Libera Dreams

Ok, so here's a "UK Topic," since we have some people sprinkled about who share that great love for Britain that mystifies people inside and outside of the UK alike...

Some questions, then, to talk about--

* Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others?
* Have you ever been?
* What drew you to the UK in the first place?

...and/or anything else worthwhile.

Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others?
You know, I don't know exactly... I love the rolling, green hills of the English countryside, (so beautiful!) and they value good music over there. Boy choirs galore! Over here in the US, everything like that is "for the experience", and they all sound really bad because the kids have no vocal training.

Have you ever been? I wish I hope that when I'm in college I can do a semester overseas, in London!

What drew you to the UK in the first place? Hmmm.... I think it was those lovely, little boys who are so real! The more I learn about the UK, its traditions and the way of life over there, the more I want to live there!

kjackson83, are you going to answer your own questions?

libera36 wrote:kjackson83, are you going to answer your own questions?

Yes, I suppose I should

I love Britain for...
* ...the appreciation for culture from top to bottom: nobody on this earth does more for classical music (and music in general) than the British. No one. From the big institutions like the BBC Proms to the overabundance of cathedral choirs (most of them far older than European knowledge of the "new world") to the huge number of local and grassroots ensembles, societies, and world-famous-choirs-in-unassuming-south-London-churches--the British work harder and spend more than anyone else on earth to preserve "good music" and pass on a love for it to the next generation.

And on the note of 'culture,' a major factor behind my personal Britophilia is the British Broadcasting Corporation (while the Britons on the board laugh--yes, I'm looking at you, kthomp! ). The BBC are the most high-minded and professional news/arts/entertainment institution in the world: the United States only wishes we had something as cool and as useful as the BBC.

* ...its history: British history begins at some point a few centuries before the construction of the Great Pyramid of Khufu and, unlike Khufu's Egypt, has yet to end. England in particular is so freakin' full of history, they've just stopped marking and/or protecting some of it because so many things would be under protection. For an American (as I am), British history isn't just amazing, it's literally overwhelming.

This board's membership is a wonderful testament to the lasting impact of the British role in the world: we have members across the world, from Britain, Ireland, the US, and Canada, to New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, and (I think) India. What do all these places have in common? They were once part of the British Empire--not always a good thing, but definitely a history that still unites a large part of the world.

* ...the people: I love the British--they're idealistic, but also realistic; they still (largely) respect one another and display that most singularly important of values: fairminded tolerance. I love Libera in large part because they project the best of Britain and her culture around the world: an intense love of the arts coupled with humble, communal origins and all wrapped up in an atmosphere of tolerance--what comparable church music organisation (if there were one) in the United States could possibly handle such a diversity of backgrounds and religious beliefs as Libera have? The British are a modest, self-deprecating people--such a difference from the rampant consumerism and "I me my" culture in my own country...I love the good-natured pessimism of the British and their acceptance of almost anything with a show of resolute acquiescence: this is the people, after all, who endured the Blitz during WWII.


* ...the Anglican Church: This is my church. I am a bad Anglican (in the United States: Episcopalian), but an Anglican nonetheless. I've had a complicated existence, religiously and spiritually-speaking, but have found a home in the Church of England. Like the British as a whole, the Anglican Church's greatest strength is its tolerance and openness to differing opinions. We don't name many of our churches for the patron saint of questioners and doubters (St Thomas) for nothing...

* ...Surrey. 'Nuff said .

Have you ever been?
No: I am working on plans for possibly winter or summer of next year, though, even if I have to go completely on my own....

What drew you to the UK in the first place?
Oh dear, here it comes--honestly: the BBC. I spent a summer relying on the BBC for news (since the US news networks often forget there's a world OUTSIDE the 48 conterminous states) and concluded that it took a highly cultured nation indeed to support something as freakin' amazing as the BBC.

(:shock: sorry for the length!)

Hehe, I love long! You managed to say what I couldn't figure out how to say.... In far more simplistic ways than I could come up with. I usually use half a million words to say something that could be summed up with 2 or 3 But I shall use your knowledge of Britain (and any other person on here who might know, like those people that liiivvvveee in the UK): what exactly is a borough? Is it similar to an American county??

libera36 wrote:I usually use half a million words to say something that could be summed up with 2 or 3

Oh man--graduate school is clearly in your future, my friend!

libera36 wrote:What exactly is a borough? Is it similar to an American county??

