Welcome to Aberystwyth

After a long drive with stops to cope with car sickness, we wind our way down into Aberystwyth.  The university is clearly signed and we find a fortuitous  parking space on a steep driveway right next to the arts complex. The first building we walk into is Drama.  Immediately five 'yellow T-shirted' students arise, delight in their faces, and skip around Joanna.  It is the university Open Day.  Aberystwyth is a long way from anywhere, and we are evidently some of the few to make it through.

I am reminded of a Korean film we watched in our film club called Welcome to Dongmakgol.  The film is set in 1950 during the height of the Korean War.  The two opposing sides fight their way up a remote hill to a secluded and picturesque village at the top. The delightful inhabitants know little of what is happenings in their country and the combatants soon loose the will to fight.  They join with each other in the work of the village...until the spell is broken, and village is destroyed.

Some entertaining lecturers explained the nature of their course to about ten people in a vast theatre space.  This included an introduction to the science of Scenology, with particularly inspiring photographs displayed on a large screen. Afterwards we chatted informally with staff and effusive students, sharing their sandwiches.  Joanna was taken on a tour, which included walking across the netting above the theatre space where lighting and scenage are suspended.  She then took part in a workshop, and we watched the drama unfold.

"One of the best things about Aberystwyth," Connor says to Joanna, "is that it's so far away you'll never be bothered by your parents while you're here".