Dancing in the Streets

Our first full weekend in Nottingham began with...another class.  Or a class-like thing.  At any rate, we had to be on campus by 10.  We met our teachers for the day, Lloyd and Imad, who chatted with us about the various places we come from and how globalization has (or, as in most of our cases, hasn't) spread to those areas.  This was an aspect of our communities several of us had rarely thought of before, so I thought it was interesting to try to describe my hometown to someone in terms of diversity and globalization of culture.

Spontaneous dance number - go!

After this introductory conversation, we went to catch the tram to an area of Nottingham known as Hyson Green, where we would wander and observe the various cultures that shared the once-affluent neighborhood.  However, as we approached the tram stop, we heard some jazzy music and noticed a crowd of energetic people.  An impromptu dance performance had sprung up - and within a few songs, our whole group found ourselves pulled into the ring and dancing along!  We just sort of made it up as we went, having fun with it, and when the tram pulled up just as the song ended and the group dispersed.  Normally when I see that sort of thing happen in the States, I stand back and let others participate.  But this morning I figured, why not?

When we got to Hyson Green we were all still pretty energized from our dance party, so we set off exploring the surrounding blocks in high spirits.  Lloyd and Imad had told us to play "Spot the Stars and Stripes," since very few Americans live in the area, and also to seek out the weirdest thing for sale we could find.  In my opinion, the hot mango mint sauce in the ethnic supermarket was the strangest thing we saw.  How does one make mango and mint spicy, and why would one then put it on food?!

Scarves, purses, jewelry, rugs, fabrics, all hung out to buy.

A few of us bought scarves and jewelry at an open air market, then various sweets with names we couldn't pronounce at a small shop a few blocks down.  There were so many colors everywhere, from the skirts and fabrics on display in the market to the somehow-not-clashing pink and green sign above a store.  Eventually we headed back to where Lloyd and Imad were waiting at the New Art Exchange, but not before spotting the Stars and Stripes on a scarf, a Maryland Chicken sign, and someone's socks!  We spent the rest of the early afternoon chatting and eating at the Art Exchange cafe.

The rugs and scarves were truly beautiful.

Most of the group went to check out a skate park we had discovered earlier, but I went back to the flat.  Unfortunately, my hives had returned, so I called Lauren, who was very helpful and told me where to go to the pharmacy for some more allergy stuff.  The others went out to dinner and then to a comedy club, but I was annoyed with my allergies and wasn't feeling particularly sociable, so I stayed in the flat to read that great book I started (a whole week ago!) on the plane.  Hopefully the rest of the weekend is more like the jazzy fun of this morning and less like the headaches of this afternoon.