Today we got up at 8am to go to the Black Country Museum. Okay well maybe we got up at more like 8:30, but no one needs to actually know that. We raced through breakfast and made it down the elevators just in time for our bus, maybe cutting it a little too close. After exiting our hotel we booked it down the street to catch our bus that was already at the stop. But, we made it and were off through the streets of Birmingham on the way to the museum. We all sat at the top of the bud and were able to look out at the city as we raced by. Then we got off the bus and walked a half hour to get to the museum. Once we arrived we headed straight for the mine shaft trying to get that out of the way before it got too crowded. I’ve been in a mine before on school field trips but I’m sure this one will be very different.
When we went down to the mine, the tour guide didn’t like us. She thought we were rude probably, but I just don’t think she likes Americans which is fine, her personal issue.
After our 12 hour shift in the mine we went to a lesson at school. I thought this would be chill, we were so wrong. The teacher was very into his role and spent the entire lesson calling everyone out. He made Lillie and Liv stand against the wall staring at it, shamed people with nails and tattoos, and more. It was funny though and I really liked seeing what it was like.
Once we were done at the school the big group split up and my section went to the carnival that was going on. We went on the flying swings and rode the haunted house ride. I’d love to say I wasn’t scared of a children’s ride but unfortunately I very much was. The swings were super cute, and definitely lived up to their 1950s persona. They were not too crazy and didn’t go that high but they were super fun.
After the carnival we went to get a box of chips and went to the bakery. I got salt and vinegar chips and a gingerbread teddy from the bakery which were both yummy. Once we ate I met up with some more friends and we began to explore the buildings more. I loved seeing how things looked different in that time zone in comparison to now. Seeing the housing so beautifully decorated with intricate patterns and objects was so refreshing compared to the new modern houses and styles now.
We finished out the day by looking at the coal mine and everything that was on the surface. It had lots of old engines and structures to help the mine work from the surface down. Some of the workers explained the processes that these machines go through to make everything work and keep the system moving.
