Appalachia 2

Dear Colin,


Berkeley Springs is known for being a spa town, like I have already said.  It has these natural springs that have been the center place of the town for years-- since 1776 even. 

The springs-- photo from the Berkeley Springs Facebook page

There are fountains for people to fill up their water bottles  and other things-- great for tourists. What is super funny though is how locals will bring their big gallon jugs out, by the dozen, to fill up for their homes.  I also saw a large truck pull up to fill up the humongous water container in the back.  Some homes have the water from the springs come through their tap, but then it has traveled through  chlorination process-- it is best coming from these fountains. They also have these pools in the park where the water just "springs" forth at 74 degrees.


Being here I have noticed that there is this interesting contrast in the town.  Some buildings are picturesque and well-kept, but some are in total disrepair--right next to each other.  Same with the sidewalks-- some areas aren't even paved, and others have this new stone walkways, paved around trees, etc.  It's also interesting that the town is this tourist destination, you know, with a typical main street.  However, there isn't a highway bypass, so this one lane main street is the only road for truckers and road-trippers.  What should be a cute stroll around downtown is interrupted by the semi's that are driving through town.  And yet, those who are promoting the town as a tourist destination maintain that the contrast is sometimes what people see as charming.  Not exactly my first idea of charming, but the longer I am here, the more I can see the appeal.


Our work here is documentary-- we are basically interviewing anyone in the community.  We interviewed the liberal, self-proclaimed historian of Berkeley Springs, who maintains that she is the agent of change here, and now is a "pillar of the community." Which technically is true.  We interviewed the editor of the local newspaper, a past director of the city Arts Council, and a past city councilman/sherriff-- whose family has been here since the beginning of the town, getting land grants in the 1770s.  There were more, and we have several more interviews to conduct before we leave.  Lots and lots of time listening to people talk about the town and their lives in it.


Best part of our time here-- our spa afternoon today!  It is part of the tourist experience, and we are supposed to keep our folklorist-researcher-hat on as we are there.  So it is homework.


But it is still a massage. :)


Love

Appalachia

Dear Colin, 

I am in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia right now.  On a school trip.  Some people in my Appalachian Folklore class signed up to take a weeklong trip to a small town in West Virginia to do a documentation project.  

Welcome to Berkeley Springs.

It is a rural town that has been a tourist destination for hundreds of years— began the 1770’s.  It is known for its natural springs, and developed as a spa town ever since. In the past few years, it has really been marketing itself as an artsy town as well— working in the spa, arts, and rural quality of the town.  It is also nice that it is less than a 2 hour drive from Washington D.C. so a lot of people from this area travel here for a getaway weekend. 

I’m having fun. 

Missing you.

To tell you the story of the accident on Monday—  We are driving two minivans.  There are 8 students and 1 teacher on this trip. On Monday, we were driving to a neighboring town to just take a look at it.  In the process of driving back, I ended up in the van that was leading the way.  When we were turning right onto a busy road, the second van ran into us. 

The student that was driving the second van ran into the professor’s van.  Incidentally, that student is a professional limo driver.  Cool.

We had to push our van across the road to a conveniently placed restaurant, as large semi trucks came barreling towards us in the other lane of traffic.  There was also a dead cat pancaked on the road. 

No one was really hurt.  I have a sore neck.  But I’ve never been in an accident on a school trip before.  You know, besides the plane exploding and flames streaming behind the engine on our trip to China.  But you were asleep for that…

There may be more stories to come.

Love you.

Academic Aims

This year of school has been great.  Really.  I was excited to leave BYU and go on to do other things, other surroundings.  However, I have realized there are a lot of things that I miss about BYU.  I made a list of a few:


- Dress code-- I feel like a grandmother walking on campus in the Spring.  What was once a fashionable t-shirt and jean capri's is now way too much clothing.  Spaghetti straps and shorts that just barely cover your bottom is still in style.  Even for actual grandmothers. (it's true, no exaggeration)
- No Smoking-- I am at an institution for higher education.  Doesn't that mean that everyone knows that smoking is bad for you?
- No Swearing--I miss hearing clean language.  
- Crude Humor--I don't think I've gone one week of classes where I haven't had to subject myself to jokes/discussions on sex and related topics. Most in bad taste.  A lot of times brought up by the teacher.  I miss the feeling of respect with regards to those subjects that my classes at BYU had.  Of course, it came up there, but was handled with a lot more tact and respect.
- Security-- the library here doesn't even have a security guard.  And half of the collection is held in the main student building--by the food court, book store, general admission offices, etc.  It is out in the open.  You  have to get your books and then walk into the secure area to check them out.  Books are stolen all the time.  I feel that they can't complain if they aren't being smart about it.
- Folkdancers-  I miss having dorky friends.
- Prayer-- not every class would start and end with a prayer at BYU.  However, activities always did.  I just had a final that included dinner and socializing--and the whole thing felt like the awkward--we can't start because we haven't prayed yet--phase of beginnings of activities at BYU. Plus there was alcohol.


There are a lot of reasons why BYU isn't perfect.  However, the general spirit of the university is in the right place--to create an environment of higher learning that seeks to spiritually strengthen, intellectually enlarge, and build character. And I miss that part...




NEWSFLASH--


****I'M FAMOUS!****
Guess who is the face of the International Folk Dance Ensemble on the BYU Performing Arts Management webpage?!  That's right! (it's one of many, but it's me!!!)