Wow. The weekend of Under the Redcoat was the most amazing weekend I've ever had. The reenactors were simply amazing and they were.. well everybody was extremely nice! The soldiers were very humerous and intereacted with everybody! If I could relive any days it would be that weekend!
June 26th, 2009 - So we arrive about 15:30 or so adn check into the hotel. It was smaller than I expected but i didn't really care. We drove to the visitors center to get our tickets and then Roxanne and I started to follow a path to Colonial williamsburg. It was neat walking across the bridge because it had certains bricks that had information in it saying something like 1949 You would watch no tv and stuff like that. At the end of the bridge on the ground said Welcome to the 18th century... YAY! I had no idea were I was going but i just followed the path. I saw a plantation but didn't really care about it..So we finally arrive into town and see this big white windmill. Roxy saw a reenactor ( who was carrying a violin case) and she yells "Oi!" to him. He doesn't looks so she ives up. We get closer to were the British are setting up camp but there aren't really any British soldiers around. There were some and Roxy took a picture with this one and he was eating a granola bar...lol...Then we get a picture with these two guys. One of who I would see more often the following days. I stopped by at this out door shop because I really wanted a hat and the two genltmen working it were very nice and humerous! Roxy tried on some funky glasses and the older gentlman said to her ," There's a looking glass over there if you wish to admire your aperence!" Then there were modern girls also there adn a siren went off. One of them ask what is that siren and the older gentleman says, "What siren? I don't hear a siren. You better not be practicing witchcraft. And the younger gentlman goes, "In mythology, I hope she's not referring to those sirens." I laughed at that comment. We had tickets to go on a Ghosts Among Us Tour. It was fairly interesting. The actors were really good. It was really hot outside adn it felt good to go inside the cool buildings. The day was over for us but the next day would be even better! And as we got on the bus to go back to the hotel, fife playes along with drummers cross out path and loads of modern people follow.
June 27th, 2009 - So we get up and my mother takes her time as usual and we arrive at the Visitors center after 10 Am and Roxy and I walk across the same bridge once again. It was hot but it was a little bit more bearable than yesterday. When we got to the big windmill Roxy sees yet another person and screams "Oi!". He doesn't look. So we go into the camp and walk around (there were mor British solsiders!! heaven!!) and stop at this one tent were two sargents are talking and have cider (which roxy claims was spiked) so Roxy goes, "What's going on here?" and we start a conversation. this one British soldier goes up to Roxy ( he was already standing there) and asks for her name in British language. When she said Roxy he replied in a humerous way "oh god not another wench!".. She didn't get it. Then she asks what the guys are drinking and they reply "Cider"
And she keeps saying "You're not supposed to be drinking on the job....This is a bad influence on me!!" We walk away and go onto the streets towards Revolutionary City. We come across the same two soldiers that we took a picture with yesterday and then roxy asks if thier canteens are stainless steal. But before that she talks to them in Spanish and they are like," No.. There is no need to learn Spanish.." One of them replies, "Yeah.. ." Roxy goes," It was even invented yet so how can you have it?" And then he goes, "You didn't hear it from me..my cup is tin..see?"
