St. Fagan's National History Museum

Wednesday, the Welsh Culture and Folklore lecture went to St. Fagan's as a field trip. The whole concept behind St. Fagan's is super cool. They take historical buildings from around Wales that would've been taken down and they move and restore them within the confines of the museum. It's like a living history sort of deal.

Sheep: integral part of the Welsh experience

It's lambing season! 

Why are they so cute?

We visited a medieval-era church first called St. Teilo's (he's a local saint).

I'm more accustomed to Gothic churches, so this seemed a little more... rustic.

This really helped to drive home the point that in the Middle Ages, churches were ornately decorated. Naturally, these paintings are not originals, they would've been whitewashed during the Reformation. I knew the painting thing as an intellectual concept (I enjoyed playing paint detective in the 19 churches we visited in Burgundy). Seeing it up close really drove it home for me. In one of the images, Mary Magdalene is depicted. She is different than how she was in France (French Magdalenes have their hair uncovered, those hussies!). After that, we were turned loose and told to meet at the buses at 4:15. Blessing (a new girl I met), Kirsten B and I adventured around.

Tutor-era merchant's house

In each house, there was a guide. They all seemed rather bored and eager to chat with us. We ended up talking with one guide for a really really long time. It seemed like every guide had someone that they knew in British Columbia (where Kirsten B is from). I wonder what the draw was... Our new friend, the guide, was telling us about Welsh history and how the original Celts were driven northward and westward by the various invading peoples. It all culminated with this priceless quote, "An Irishman is a Welshman who could swim!".

I also learned some interesting family history stuff. Nain and Taid, what I called my great grandparents (Mom's mom's parents), are the North Welsh words for grandmother and grandfather, respectively. That certainly puts my previous reflections on the Llanberis countryside in another light...

Fun Fact #18: The South Welsh words are Mam-gu and Tad-cu.

Holly Bush! Just growing out in the woods.

A Celtic Village, based on archaeology in the region. It was closed for renovations though.

Schoolhouse. 

We wrapped up our trip (and escaped from the sloppy snowfall) by having a cream tea. 

Clotted cream, strawberry jam, still-warm scone and tea. Delicious!

Cheers!