Well, until a bona fide Briton appears to answer this, I'll give my guess:
Britain isn't large enough to have "states," especially since the island itself is divided into three distinct countries all their own. England, Scotland, and Wales are all three divided into "county authorities," which are like US counties--only with more power (this is a throwback to British history and their longstanding suspicion of powerful central government).Here is a map of all the counties in Britain (excluding Northern Ireland--sorry, folks). Counties have familiar names: Nottinghamshire (anything-shire is a county), Kent, or Surrey...

"Unitary authorities" typically govern metropolitan areas--so there are unitary authorities for cities like Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds. Other types of unitary authorities include places like the Isle of Wight (on the Channel coast). This is the Wikipedia entry for unitary authorities--it's hard to tell the difference between counties and UAs (hard for an outsider, anyway).

"Boroughs" are--I think--unique to London. The proper "City of London" consists only of a small area on the Thames where St Paul's Cathedral and the city's financial centre are located. Everything else is called Greater London and is divided into a series of boroughs, which are roughly like autonomous suburbs here in the US (map).

The boroughs are further divided into boroughs themselves--so we'll take a familiar example: St Philip's Church is in Norbury, a borough of Croydon, which is itself one of the Greater London area boroughs.

Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others? I have always been a bit of an Anglophile. I had a major crush on Princess Diana when I was younger. I like the cooler weather. In Pennsylvania, the summers are way to humid to suit me anymore. As far as a specific region, that would be Scotland as my family is of Scottish decent. I am very proud of my Scottish heritage and therefore UK heritage.


Have you ever been?
No. I would love the chance but I doubt I will ever get to go. Too costly for us poor folks.


What drew you to the UK in the first place?
The culture of the country. I love the fact that you can be interested in something other than football and not be looked down upon. I know I mentioned it in another thread about how Joseph McManners would be so looked down upon here because of his music and poetry ability.

Ahhh... I think I understand it. Or at least, somewhat... More than I did So, a borough of London is sort of like a neighborhood of London? But lets use an example as if we lived there. If I lived in Norbury *I wish* would I go to a grocery store located in Norbury, or in Croydon?? Like, is each borough a town of its own, or are all the the boroughs in Croydon "neighborhoods" of Croydon?

TEB wrote:The culture of the country. I love the fact that you can be interested in something other than football and not be looked down upon.

Hear, hear!

libera36 wrote:Ahhh... I think I understand it. Or at least, somewhat... More than I did So, a borough of London is sort of like a neighborhood of London? But lets use an example as if we lived there. If I lived in Norbury *I wish* would I go to a grocery store located in Norbury, or in Croydon?? Like, is each borough a town of its own, or are all the the boroughs in Croydon "neighborhoods" of Croydon?

You'd go to a grocery store located in both--it would be the same as going to a grocery store that's in New York and Manhattan. If it's one only, though, probably Norbury--I'm not sure how authority is delegated to the borough and sub-borough level...I do know that things are typically labelled as being from the sub-borough (thus: St Philip's, Norbury, not necessarily St Philip's, Croydon)...

* Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others? I love all areas of Britain and the surrounding country (Ireland) but most especially Cornwall and Wales, where my ancestors came from (actually they came from Brittany but oh well.) I love the fields, the hills, the mountains, and green, green landscapes. I love the history and culture most especially. The people of GB have always been brave in spite of overwhelming conflicts. They are not afraid to admit defeat nor do they backdown easily. I most especially love their accent and hope one day to lose my American-South African accent and pick up one of the English accents.
* Have you ever been? I've never been but am hoping on going just as soon as I find a new job.
* What drew you to the UK in the first place? Family and their unique stance during WWII.

Right, now I think I get it!

TEB wrote:
The culture of the country. I love the fact that you can be interested in something other than football and not be looked down upon.

Hear, hear!

Which football? Haha, no I'm kidding I'm in full agreement with you! The whole "run into each other then fight over the ball" thing completely puzzles me.

libera36 wrote:Right, now I think I get it!

TEB wrote:
The culture of the country. I love the fact that you can be interested in something other than football and not be looked down upon.

Hear, hear!

