Ballard reports from Manchester, England
Two School of Journalism students, graduate student Joice Biazoto and senior Erica Ballard, traveled to Manchester, England, Oct. 4-8 for the Society of American Travel Writers annual convention. Here, Ballard shares her experience.
Erica Ballard, Oct. 9:
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| Photo by Joice Biazoto |
| Senior Erica Ballard in Manchester. |
Scenic as it was, the true highlight of my day trip was the museum. I never thought I would reach a point in my life were I would actually enjoy museums. The main exhibit examines the periods from the Great War (WWI for us Americans) to present day.
Starting at 1914, the tour took me through the British eras. The walls were lined with artifacts and information about each war and its soldiers. And in the center of the exhibit, rooms were constructed to showcase civilian and commonwealth’s experiences.
Every hour (and yes, I was there more than just one hour) the lights dimmed and a mini-movie was reflected off the walls about either Women at War, Children at War or Weapons at War. They were amazing. You could feel every cannon’s boom and feel each heartache.
The special exhibit was about animals at war. Now, I love animals. But I just couldn’t get into it. So I read a couple things about dolphins and horses and peaced out. I know I was supposed to go to Blackpool today, but I am SO glad I decided to go to the museum instead. The facts about WWI, the Hutu and Yugoslavia (and the other wars) were really insightful and interesting. I was moved by the combination of the movies, the videos, and “action stations.” If you ever go to Manchester and have any interest in war, GO.
Tonight was the farewell dinner. Blah blah blah – ‘twas a bit boring. And then Heather Smalls performed. Who’s Heather Smalls? She sings that song “Proud” and the moving on up and moving on out song. Basically, she’s sweet. A dance party soon erupted. Now, what you need to know about this convention is that the average age hovers around 50 -55. Now, picture the dance party. And please, throw in a conga line image.
So my time here has ended. But I can’t honestly say I want to go. This conference really opened my eyes to the possibilities of travel writing and, frankly, journalism. Everyone was so welcoming and full of great advice. I would never trade this experience.
I spent my last day at Harbor City checking out the Imperial War Museum. It really was fantastic. I took the tram like a true Brit to the west side of town and was it beautiful. Harbor City – shock – is actually on a harbor. The sky was oddly clear and the view from the bridges was stunning. Light glistened off the water and illuminated the modern building surrounding it.
Scenic as it was, the true highlight of my day trip was the museum. I never thought I would reach a point in my life were I would actually enjoy museums. The main exhibit examines the periods from the Great War (WWI for us Americans) to present day.
Starting at 1914, the tour took me through the British eras. The walls were lined with artifacts and information about each war and its soldiers. And in the center of the exhibit, rooms were constructed to showcase civilian and commonwealth’s experiences.
Every hour (and yes, I was there more than just one hour) the lights dimmed and a mini-movie was reflected off the walls about either Women at War, Children at War or Weapons at War. They were amazing. You could feel every cannon’s boom and feel each heartache.
The special exhibit was about animals at war. Now, I love animals. But I just couldn’t get into it. So I read a couple things about dolphins and horses and peaced out. I know I was supposed to go to Blackpool today, but I am SO glad I decided to go to the museum instead. The facts about WWI, the Hutu and Yugoslavia (and the other wars) were really insightful and interesting. I was moved by the combination of the movies, the videos, and “action stations.” If you ever go to Manchester and have any interest in war, GO.
Tonight was the farewell dinner. Blah blah blah – ‘twas a bit boring. And then Heather Smalls performed. Who’s Heather Smalls? She sings that song “Proud” and the moving on up and moving on out song. Basically, she’s sweet. A dance party soon erupted. Now, what you need to know about this convention is that the average age hovers around 50 to 55. Now, picture the dance party. And please, throw in a conga line image.
So my time here has ended. But I can’t honestly say I want to go. This conference really opened my eyes to the possibilities of travel writing and, frankly, journalism. Everyone was so welcoming and full of great advice. I would never trade this experience.
Scenic as it was, the true highlight of my day trip was the museum. I never thought I would reach a point in my life were I would actually enjoy museums. The main exhibit examines the periods from the Great War (WWI for us Americans) to present day.
Starting at 1914, the tour took me through the British eras. The walls were lined with artifacts and information about each war and its soldiers. And in the center of the exhibit, rooms were constructed to showcase civilian and commonwealth’s experiences.
Every hour (and yes, I was there more than just one hour) the lights dimmed and a mini-movie was reflected off the walls about either Women at War, Children at War or Weapons at War. They were amazing. You could feel every cannon’s boom and feel each heartache.
