AP Language Arts Trip 2012 by Kelsey Devasure

A lovely view of London. Photo by Kelsey Devasure.

      Many people would like to travel the world, everyone has that one foreign place that they have always wanted to go to. For me that place was England. Last year Mrs. Anthony and Mrs. Hays announced that they would be sponsoring an A.P. English trip and go all the way to England. Everyone was invited that met the criteria, of course I signed up.

     What was perhaps the most surprising thing was how different the two countries really are. When I first though of going to England I thought gloom, British accents, and royalty. While you do encounter many British accents, they all sound a little different depending on the region. And gloom is definitely present in England, though it is accompanied by freezing temperatures and relentless pop up downpours.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Photo by Kelsey Devasure.

    Royalty is another story, they are very much a monarchy, even if the Queen no longer rules. “Queen Elizabeth II's Regime” is displayed in all important places. But, while we were there, they held a parade in which the whole royal family was carried down the streets in horse drawn carriages. Of course we have nothing like that, or the crown jewels in America.

     Now, if you were the average American who eats many fried and preserved foods it is likely that you either die of starvation or your body would go into some sort of shock. The food there is either very light, sandwiches, tea, etc. or very, very dense; haggis, lamb, some sort of beef looking thing. In addition to having different foods than America, you had probably better not hope to wash down their interesting food choices with a tall ice cold glass of soda. The old countries do not use ice in their drinks, and the cups are the size of Dixie cups used here to brush your teeth. (okay, maybe a bit bigger) And I certainly hope you don't need a refill because it will be another five pounds.

"Can you say, Olympics?" Photo by Kelsey Devasure

    Bringing up the next point, British money is worth much more thank American money. While I was there I withdrew 50 pounds from my bank account and it ending up converting to cost me $86 dollars. You felt like you were getting a deal when you paid a pound for a candy bar, but really you just paid about $1.75. I wish I had been a British person coming to America, I would have felt rich.

     “Across the pond” there is a whole different world, these are just a few differences. Experiencing a new culture can be enriching if not shocking too, you may be surprised by how the country you dream of visiting does things differently.