Plymouth, MA

Aug 23

Last piece of blog from the USA.

Stayed in the Plymouth area yesterday and did the history bit. So educational, the British should come here and see how interactive history can be! First stop Mayflower II. The master of the ship (actors in both costume and 17 century character) was brilliant. His knowledge of the time I don't think could be surpassed and, to add to the atmosphere the characters will only talk to you as if you are indeed in 1620. A fascinating insight to the journey across the Atlantic and what the Englishmen (as they like to be referred to) encountered on landing. Contrary to popular belief not all passengers were escaping religious persecution, some came purely for economic reasons, not unlike today. Of the 102 who sailed from England only 60 survived the first winter! Life expectancy was not high!

Onto Plimouth Plantation, another marvellous re-enactment of the times. The Wamapoag (think the spelling is correct) is peopled by the tribesmen and women of today who will talk about their ancestors and how they lived with a small village built to demonstrate this beautifully and the English village, like the Mayflower, has characters in costume and time only, including the children who will address you in the speech of 1627. Again, this is how history should be taught.

Today, sadly we make our way to the airport and the UK. More when we get there.