The special exhibit was about animals at war. Now, I love animals. But I just couldn’t get into it. So I read a couple things about dolphins and horses and peaced out. I know I was supposed to go to Blackpool today, but I am SO glad I decided to go to the museum instead. The facts about WWI, the Hutu and Yugoslavia (and the other wars) were really insightful and interesting. I was moved by the combination of the movies, the videos, and “action stations.” If you ever go to Manchester and have any interest in war, GO.
Tonight was the farewell dinner. Blah blah blah – ‘twas a bit boring. And then Heather Smalls performed. Who’s Heather Smalls? She sings that song “Proud” and the moving on up and moving on out song. Basically, she’s sweet. A dance party soon erupted. Now, what you need to know about this convention is that the average age hovers around 50 to 55. Now, picture the dance party. And please, throw in a conga line image.
So my time here has ended. But I can’t honestly say I want to go. This conference really opened my eyes to the possibilities of travel writing and, frankly, journalism. Everyone was so welcoming and full of great advice. I would never trade this experience.
Erica Ballard, Oct. 8:
The past day was filled with seminars and panels. I never thought I would ever enjoy sitting in a lecture hall, but today proved different.
To start the morning, I attended a lecture by Jack Hart, an editor for the Oregonian and author of A Writer’s Coach. I revisited the days of EP220 and "the pit" as the mantra of organization and idea echoed in the auditorium hall. The idea of clear and concise writing seems so easy, yet I forget how easy it is to forget this. I was reminded that writing is a process, a creative process but nevertheless a process, that takes time, drive and knowledge. And after this lecture (and my seven semesters of the j-school), I think have improved my skills.A quick hour and a half later, I was sitting in front of an editors’ panel with the likes of the editors from the Miami Herald and United Airlines Magazine. Turns out the future isn’t bleak. There might be hope for us all. Yes, it’s hard work. And yes, the hours are long. But like my new friend Bobbi said, it’s worth the perks. I’m in Manchester and in 2009, SATW will be in Beijing. Hmmm….travel writing doesn’t sound so bad now, eh? And I think other reporting invokes this same sense of satisfaction, too.
Tomorrow is Blackpool, which I hear is England’s version of Coney Island. There has to be a story (and joke) in there somewhere. I wish to write more but dinner is at 7:30 p.m. and I have yet to get ready. Until tomorrow.
Erica Ballard, Oct. 7:
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| Photo by Joice Biazoto |
| It’s not all play for the conferees. Ballard (left, in pink) takes notes during a city tour. |
What I believed would be an easy task quickly shifted from simple. Apparently, all pitchers were scheduled to be out of the "office" today. After a 30 minute panic and about 15 more minutes of festering, one of the men popped in to check on the conference. Thank goodness. An hour later I had my clip into the Andrew (the newsletter guy) and was ready to head to my professional development training.
The seminar I chose was conducted by a panel of travel writers who have used today’s new media to make a name for themselves on the Web and beyond. One of them, Elizabeth Harryman, happened to be an IU alumna. The panel renewed my faith that one day I might actually make money from this business. I say this because everything introduced to the SATW members was introduced to me already last semester in my Community Journalism class with professor Conway. They talked of convergence, broadcast and Audacity.
After a quick break, we were divided and then hurried on to our designated bus to attend our scheduled half-day trips. My tour was of the Haworth Art Gallery,the home of Europe’s largest collection of Tiffany glass. What a beautiful place — a great place that is just waiting to be pitched. The glass was exquisite and the local etching exhibit was really wonderful. And the museum itself had a history of its own. The gallery is a restored Edwardian home of William Haworth located in Lancashire’s countryside. I swear it’s cooler than it sounds.
Our last tour was of Manchester United Stadium. The place fits 80,000 fans. I wish I could say more, but eh, I’m a girl. Football (or soccer) is fun to watch, but a stadium visit isn’t quite my thing.
Dinner followed, and now I’m here writing. But before I go I should catch you up on the last two days. I spent the last two days getting to know members and associates of the group. Meetings, lectures, lunches -– by the end of the day its hard to distinguish what was where and where I met whom — but in the end I’ve talked with a lot of great people and am so happy we have name tags.
I spent Friday night with our mentors. My mentor is Randy Curwen, the travel editor of the Chicago Tribune. Joice’s mentor is Howie, the travel editor and Broadway critic for the Philly Inquirer. Both men are so nice, and I feel so fortunate to be getting their insight on the business – and soon their input in our writing.
I’ve met a few alums and a few people who know my professors. This is seriously just amazing. I can’t wait to see what the next two days bring.
