Harlaxton 2017: Stonehenge

By: Camuel Hart

Stonehenge, among the most recognizable British monuments, is also the most distant. A days-long drive through the English countryside could easily be taken without a distant passing sight of it; finding it seemingly requires a series of diversions and detours across the pastoral roadways. Past the entrance, the site of the monument rests at the end of a great walking path, which is often bypassed in favor of shuttle bus drive. Even the stones themselves are separated from their audience by a rope and several yards. All this, of course, is fitting, for a site so out of time and place as this one.

The oddity and mystery of Stonehenge can be felt in its presence, especially when the mood is set by overcast skies and a light, cold rain. It carries a history that seems so alien to modern life, almost absurd. Despite this distance of space, time, and disposition, we were given the chance to embrace our roles as tourists and enjoy the cultural landmark and physical feat that is Stonehenge. Overwhelming? No. Underwhelming? Not quite, either. Visiting, studying, and photographing Stonehenge is a unique experience, that exists some distance from the standard metric of excitement. In any case, I am glad to have gone.