Proms in the Park (Sept. 7th)

Today was a busy, busy day!  Tonight we went to Proms in the Park (in Hyde Park) which was just amazing.  Such a special experience, and not at all what I was expecting.  Making Professor Pound proud all the way across the pond! 

When I first found out that we were going to Proms in the Park from our class syllabus, I honestly had no idea what it was--so obviously I googled it.  After some quick research, I found out that it was a essentially a big, outdoor concert that thousands of people attended each year.  WAIT, I thought, does that mean I get to see a British orchestra performing (probably) some of my favorite pieces?? Why yes, Larissa, yes indeed! And that was just the start of it.

I had no idea so many people would be in attendance, or what a patriotic event it was.  I don't think I have ever seen so many Union Jacks in one place-in the air, on trees, on PEOPLE…everywhere.  Talk about festive!  Walking around the park before the event started, you could physically feel the excitement and energy from everyone who was there.  People were genuinely excited to be there, and their enthusiasm was contagious-all I wanted to do was run around and dance! (not that that is unusual for me…)  

 

[SO many people!!!]

We had a little picnic for dinner (so much happiness!!) with our whole group, and sat around waiting for things to pick up.  Haley, Rachel and I walked around for a bit creeping on people and trying to figure out what was going on…I wish I had been wearing more festive attire!  I did wear blue though, so I guess that counts for something-more patriotic than most of the group could say for themselves, anyways.   

 

How could Amanda and I NOT kite the flag-clad tree??  It had to be done.  Once the music got started, we wandered up closer to the stage to get a better look-people were going crazy.  I'm talking flag waving, sitting on people's shoulders, drinking like there was no tomorrow….quite the event.  I loved it!  I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time, and I was totally jamming out by the end of the night.  No shame.

As for the rest of the Dickinson group: it's kind of hard not to stand out when there is such a large group sitting together, obviously out of place, kind of confused as to what is going on…not to mention the accents!  We got some stares for sure, BUT had a great time.  We all kind of lost it when The Beatles tribute band came out and started singing.  Hearing Hey Jude in that environment, with that crowd….it was honestly so magical.  We were all swaying together and singing-the people sitting next to us were laughing at first, but then they eventually joined in and it was AWESOME.  Such a great sense of community and spirit!   

xx