Pictures ahoy, and news of the new job!
First thing's first... Livejournal frustrates me, at least in regards to uploading photographs and such, and so I believe it may simply be much easier to refer you all to the albums I have put on facebook. Don't worry if you don't have an account there (you don't want to be sucked into that website), as I've posted the links to the ones that can be viewed by the public. But these photos have comments! I'll be certain to do more detailed ones for the promised cities (Killarney, Edinburgh, etc.).
Click here for Dublin.
Click here for Newgrange & Tara.
Click here for Wexford, Waterford and Cork.
More to come!
In other news, the Fort Edmonton job is awesome! I shall post at least one photograph of myself in costume at some point. I've already been photographed like two dozen times, at least, in the last two days. European and Asian tourists, especially, love photographing the native & Metis country wives.
I've already had my braids fondled ("Is this your real hair?"), been called a "squaw" (not to my face), and had an old man greet me with "How!" and a raised arm, to which I nervously laughed and offered an awkward Cree (then English) greeting. Most of them didn't mean anything by it (most of the older ones don't know any better), and the best thing to do is correct if you can, like: "'Squaw' is a corruption of an aboriginal term that originated in the American south, and was never used in this area. Even in 1846, it had pejorative undertones." Most are happy to learn the "politically correct" (or at least non-insulting) terms. Hint: when in doubt, use tribe name (Cree, Blackfoot, Stoney, etc.).
But aside from that, things have been going great! My costume, while not a poofy dress, is very flattering and, best of all, very cool in plus 30 degree weather. I have been learning a lot about the buildings themselves, which is always usefull... You see, I know the sweeping overview of fur trade history, but I've been struggling with the "what's that object used for?" side of things. I also participated in a programme today! I lit a fire in the kitchen fireplace in the basement of Rowand's House, boiled water in a kettle for tea on that fire, made tea, and served it to the gentlemen seated upstairs. They - "Chief Factor John Rowand", his son-in-law "Mr. Harriet" and the missionary "Robert Rundle" - chatted about "current events" (of 1846) and Fort Life (debating letting men have Sunday's off for prayer, etc.). It was all in good fun. They would often make fun of "Anderson" (the Fort name of one of the other employees), and would call for "Anne-Marie" (my fort name) for more tea. It's a great chance to interpret several social classes, and as people are often intimidated by the three stern-looking men seated around the table, I, the mild-mannered looking Metis maid, was often called upon with questions. :)
... Much more fun than sitting in the library all day! I am a social creature! Also, vain, so a job where I get to show off my knowledge to people and be photographed all day in a neat costume? I'm there!
Be forewarned: I will soon be updating this blog with interesting fort shenanigans.
... I'm still working as a research assistant, though, so tomorrow, though my "day off" from Fort Ed, will be a work day for me. :P I'm determined to sleep in on Tuesday, though!
Click here for Dublin.
Click here for Newgrange & Tara.
Click here for Wexford, Waterford and Cork.
More to come!
In other news, the Fort Edmonton job is awesome! I shall post at least one photograph of myself in costume at some point. I've already been photographed like two dozen times, at least, in the last two days. European and Asian tourists, especially, love photographing the native & Metis country wives.
I've already had my braids fondled ("Is this your real hair?"), been called a "squaw" (not to my face), and had an old man greet me with "How!" and a raised arm, to which I nervously laughed and offered an awkward Cree (then English) greeting. Most of them didn't mean anything by it (most of the older ones don't know any better), and the best thing to do is correct if you can, like: "'Squaw' is a corruption of an aboriginal term that originated in the American south, and was never used in this area. Even in 1846, it had pejorative undertones." Most are happy to learn the "politically correct" (or at least non-insulting) terms. Hint: when in doubt, use tribe name (Cree, Blackfoot, Stoney, etc.).
But aside from that, things have been going great! My costume, while not a poofy dress, is very flattering and, best of all, very cool in plus 30 degree weather. I have been learning a lot about the buildings themselves, which is always usefull... You see, I know the sweeping overview of fur trade history, but I've been struggling with the "what's that object used for?" side of things. I also participated in a programme today! I lit a fire in the kitchen fireplace in the basement of Rowand's House, boiled water in a kettle for tea on that fire, made tea, and served it to the gentlemen seated upstairs. They - "Chief Factor John Rowand", his son-in-law "Mr. Harriet" and the missionary "Robert Rundle" - chatted about "current events" (of 1846) and Fort Life (debating letting men have Sunday's off for prayer, etc.). It was all in good fun. They would often make fun of "Anderson" (the Fort name of one of the other employees), and would call for "Anne-Marie" (my fort name) for more tea. It's a great chance to interpret several social classes, and as people are often intimidated by the three stern-looking men seated around the table, I, the mild-mannered looking Metis maid, was often called upon with questions. :)
... Much more fun than sitting in the library all day! I am a social creature! Also, vain, so a job where I get to show off my knowledge to people and be photographed all day in a neat costume? I'm there!
Be forewarned: I will soon be updating this blog with interesting fort shenanigans.
... I'm still working as a research assistant, though, so tomorrow, though my "day off" from Fort Ed, will be a work day for me. :P I'm determined to sleep in on Tuesday, though!