I dont have a car, I walk to work...from work....out to shop...buy food...go out....basically I spend alot of time outside. Also, the buildings are old here. They are not meant to be heated. There is always some sort of draft, and the spots by the fire place are always taken. So Ive taken to wearing layers and warming by the radiator. So much for the saying " But your from Canada, you must be used to the warmth!?"
Well, thats my moan for this blog. Moving on....things have been pretty uneventful here to be honest. Alot of working, and just chillin. Halloween was beyond Stef and I this year. Couldn't be bothered to dress up and go clubbing with people seven years our junior. So instead, we stayed in with our boyfriends...craved pumpkins...and handed out some candy. That and we had to work anyways....ya....thats our excuse.
Thankfully, we had bonfire night to look forward to. A British custom held dearer to the English then any Halloween. All through November and the end of October, Bonfire nights are held around the country. There are different reasons for each small village to have there bonfire nights. There are societys, parades, marches, fires and best of all, fireworks. The biggest one happens to be held in Lewes. Which happens to be a 20 min bus ride from Brighton.
Our British blokes brought up the idea awhile ago...convincing us it will be a night to remeebr. So we booked off the day, got our tickets and went. Lewes bonfire night is held of Novermber 5, or Guy Fawkes night. Basically Guy Fawkes is a bloke from the 17th century, who tried to burn down parliment. He caused a great stir in the people, they hated him. The english wanted him dead....and Pope Paul the 5th burnt him at the stake. Since that fateful day, a bonfire is held on the same day each year...where people make stick figures of Guy Fawkes and throw him in the bonfire. Sounds morbid? It kinda is..
Stef and Jake came into town early and had a lovely breakfast at James. I cooked and I didnt burn down the house. The fact it was edible impressies me. Then we headed into Lewes. Lewes is one of my favorite places to be. A small medieval town stuck in time. It has charming little streets, independent shops and a quiant feel. I love it.
However, on this day it was filled with people. Every year up to 60,000 people come on this night. As well, all the shops were boarding up wood around there windows...what were we in for?
We spent the day at a small little pub right by the canal...the weather was beautiful...more then we could have asked for. Later Trish, Taylor and their friend James showed up. We spent the day enjoying the town and having some food. Then the parade began. Down the main street were tons for lit torches, people in period costume...it reminded me of the riot scene in Beauty and the Beast.
Then came the banners, "God Save the Queen", "Let Guy Die" and " Burn the Pope". Right...ok?
Then there were the controversal floats, like Angela Merkel making the Nazi salute....Im guessing political correctness is not there strong point. Then came the burning tar barrels they threw in the canaal. Im not entirely sure what all of this meant...but it was fun to watch.
Everywhere you went....there was fire and fireworks.....you would be just standing there and all of a sudden someone would throw a pop cracker at your foot. It was terrifying. Nosie and fire everywhere...it was quite an experience.
Then it was time for the final event. We headed out to the field to watch the bonfire. This was no fire with everyone standing around...this was a show. A large wooden statue of Guy Fawkes was blown up, then on a near by statue was a man playing Pope Paul the 5th...with everyone telling him to burn while they throw fire crackers at him....and the statue was aflame. The "Pope" was inside with a microphone egging them on. I dont know why he wasnt hurt...it was mental.
After the explosions came my favorite part...the firewoks. I have never seen such impressive fireworks in my life. They were out of control. I can not even explain how beautiful they were. And they went on for a full 30min. I couldnt believe it.
Overall, it was a great experience shared with amazing people. It was better then any Halloween spent in the clubs. And Im so glad we had the chance to experience such a morbid, weird, authentic, interesting British tradition.
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