Figs and Fudge

Yes Daddy! I've noticed that about people in the rain! It makes me laugh. The other thing that cracks me up is when people trip and then look very intently behind them like, "What in the world just tripped me?" as if it matters, now that you're flat on your face.

Today was the most beautiful day we've had here yet. The next 3 are supposed to be very sunny and warm, a wonderful weekend! I started out my day reading in the square. In the middle of campus there is a square with steps leading down into it, like an amphitheatre. It's like the quad on a New England Campus, people sit on the steps and read and eat lunch and drink coffee and talk to friends, and sometimes people play guitar in the middle. I had a great time reading in the sun with my coffee and people watching (GREAT outfits).

After lecture Olivia and Chloe and I took the bus into the city. We went a little further down than I've ever been, to the open air markets. There is a giant castle (a real, live castle, with towers and high, high stone walls!) sitting on top of a hill, and below it are these markets, so you feel very medieval! They've been there for 900 years! There were tons of little stands where you could buy anything you desired: postcards, fudge, hot dogs, sausage, fish and chips, pleather jackets, gold watches, jewelery, piggy banks, tutus, purses, gloves, scarves. You name it. There was a spice vendor that was selling every kind of spice in big glass jars. You asked for some and she poured it onto a scale and put it in a little paper bag for you. It smelled delicious and spicy. There was a cheeseman and a butcher, and a man who only sold linked sausage. Next door was a candy booth, with the brightest colored fudge and marshmallows and gummy candies. They sold some boxes you could send home to family. "Grandpa's Gift" featured a car, a fishing pole, and a motorcycle. "Mother's Gift" was all decorated in pastel tulips. These boxes were very dusty, and looked like they'd been hanging there for a while. We bought some coffee fudge.
They also had so many fruits and vegetable stands full of fresh veggies. Bunches of orange carrots, figs, Chestnuts, peppers, boxes of brussell sprouts. Olivia made me buy a fig because I've never had one before. It was good but didn't really taste like Fig Newtons at all. Daddy, I kept thinking of you because I thought you would love to be in that market. Think of all the recipes you could make using those veggies and cheeses and meats and spices! Also you and Grandpa and Connor would be in heaven, because every other booth sells hotdogs and chips (french fries). In case you don't like Deb's Deli, you can turn around and eat at Charlie's Tea Stall (which did not, in fact, sell any tea).
There are also lots of regular clothing stores all around. Norwich has some of the best shopping. Many stores were having sales so we bought a few essential things (like leopard print dresses and scarves).

I love it here so much. The city has so much character, and it's not full of tourists because no one knows about it. The UEA gets a bit of flack because it is really ugly, all done in cement because the architect did it in the Brutalist style, but the students are very defensive of it. I actually like that it's kind of ugly. It's like the ugly puppy dog that no one wants but who people grow to love best of all.

Mama, I hope one day you make it back here with me. You would just die, you'd love it so much. Yesterday the bus drove by a little school that was painted blue called "Bluebell Primary School." It was on Lovelace Road. I imagine that if you have to go to school it is best to go to Bluebell Primary on Lovelace Road, where all the teachers probably smell like applesauce and give out shiny stickers for good behavior.