Which football? Haha, no I'm kidding I'm in full agreement with you! The whole "run into each other then fight over the ball" thing completely puzzles me.

LOL there's "football" (based around something called the "NFL")...and then there's FOOOOOT-ball (with my faux Spanish accent )...

But seriously: as much as the British adore things like rugby, football, badminton (?) and cricket (?!), you aren't looked at funny when confessing absolutely no knowledge/interest in any of the above...very different from my experience yesterday at the Wal-Mart down here:

Checker: "So--how about them 'Stros?"
Me: "....what're 'Stros?"
Checker: "You--you--you don't know the Astros?"
Me: "No."
Checker:"ARE YOU SERIOUS? THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE."
Me: "...."
Checker: "Umm...sorry....it's ok....I guess."

Grr. My other Wal-Mart is a Tesco. In Surrey. .

Checker: "So--how about them 'Stros?"
Me: "....what're 'Stros?"
Checker: "You--you--you don't know the Astros?"
Me: "No."
Checker:"ARE YOU SERIOUS? THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE."
Me: "...."
Checker: "Umm...sorry....it's ok....I guess."

*trying to contain the laughter unsuccessfully*...... That conversation is funny for 2 reasons: #1 is that this type of conversation is so common and yet so rare. #2 is that the Astros are a baseball team I only know that because my younger brother went through and obsessive time where all he could talk about was baseball, baseball and maybe a little more baseball... But at least it wasn't American football. I hate the fact that I am supposed to care about my local college football team. I don't play on the team, I don't go to the games, I don't know who the players are, I don't care about football in the least, and yet I am supposed to be a fan. As far as real football goes though (British football), I think Arsenal is a pretty darn good team

Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others?
I would have to say the history and culture. Being a history buff, there's so much to see, I've barely scratched the surface. I especially like the Roman through Saxon period the best. And of all the artifacts that have been found, who knows what still lies beneath the surface? I remember going in a book store in Canterbury and going down to the basement and finding a Roman mosaic floor that was unearthed by construction workers doing some remodeling. How cool is that?

I also have a deep admiration for the many cathedrals that dot the UK. Whether it be the more well-known ones like Durham and Gloucester, or the lesser known in smaller towns and villages, each is unique in its history and charm. As far as my favorite region, that's hard to say since I've never been disappointed in any part of the UK.

I also admire the transportation system. I laugh when I hear Brits complain about the trains. Personally, I think the UK rail system is the best in the world. Make your base in London, and you can get anywhere in the UK in a few hours - and for a reasonable price. I also try to avoid chain hotels and instead stay at a family run B&B. That's where you really get to know the locals. The people - yes, charming, polite and always willing to help with directions, recommendations, etc.

OK, I have to mention the weather. I actually like the UK weather. So it rains sometimes, big deal. That's why they make umbrellas. I'd rather stand in a drizzle looking at lush, green rolling hills than stand in the blazing sun looking at brown, dried up rolling hills.

Have you ever been? Yes. I'm on my second passport so I've lost count.

What drew you to the UK in the first place? A business trip. Little did I know that first trip to the UK on business several years ago would be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Rich

* Why do you love the UK? A specific region/part more than others? It has taken many, many years to admit that I actually love the UK as it's conditioned into us (Irish school kids) from a very young age to be a nationalist. As a result all things English are frowned upon which, for me, is not easy given that I am a huge cricket fan In fact, the likes of football, rugby and cricket were considered "garrison" sports and were banned from being played on Gaelic Association grounds. That ban was only partially lifted in 2007 to allow the Irish rugby team to play at Croke Park, which is the spiritual home of the Gaelic Games Association. Has anyone ever seen a Hurling match .... mental game !! As a result, I would be what's commonly called a "west-brit". Specifically though, London is my favourite place. It has taken many years to fully appreciate what a vibrant, thriving, active, pulsating city it is. It has something for everyone. Also, (someone else mentioned it) the public transport system is second to none despite the bad press the locals give it.
* Have you ever been? More times than I could ever possibly count . I have been visiting the UK since I was a small boy and I am still travelling there once or twice a month on business.
* What drew you to the UK in the first place? I have family spread throughout the British Isles and it was from those summer and Christmas holidays with the extended family in Somerset, Worcestershire, the Lake district and Kent that drew me there.