Travel Times

Just a reminder: we'll be departing Boston Logan, American Airlines flight 108, Monday May 21, 705 PM and arriving Heathrow 635 AM. Return from Heathrow June 1 (and June 8) will be via AA flight 155, leaving 605 PM and arriving Logan 820 PM.

Plan to arrive 2 hours earlier than flight time -- check-in in Boston is particularly rough since 9/11 and Heathrow has become exceedingly strict since August.

Prepare for jet lag! We lose 5 hours going over; your aim will be to stay on your feet and moving until at least early evening Tuesday the 22nd. If you do, you will be over jet lag by Wednesday morning. Sleep on the plane as much as possible. Turn your watch to London time as soon as we get on the plane (and get up really early Monday the 21st).

Claiming a Topic

I am going to choose the Tower of London and I'm going to name it "Death at the Tower of London". It was either that or Jack the Ripper so I figured this could be more fun exploring the tower with all the history there. There could possibly be some ghosts there too ;-)

Courtney

I've got my topic!

Comrades,

I have decided to make my topic "Pub History & Culture". During my tour we will be visiting at least one pub.

Cheerios,

Omar

Claiming my topic before someone else takes it...

I'm not sure of exactly where we are going, or what we could choose as our "tour" places, but I was talking with my Grandmother who is from England, and she told me that Madame Tussauds Wax Museum was really awesome. If I can do this as my tour guide assignment that would be awesome.

Also, I think that myself, Omar, Matt, and Charlie are going to rent a car at Enterprise in Albany, drive it to Logan, and drop it off. It was about $80 for the day, so we figured that was not too expensive. Just as idea for anyone else who doesn't know what to do about transportation.

Thats it for now...

Aaron

Meeting Tuesday

Our next organizational meeting will be Tuesday, May 1, at 4.00. We will gather around the conference table outside my office. Bring your passport if you have not already given me a copy. Review the emailed itinerary before the meeting, which includes roommate assignments, and bring any questions you have. I will have a sign up sheet for the tour topics (I will post possible topics in the next day or so).

Transportation to Boston

I will have 3 available seats in my car for anyone who wants to ride with me and my boyfriend to Logan airport. We can all pitch in for gas money. It's a new Honda Accord so the gas mileage is pretty decent. Keep in mind that we will have 4-5 people with luggage in the car and we may not fit if there is too much luggage. If you're interested, call me at 518-210-4010 or reply to the blog. See you soon!! - Jessica

Passports

Don't forget that you need to bring to me either your passport or a copy of the relevant pages (with your name and passport number) as soon as possible. As there have been horror stories of late in passport processing times, it may be useful to pass along one possible alternative: The Boston Passport Agency. If you do not receive your passport within 14 days of our departure, you will need to travel to Boston with all the relevant documents (yes, duplicates of documents you have already submitted). If you are concerned about the timing, be sure to check the status of your passport.

You may be able to worm your way onto a flight without a passport, but you will not be allowed to enter Britain without one. They will put you on another flight out of Heathrow that day. Your money for the trip will not be refunded.

Packing, Driving & Reading

Things to keep in mind: you will carry your own luggage. There are many stairs, long corridors, uneven surfaces, etc. on the way. Best bet: mid-size luggage with wheels as well as a shoulder bag for carry on. Luggage gets lost -- consider packing an extra set of underwear in your carry on. Medications should be with you in the cabin for the same reason. Buy a bottle of water in the airport. Staying hydrated is the best way to avoid catching a cold in the recirculated air of the cabin. If you are thinking of bringing electronics to entertain you on the flight, remember that recharging will require an adapter (and the difference in current will fry some delicate electronics).

Don't forget the new 3-1-1 rule. It is strictly enforced. While you will be able to take on a personal item (handbag, laptop case, etc.) as well as a carry on piece of luggage when we leave Boston, returning from Heathrow you can only take ONE carry on. Either your "personal item" must fit inside your carry on or one of them must be checked. No exceptions.

Some of us have been discussing carpooling to Boston Logan. We probably need three cars altogether (I believe Jessica has volunteered her boyfriend's car). Respond here if you might be able to volunteer. If you want to drive and leave your car, we can share the cost of parking.

Readings: You will find it advantegeous to have completed the readings prior to the beginning of our rather intensive class time.

• Day 1 (11:40 am - 3:45 pm, Monday, May 14) we will be discussing Beowulf in depth as well as delving into other Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Read 3-96, 109-135
• Day 2 (May 15) Arthuriana 163-258
• Day 3 (May 16) Julian & Margery 508-531, 559-591
• Day 4 (May 17) Medieval drama 531-559, 631-657
• BRING YOUR TEXT WITH YOU on the trip. Consider reading your Chaucer assignment (293-466) on the flight. It will form the bulk of our focus during the trip.

Final Deposit Due

Your final deposit of $800 should be directed to the Bursar's Office ASAP (and no later than April 10). Our bookings are getting firmed up, so we will need to pay the complete costs very soon. It looks like rather than the Montana we will probably be at the Royal National which is where I stayed with students last year. One slight change: rooms of threes rather than fours, but since we have 12 this works well. Still very spartan accommodations, but very conveniently located one block from the Russell Square tube station and a couple of blocks from the British Museum, where we'll be spending a bit of time.

Scheduling details:

May 22 will be jet lag day; to keep us moving we'll be using our Hop On/Hop Off tickets to get a sense of where things are in London.

May 24 will be our visit to Roding Valley HS. Please dress to impress that day.

May 29, 30 or 31st for Othello at the Globe: any preferences?