Jenny and the Chocolate Factory

Where in the world is Jenny? Cadbury World!

Well, more like where was Jenny, since this post is rather late. As you'll find out in my next series of posts, I had quite the busy weekend.

On Thursday, my public relations class took a day-long field trip to a chocolate lover's paradise: Cadbury World in Birmingham, England. Think Hershey Park plus Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Cadbury is one of the largest confectionary manufacturers in the world. I suppose the purpose was to learn about brand management and identity? I'll have to wait until my next PR class to really find out, but hey, I wasn't about to argue with my professor over his field trip choice.

After barely making our train, we journeyed two hours out of London before Cadbury signs appeared. As we approached the factory, the air became drenched with the mouthwatering smell of chocolate.

Our first stop was "Essence," where we watched a few cheesy presentations about the Cadbury family and the history of their chocolate products.

We were then given small cups of thick, melted milk chocolate and allowed a mix-in of our choice. I chose "shortbread biscuits," and I have no regrets.

Next we wove our way through the groups of elementary school children (AKA the majority age group of visitors to Cadbury World), and went on a ride reminiscent of Disney's "It's a Small World" ride. So cheesy, but so cute...

We then walked through the actual facilities where the chocolate was being produced.

Chocolate soccer balls

My name in chocolate

At each stop, we kept getting more free samples of chocolate products. Terrible, right? However, that didn't stop me from spending a few pounds (and possibly gaining a few pounds) in the gift shop as well. The basic summary of my trip: chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate...

Judging from these goodies, I'd say the field trip was a success for my sweet tooth---er, i mean, education.

I wish I could pull a Willy Wonka and make it possible for you to grab some chocolate through the computer screen. Anyone know if you can send chocolate in the mail?

Divorced, Beheaded, Died...

Where in the world is Jenny? Hampton Court Palace!

In order to learn about the effect of the Reformation in severing British art from the Catholic tradition, my art history class took a day-long field trip to King Henry VIII's home in East Molesey: Hampton Court Palace. You know the king I'm talking about...divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded survived? Ring any bells?

Unfortunately, some of the palace's rooms were blocked off due to the presence of camera crews. Turns out a movie was being filmed at the location...more on that later... ;-)

Cameras? Film crews? Security?

Turning our attention back to the palace itself: The building was bought by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1514, which he rebuilt with the aim of making it the grandest house in England. When Wolsey failed to convince the Pope to let King Henry VIII get an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, Wolsey gave the estate to the king in hopes of appeasing him. However, Henry was not at all happy. He had the cardinal arrested and sent to the Tower of London. En route to the tower, Wolsey actually died from fright. What a dreadful way to go, don't you think?

Henry VIII lived in Hampton Court Palace until his death in 1547. During his stay, this building housed the birth of the future Edward VI, the death of Jane Seymour, and the dragging away of Catherine Howard when she was accused of adultery (I actually got to stand in the gallery she supposedly still haunts...no ghost sightings though!). In 1689 to 1694, Sir Christopher Wren carried out a second phase of building for the Stuart monarchs William III and Mary II. The last phase of building occurred for George II in 1732.

I was able to see impressive architecture...

The Fountain Court

...beautiful window decorations...

The Great Watching Chamber 

...intricate ceilings...

...various chambers...

Queen Mary's water closet

King's Guard Chamber, note the weapons and armor decorating the walls

...and of course, lots of artwork...

The big man himself 

Daddy-o (aka Henry VII)

Why hello Professor Donnelan!

Overall, I thought the palace was quite interesting. The grandiose rooms were cold and uninviting, yet as the rooms got closer to the king's bedchamber, they became smaller and more cozy. If you lived in the palace, the goal was to receive a room as close to the king's as possible.

As previously mentioned, several parts of the palace were blocked off. Here's a hint as to the reason:

When my professor asked a guard why we couldn't go out to the maze, she informed us that filming for the Sherlock Holmes sequel was taking place on the other side of the gate! Immediately, my classmates and I scrambled to get a better look. I was sadly unable to pull out my camera in time to get a shot of Robert Downey Jr. as he walked by, BUT I did get a few photos of Jude Law!

HEY JUDE!!

I have a future in the paparazzi business, no?

I may have been cold at the palace, and I may have missed out on some rooms, and I may have been hungry because the film crew even blocked off the cafe, but who cares...I saw Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law!

Oh, and some rooms once inhabited by the Tudor and Stuart dynasties. ;-)

Side note: Thank you all for your kind "get well" wishes! I am feeling much better now, just in time for my first major weekend trip! I will be visiting the capital of an eastern European country, where people raise their glasses and proclaim, "Na zdraví!"(not "nice driveway," Dad). Any guesses???