Today, we got up and caught the bus to drive to the Black Country Living Museum. After walking down a little, we approached the coal mine, where they would be giving us a tour. We all got our hard hats on and our torches, which they called ‘candles,’ because the torches were so dim to mimic the idea that the coal miners only worked in candlelight. As soon as we stepped foot into the coal mines, we got the experience of not being able to see what’s in front of you because there was so little light. While taking the tour, there were some really fascinating facts that were mentioned, like how as soon as male kids turned 10, they would be taken in and have jobs working at the coal mine. These small boys were paid so little, but it was their way of contributing to their family income. Females were not allowed to be in the coal mines, which made us feel rather grateful. Another shocking fact was that when they were sending the coal back up to the surface, 24 men would fit on this bucket and would be lifted up by a shaft. I couldn’t believe 24 men would even fit on that bucket. The workers who climbed on the ladders and did the ceiling drop were the most skilled workers and had to make sure no one was standing in the vicinity. Being in the coal mines, I realized how dangerous working in them can be. The tour guide talked to us about the countless ceilings falling on the workers, or the fires that started because of too much oxygen getting in. Most of the workers wouldn’t even see any daylight until Sunday after working all week, since they started work at 6 am and worked until 6 pm.

For lunch, we stopped at this authentic restaurant that served fish and chips. It had salt and vinegar on it too, which added a bunch of flavor and was really good. After lunch, we stopped by some pop-up shops and saw some old cars because it was 60s themed at Black Country. We then went to the schoolhouse, where they were teaching a class, as it was back in the day. The professor was so funny and made us sing the ABCs, Hickory Dickory Dock, and taught us some times tables. He noticeably had a cane in his hand, and at one point, he picked someone from the audience and pretended to hit them on the hand for doing wrong. I could only imagine how awful the kids from school in the early days felt when they were getting punished by the strike of a cane. I thought it was also interesting how the students were assessed for skill, all orally. I know if that was still something happening now, I would have struggled, so I can’t imagine how tough that must’ve been for the kids.

After coming back to the hotel, we finished the day adding finishing touches to our presentations and we ended up getting dessert at LaPop, which was so yummy! I’m really nervous about presenting tomorrow, but I can’t wait for it to be over and done with!