November 15, 2011

Fireworks, Feast, and Laughter, Oh My!


Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot!


What happens when the English wish to celebrate a famous almost disaster? They party, and they party like it is the last chance that they will have to. Which I do have to admit is not a bad philosophy.

            The party that I am writing about is that of Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes was an explosive expert who conspired with 7 other men to blow up all of Parliament on the fifth of November in 1605. If the plot was to succeed the men would have successfully killed the monarch and the members of parliament. But Guy Fawkes was caught checking up on the explosives making sure that everything was ready for the next day. He was taken to the Tower of London where he was tortured and eventually gave up his partners in crime.  So in short Guy Fawkes Day is the celebration of a failed terrorist plot. Guy Fawkes Day consists of three things that the English do to remember this day. They are bonfires, fireworks, and food! A person can experience these wonderful traditions all over England.

            I currently reside in London so I spent my Guy Fawkes Night
 out in Blackheath with some friends. 

We had the food (which was more of a feast),  
.
                                           
we had the fireworks 
(which were spectacular),



... and we had didn’t have a bonfire 
 because they are not doing them as much trying to be safe... 
but we did have sparklers.



           The English love their tradition, and Guy Fawkes is definitely an English tradition
 that you don’t want to miss out on if you’re in England on November fifth. 

It is worth cramming into a park and watching the fireworks explode 
as you hear the hundreds little children ooo and awe at the colors. 

Even seeing a child get the chance to play with a sparkler for possibly the first time is great.  

But for you folks who don’t care what the kids think of this national holiday, 
you can always go for the food.

(Toffee Apple)

           At the event I went to the stands were almost like that of a carnival. 

But I personally enjoyed having a traditional English feast 
with parsnips, beetroots, potatoes, shoulder of lamb, carrots, 
and an apple crumble with cream for dessert. 

In my book nothing can top that English meal. 

But if you want some candy floss no doubt there will be a stand near by selling it.  

It is not a horrible way to spend celebrating a failed terrorist plot!

          If you wish to find out more about Guy Fawkes Day 
and all the fun things that go on 
please see the web address below. 

You can go from there to other links to read up on Guy Fawkes. Enjoy!

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