mylifeasalecholzer.weebly.com · web viewalec holzer com 263 7/11/2014 pre-impression the blegny...

Alec Holzer

COM 263

7/11/2014

Pre-Impression

The Blegny mine should be rather cold and rainy, due to the continued rain we have experienced this week. I expect a French interpreter with a heavy accent and a power point. I’m sure there are differences in mining culture in America compared too Belgium mining. It shall be interesting to hear of the whole history and see 1st hand the mine. Since I did my report on the mine, I hope my presentation gives my fellow class mates a feel of how the tour will be and mine.

Post Impression

The mine was very excited to travel in, and it was rather cold. We got to experience firsthand how the machines worked and live demonstrations. I enjoyed the video in the beginning summarizing the whole history of the area and mines located in Belgium. The tour guide was very insight full and knowledgeable in the subject because he use to work in the mines for years. He mentioned heavy waves of immigration into the work force of the mine which is a great example of “Disaporic history”, which helps us understand cultural connections among people and groups while dealing with transnational migration. (P.80 Judith, Nakayama). The main immigration of Italians, Africans and Eastern Europeans has left a last impact on the region with its impact of imported cultures that is evident with the individuals walking around whom are decedents not of Belgium and or the stores that are located around the region, such as plenty of Italian restaurants. The tour guide also mentioned how children and women use to work in the mines until the mid 1910’s which is a clear example of “Gender histories”, which emphasizes the depletion of the woman from the work force. (P.77 Judith, Nakayama )The tour was great and very well done. I had a blast and enjoyed seeing the real deal of the mine.

Sources

Martin, Judith, and Thomas Nakayama. "Identity and Intercultural Communication." Experiencing Intercultural Communication. .

Reprint. New York: Mcgraw-Hill, 2011. . Print.

The Entrance into the Blegny Mine.

Main building of the Mine

I found this picture to be one of the best one’s I took and best illiterates the mine with its darkness and old rail system. It lies as a testament to the hard work the miners contributed to the modern world by fueling us with coal enegery.