Antonio's Cultural Journey Through British History

British Culture and the Globe Theatre

1. Antonio meets his British friends at Salamanca University.

2. What did Antonio and Pablo have for afternoon tea?
They had scones with jam and cream.

3. What happened to the original Globe Theatre?
The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 but, unfortunately, burned down in the middle of the 17th century and was destroyed again 30 years later. The new Globe Theatre was finished in 1997.

4. What differences are there between the 1600s and today?
One difference is that today women play the female roles, whereas in the 1600s, women weren't allowed to be actresses. Another difference is that the "groundlings" ate, drank, and talked during the performance, including throwing food at actors if they acted badly. One difference is that people are more polite now than in Shakespeare's time.

5. Why do you think there is a Caribbean carnival in Notting Hill?
Because London is a city where there are many different religions and cultures.

Viking History and Historic Cities

1. Why does he think the Vikings were brave?
He thinks that the Vikings were brave because these men went to sea in their longboats more than 1,000 years ago to look for new lands and adventures.

2. What makes the Jorvik Viking Centre special?
It wasn't just old things in a museum; it was the recreation of a real town. The characters had Viking names like Eric Bloodaxe and Ivar the Boneless. With the sounds and the smells, he felt he really was in a Viking town.

3. Why is York Minster so impressive?
Because it is the biggest cathedral in Northern Europe. It took more than 250 years to build and was finished in the 1470s.

4. Why did Antonio want to visit Oxford?
Because Oxford is one of the most historically interesting towns in Britain.

5. Why did the authorities close the bridge?
Because people usually jump into the river on the night of the May Ball, and in 2005, 40 people were injured when they jumped in.

Christmas Traditions and Welsh Folklore

1. What were the reasons Antonio enjoyed Christmas?
Because Antonio had never spent Christmas in England before, and going for a drive in the Bentley was the best Christmas present he'd had for many years.

2. In what way did Nicola's family influence him?
Because he was enjoying British Christmas traditions with Nicola's family; at the church, he sang with everyone else and had a big smile on his face.

3. How did Antonio convince Angharad to meet him?
Because it was a Welsh tradition in which a young man gives a love spoon to the girl he likes as a symbol of his affection for her. Antonio did it for Angharad, and she immediately agreed to meet him the following evening.

4. What did Antonio convince Angharad to show him?
On the last day, Angharad took Antonio to the Royal National Eisteddfod. The Eisteddfod is a modern version of the ancient competitions in which apprentice poets and musicians would compete against each other for a seat of honor in the households of noblemen.

5. What were Piskies?
Piskies were little old men about two centimeters tall, with red hair, who were all identical. They were cheerful people who helped the old. However, they also liked playing jokes on people.