We then walk across the street to talk to two patriots just chilling. One is playing fife and another is sitting down. Roxy asks the fife player, "Play me a jig and call it 'Roxy Like a Puma!" He tries but gives up..lol and we got into our background and The one guy was Irish and Rocy said we were English and then russian and they reply," Much better." lol Then she tells him to do an Irish jig. We go back to the camp and come across a little pow wow and Roxy chit chats with them and encourages them to do the Hoedown Throwdown. They are amused and say no. They tell her to go ask the sargent who we spoke to earlier. He wouldn't do it.However, she did get one to do a peace sign for a picture..lol No one would even do "pop it!" Ah, well. It was funny and enjoyable to talk to them. As we walk up to the path to the magazine there is this little boy who is so cute and a reenactor and we talk to him. We then went to the Magazine. Roxy got a picture with a guard and there we lots of British soldiers right there by the guard house. I was watching them and then we go into the Magazine..and out of the heat. as we were going to leave the area by going out the other way a British guard dtops us and makes a conversation. I gotta admit he was kinda cute. As a reenactor walks through (they have to check for passes if they are a citizen) and Roxy asks "is that what these passes are for? "He relied, "No." It was funny. We could find our mother so we go towards Merchent Square and run into the same british guy with the feathered hat. we make a small conversation. We brought up that it would be easier if we had cellhones and the British guy says, "Wanna use mine?" Too bad my dad's cell was off. we then found out that there was a Starbucks in town. The British guys says," Yeah there's one in Barnes and Nobles. I just came from there. Just go down and make a right." We bid a farewell until next time. The Britsh had a firing competition. I wanted to go back to the hotel to get my silver shoes for the dance that night so I walk all the way back to Merchent Square and up to the hotel. I wish I would have brought them because I would have enjoyed staying among the reenactors. But I soon came back. Once again I was in the camp and saw Cornwallis and his men talking to this one slave who was stuttery. The slave was talking to (my first impression on him was a snarky, Lucious Malfoy look alike).. I was on my own and went back to the Guard House and they got the fife player and another person. They were being punished for some reason and the British soldier made them carry sticks.. to the other side of the square... for no reason. The fife player then began to sing! it was so funny cause the British guard was yelling, "no singing! Just move those sticks! One at a Time! Make Sure they are staright!"... Then before that the British captured a guy who I got a picture with yesterday and he tried to escape and he went running..lol They caught him.. One of the commanding officers said, "Back again? We might have to take him into the back and shoot him.." Also when I was walking around I went to the opposite side of the site and watched 'begining' British soldiers demonstarted preparing the gun to fire. One soldier kept looking at moi and thus I had an admirer! yay!
Then after I found my mother and Roxy we went to dinner at Reliegh's Tavern. We sat in the basement were the only light came frm candles! No electricity!! yay! Then the owner was very humerous. He was asking people were they were from and we he asks me I say Pittsbugh. He didn't hear me but his wife told him Fort Pitt.. Agh! The joy of living in the past! Afterwards we go to a Dance program at the Capitol. It was very fun! This one guy asks me to dance (the first one for the first dance to participate in!!) and I adore the way they bow! He and I aquainted and luckly he was the instructor. Each dacne had a different instructor...So I was at the front and he politely asks me to ask for the flute player to play the first of April. I say, "May we please have the first of April?" The flute player replies, "Certainly!" The other reenactors says in their own way, "Oh what a delightful song. Good choice! I always liked that song!" We began to dance thier form of country dance! Then it was pretty much it for the day. I saw my admirer across the street and he watched me..haha and then for some reason Roxy and I do a high five and a British soldier goes, "Yes, high five." Roxy then goes to high five him and he goes, "Please don't hurt me. I'm frail." He said it in a innocent British accent. It was pretty cute actually..lol Roxy and I walk back on the path and go back to the hotel. It felt so god to take a cool shower.
