Here today, in London tomorrow, and off to Morocco the day after! I've been a busy bee, but I guess that's more or less status quo. Speaking of 'bees'---I've just learned this and wish to share it:
Did you know that bee pollen is a near perfect food? It contains twenty two amino acids (so is a good source of protein), twenty-seven minerals and all known vitamins, in particular the B vitamins, including the elusive B12. If you were stranded on a desert island, and had nothing but bee pollen and water you could survive.
Bee pollen is particularly agreeable because of its convenience: it tastes sweet like honey, so is easy to give to children and very good value too. Every time we get stressed in our daily lives, it depletes our B-vitamins; taking a spoonful or two of pollen is a great way to boost our reserves, help us get over the stress and start buzzing again!
The granules are gathered within the National Biosphere reserve of the Danube delta in Romania. The Danube delta is one of the richest and most diverse nature reserves in Europe and is home to more than 5,500 species of flora and fauna - it was designated a 'World Heritage Site' by UNESCO in 1990. The delta is a pristine, pollution free environment, which is essential for the quality of the bee pollen.
A recommended dosage is to begin with one teaspoon of granules daily, and build up over days or weeks until you are noticing a definite boost in your energy levels! I’ve just bought some and I usually sprinkle it over my porridge each morning.
So YES I've been learning lots, and I daresay the past three months could even be considered a bit of an 'Elise enlightenment'; academics have been awesome, but I believe several successive successful completions of Sudoku puzzles and a homemade white Béchamel sauce are my two latest and greatest achievements! I'm also in the midst of writing my first report for Rotary International, and I thought you may enjoy reading my response to the following Q.---What are your first impressions of your host country and community?
I said:
At first glance England didn’t appear to be all that distinct from the United States. In fact, when I arrived I initially thought I’d adjusted quite quickly! Of course there were obvious divergences; here, cars drive on the left-hand side of the road and words are often pronounced differently or even carry alternative meanings. For example, when someone asks for “Lou” in the U.S. they are most likely looking for a person, where in England, the “loo” is an informal reference to the toilet! My hapless roommate from Maine made this inaugural mistake, and corrected a British gentleman saying “Oh no, my name’s Julia!”
It was only after a few weeks that I began to notice certain nuances, which compiled together, created a contrasting culture unique to anything I’ve ever encountered. And indubitably, almost everyday now I find I’m exposed to another dynamic dimension of ‘Englishness’ that catches me by surprise. These realizations stem from multiple sources, and have sometimes arisen out of embarrassing experiences due to previous erroneous assumptions. A brief word of caution to future travelers who are England bound; please note that ‘locker’ and ‘changing’ rooms do not necessarily refer to the same place. Where ‘locker’ facilities are almost always communal, the ‘changing’ areas are separated by sex.
Then, by far my favorite events in foreign countries are festivals; they simultaneously give great insight into illustrating a country’s historical traditions and contemporary culture. Every year on the 5th of November England celebrates Bonfire Night, which remembers an infamous fellow, Guy Fawkes, and his failed attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605. This narrative may sound vaguely familiar, as the recently released movie ‘V for Vendetta’ was roughly based on it. A little town called Lewes located twenty minutes by train from Brighton is said to be the best place for Bonfire Night, and this year I was there! The evening commenced with wild fanfare, where local men, women and children dressed head to toe in elaborate costumes and paraded through the streets carrying live torches and lighting a litany of firecrackers. Interspersed among the marchers were huge effigies filled with fireworks for the after party. Guy Fawkes of course is a consistent theme, and the other towering constructs annually change. This year George Bush and the late Steve Irwin were also represented, and I’m still asking myself exactly why. Post-parade people followed their favorite effigy into surrounding fields where they were then sparked aglow; burning alongside the most massive bonfire I’ve ever seen! The sticks were piled at least 15 feet high, and the hot blaze was felt from at least the same distance away. Since I’ve arrived in England this night has been my most memorable experience, and I can hardly wait to see what other fantastic festivals I’ll find myself mesmerized by in the near future.
Right-o, I'm off to University for a lecture and study session. Tonight's jazz and then I must get packing! Much love ya!
