I'm conscious and able to concentrate, so here is the post I've promised about my unbelievably amazing trip to Jane Austen's house yesterday!If you know me at all, you know that Jane Austen is my all-time favorite author. I read Pride and Prejudice at least twice a year; its subtle satirical social commentary is brilliant and waxes poetic. No one writes like that anymore. :(
This being said, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that her house--which has been turned into a museum for the public--was a mere train ride away in Chawton, Hampshire. A day that promised to be boring was turned into one of literary enrichment and--shall I say?--almost undue excitement. Seriously, we're talking paper bag hyperventilation here.
I went with three other English majors from the Study Abroad program--Jessica, Kendyl, and 
Briann, all of whom were almost as excited as I. The train left late morning, so we were at our destination around noon. None of us had had a proper breakfast and I knew we wouldn't enjoy the trip if our stomachs were empty, so we decided to grab lunch before going inside the house museum. Across the street from the Chawton residence was a quaint, very British tea shop, complete with decorative tea cups hanging on hooks from the ceiling. We each ordered--what else?--a pot of tea and a sandwich. I also had a scone topped with clotted cream and jam that was delectable...and I know I sound like such a snob right now!
Briann, all of whom were almost as excited as I. The train left late morning, so we were at our destination around noon. None of us had had a proper breakfast and I knew we wouldn't enjoy the trip if our stomachs were empty, so we decided to grab lunch before going inside the house museum. Across the street from the Chawton residence was a quaint, very British tea shop, complete with decorative tea cups hanging on hooks from the ceiling. We each ordered--what else?--a pot of tea and a sandwich. I also had a scone topped with clotted cream and jam that was delectable...and I know I sound like such a snob right now!After lunch came the fun part! I couldn't have stopped smiling if you paid me. Just walking into the entryway was amazing when I thought that Jane Austen had stepped through that very door! I was taken down from heaven momentarily upon learning that we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, though. Bummer, but oh well. Life can't be perfect, can it? But it can get pretty close!
There were a lot of little plaques and drawings on the 
walls, describing certain aspects of life in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Some of the rooms were set up exactly as they had been back in the day, while others were set more like the museum it had become. They had also provided several examples of period clothing on dummies around the rooms. We were all especially excited about Jane Austen's little writing table set near the window. It was painfully small but authentic, the real table that she handwrote her stories upon every night. Several letters were also hung on the wall, written in her own hand--though I couldn't read the thin, spidery letters. But who cares?
walls, describing certain aspects of life in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Some of the rooms were set up exactly as they had been back in the day, while others were set more like the museum it had become. They had also provided several examples of period clothing on dummies around the rooms. We were all especially excited about Jane Austen's little writing table set near the window. It was painfully small but authentic, the real table that she handwrote her stories upon every night. Several letters were also hung on the wall, written in her own hand--though I couldn't read the thin, spidery letters. But who cares?And of course, there was a gift shop and a bookshop, which for me was like throwing a steak in front of a starving man. I found it hard not to go crazy in my purchases. As it was, I bought several postcards, a cross-stitching set with a picture of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, and some stationary. I had to keep reminding myself that I'll be back during spring break, when Jenn and I go on our literary trip around England. Even so, it was nearly painful when it came time to leave. After a quick tour around the garden, though, we had to leave in order to catch the bus back to the train station. I just can't wait to return with Jenn, who I know will be just as excited as I was--and still am!
Now I really can't wait to go!!!
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