June 28th, 2009 - Even though I was walking around all day.. anxiety kept we awake for the longest time! I even got up early! I got all ready and my mother and sister were still sleeping. I couldn't wait any longer. I go out on my own and walk to Merchant Sqaure at 9Am. It was nice and quiet. I walk passed the British camp and see the same guy with the feathered hat who let us borrow his cell phone. He says to me, "Still here?" and then we start a conversation. He then tells me he's been doing reenactors for over 20 years including the French and Indian War and WWII. Interesting! I tehn said see ya later and spot British soliders walking around Revlutionary City. I of coarse walked towards them because they are fun to be around. They were saying, "God Save the King!" to anyone. One soldier comes up to me and asks me in British lauguage, "Miss, What kind of occupation do you have in this town?" I said,"....I don't have any...." "You don't have any?......excuse me..." There was a little problem with a citizen so he left. Another British soldier came up to me and siad ," God Save the King!" I raise my fist into the air with praise and he goes, "Thumbs up! I love thumbs up!" Humerous! I then just lingered among the British soldiers. When I passed some reenactors they'd go, "Good morning..Hello." I love it when the gentlmen would say hello and bow their head to me as a pass. Pretty impressive. I then go back by the gate and watch the people pass. I read for a little buit then a British soldier of whom I got a picture with yesterday was saying, "God Save the King!" To people passing by. It was humerous! s all lined up and then I followed them down to Revolutionary City for Church service.I then walked around for the rest of the time savouring my surroundings because it was awesome being around people who were like, playing dress up and rarley or never got out of character in real life...I then find my mother and she goes into the magazine and then to the church. I get he camera and then go off to the guard house. I went to leave when the "Yes, high five" soldier ( who was guaring the entrance) said, "Hello, love how are you?..Walking all by yourself?....Since Friday? Great god and you're not bored?......Weren't you at the party?......The party at the Tavern. There's one everynight...No not tonight.....Yeah Because It's Sunday.." Then the sargent there humerous says in British language, "(that guys name) You're on duty! You're not supposed to be talkign while on duty!" Then the other guard comes up to me and says in British language, "i'm not on duty!" Then the sargent tells him to get back on duty and says to the guys I was talking to, "She's probably trying to trick you..(to me) move along now!" He shoos me aways. It was all too funny! The guard was craking up and I was also. I walked down towards Revolutinary City and pass the Brisih guy with the feathered hat and he says," Hello still here?" I was going to turn around to go back to the British camp but then I saw Cornwallis and his men riding along. I of coarse go in that direction. I get far ahead and then turn around. I pass the snarky Lucious Malfoy look a like dude and he bids me " Good day." It was amazing!! I thought getting reconzied by those guys was even better than getting reconized by the Jonas Brothers! I was full of excitment and happiness as I go back to the British camp. I watch the British change guards several times and my admirer was gaureding teh gate. He said ,"Hello" As I passed through for the millionth time. I went strolling through the camp and noticed my other admirer was guarding the tent with the men whom Roxy asked to do the Hoedown Throwndown. I pass and my admirer goes, "Miss" to get my attention and say a quiet, "Hello." I then walk pass later and he bows his head in a hello jesture and says to his friend," That's some fine ribbon. I don't think I've seen such fine ribbon." {he was referring to my hat} I Then watch the British soldiers demonstrate the canon and advacning on the enemy and shooting. Epic! Before that started I was standing there and this British guy was walking arond talking to people and he reconized me and said, "Have you been wandering around all day?" Me," Yes" Him, "Good!"
After that I walked around some more . I also watched a firing competition and when this once guy was showing the prize (which was a brand new lanteren worth about 10) this one soldier says, "Why can't we have a wentch and beer?" LOL.......and of coarse it had to come to an end. The Britich soldiers got all lined up for Cornwallis much later ( and after I walked around for a while longer).. Once they were all lined up Cornwallis and his men walked in and the Snarky, Lucious look alike dude passed me ( they all did because I was right there) and he said hello to me with a bow at the head.. Awesome!! After Cornwallis was done speaking the soldiers marched out and into the street ,..."Onto a victory at Yorktown!" As one soldier said..lol And My admireres were standing beside each other and gave me a smile and bow at the head. I was sad to see all the British leave because they were so awesome and funny and amusing! They city was ...quiet adn ..somewhat boring without them.. I then went to dinner in Merchant Sqaure and as I was walking back with Roxy adn my mother trailing far behind the "Yes, high five.." guy passed me (he was in regular clothes) and said ,"Hello Miss.." Amazing! Then we went to this In Defense of Our Liberty program were we participated as Continental Soldiers in traing. I was in the second blatoon and the sargent was young, cute and humerous....One of my admirers was one of the sargents and its amazing how they change characters! Afterwards we got pictures and the head sargent knew Roxy's attitude adn said" Let's all do this" [He was making a funny face..lol it was hilariuous!" I love Williamsbug! I love the Britsh! I am definatly going next year adn I am definatly going to the party at the tavern!...Maybe get some British soliders to do Hannah Montana...lol
