England: Jeremy Alfred (Participant Observation)
Program: UW Global Launch in London
I woke up earlier than usual, one fall morning, to go sit on a bench deep within Hyde Park. I hadn’t often been stationary there, as I was always either walking, running, or biking through it, however it felt relaxing and different to be there without moving around.
I had chosen a spot I had never visited before, which was a big area with a couple different fountains spewing water into the sky. As I sat there, I noticed the many people in the park on this Saturday morning who were relaxing like me, some laying against trees and others staring at the same blue water. I saw dogs running around enjoying their time in the wild, some pups even hopping into the fountain for a dip.
It was a peaceful day, one of the last warm ones too, before the cold eventually arrived days later. I could tell everyone here was trying to make the most of the last sunny day in London before it would eventually turn dark by 5 PM. I was content to sit there and listen to the sound of the fountains, it reminded me a little of home and the Alumni Park fountain back on campus. As time went by, people came and went, some taking photos and others even painting the scene. Squirrels ran up trees stocking up for the winter, and birds fluttered around from branch to branch as the leaves fell from the trees, soon they would be migrating to escape the cold, but for this last day, they could enjoy the warmth and the sun, much like I, and everyone else in Hyde Park today.
Jeremy Alfred
Program Name: UW Global Launch in London
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Waunakee, Wisconsin