Cricket’s Hamlet Adventure: Day Four–LOC, Death by Folger, and Abe
Waking up at 3 a.m. either means I am not adjusting well to the time difference or I am so excited about another day of Shakespeare I can’t wait to get going. It’s probably both. Today was especially exceptional.
I did manage to go back to sleep after working on my lesson plan that is due on Friday, but I still woke up early. The problem is museums and such don’t open until 10 a.m. and Folgerizing begins at 9 a.m. I did manage to get 15 minutes of looky-looking at the Library of Congress. Here–ooh with me:
outside entrance
ceiling
stairs leading up to gallery overlooking reading room
Amazing, eh? I applied for my reading card on-line and needed to pick it up. Unfortunately, that was at the Madison building across the street and I was now out of time. Nicholas Cage made it look way too easy popping into the LOC to check out
books during his National Treasure stint. I’m determined to spend more time there. I guess I’m foregoing lunch tomorrow at the corner bistro.
Other highlights of the day:
- Handling rare books and diving into further Shakespeare research.
- Practicing for our upcoming group scene–I dibbsed Horatio for Act Five, Scene Five. I have always appreciated Horatio’s quiet dedication to Hamlet.
- Learning how to sword fight from a Shakespearan actor, and we were all filmed for an upcoming documentary highlighting the Folger Academy.
- We then received lines and “died” on the Folger Library lawn.
- I couldn’t end the day so easily, so I roused myself and trotted off to the Lincoln Memorial. I would probably still be walking if I hadn’t come across a DC bike rack. I rented the bike for the very reasonable amount of $8.00 for 24 hours and trekked down the path. At 9:30 at night it was teeming with tours, families, and people of all ages and walks of life. I can’t imagine what it must be like during the day.
The Lincoln Memorial was a prime directive on my touristy checklist. When I finally got up the steps I got the wobbly little smile and that welling of tears that comes with being reunited with a dear friend. Abraham Lincoln’s memorial is beyond description. His presence is both comforting and mesmerizing. I wanted to hang out for awhile to absorb and reflect but energy, darkness, finding my way home all pressed upon me. Here are the pics:
I did arrive back to the hotel safely, although a bit drenched with the effects of humidity. When it’s 84 degrees at 10 pm, you can imagine day temps are a bit overwhelming.
So this Hamlet quote is devoted to the DC Bike folk:
“For this relief much thanks.”
Pam Webb 
You must have been in heaven at the Library of Congress! And you got to polish your sword fighting skills which will come in handy during the school year, no doubt.
Yup. This year we are going to enact Hamlet’s duel.
It sounds so fun! I was recently following (and writing and talking) about the “should we teach Shakespeare” debate, so it’s nice to find a teacher who is investing some serious time into teaching him well!
Very jealous of the sword-fighting! That’s been a life-long dream.
It’s amazing!
Oh, what a day, what a day! I’m completely green. Tears, always at the Lincoln Memorial. The brother of an old boyfriend once sang “A Change is Gonna Come” there while we walked through. It was very late at night, and it was quite moving. No one else was around, and I couldn’t help but cry. Memories.
Would love to have seen you all learning to swordfight and then die on the lawn!
definitely ‘ooooo-ing’ with you :-O that looks impressive! enjoy every moment over there!
Thanks! I am 😄