【利物浦】維多利亞大樓 VG&M @ il Giardino Romantico

所有利物浦大學的學生，在來到利物浦大學之前一定都已經在prospectus或是各種資料上看過這棟建築物。就連利物浦大學的官方網站上也是以這個為利物浦大學的地標。不過應該有很多學生來這理念書到畢業都不曾踏進這棟建築物。到底這種建築物有什麼神祕的祕密？

維多利亞大樓於一八九二年完工。而且建築設計是由鼎鼎大名的Alfred Waterhouse設計的唷！人家可是設計鼎鼎大名的『國家自然歷史博物館』的設計師呢！這棟建築物目前在Listed Building當中被列為Grade 2，來頭可不小。一開始的利物浦大學所有的辦公室，教室，以及宿舍都在這棟大樓裡。目前已經改建為展覽館於博物館囉。

Every student of this university, especially international students, would surely have seen pictures of this buidling sometime during their process of application. It is in the prospectus, various information booklets, and also the official university website. However, it is also very possible that one could study here and never set foot in this building. Why is the mystery behind this building?

The Victoria Building was completed in 1892. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who was best known for his designing the Natural History Museum in London. This building has been listed as Grade 2 of listed buildings. It once housed offices, classrooms, and dorminatories of the university. Basically, meaning the University of Liverpool all began within this building. Now it has been renovated into a gallery and museum.

不過今天我來這的目的不是為了看展覽。其實之前已經來這裡聽過演講。也來過這裡喝咖啡。今天的目的，其實也是來喝咖啡的！之前說過，校園裡的coffee shop週末都不營業。這裡就除外。因為畢竟是個觀光地，為了招呼遊客，由不得不開。裡頭氣氛很不錯，咖啡也比Costa便宜。有了這麼多的選擇，連Costa我都不太想去了，更甭提Starbucks囉！

My purpose today, however, was not to see the gallery nor the museum, but for coffee. I have already been here once for a speech given by the renouned Brian Aldiss. I have also already been here for coffee. I enjoyed my first experience so much that I could come here every weekend. As I mentioned before, most coffee shops on campus are closed on the weekend. Since this place needs to stay open for tourists, I could easily take advantage of this opening hour! The great thing is, the atmosphere is exquisite yet the price is even cheaper than what Costa charges. If I could come here and drink affordable coffee in an elegant atmosphere, why would I spend more money on mediocre Costa coffee. And let's not even mention Starbucks!

雖然光線不是太理想，但是室內的維多利亞式裝潢，讓我每喝一口咖啡、每看一個角落都是大大的滿足。不過也因為這樣，其實書也念不太下去，因為光是要欣賞的就欣賞不完了。

The lighting was not ideal for reading, but the Victorian interior was absolutely breath-taking. I did not care how much reading I could get through, because being in there was a delight in itself.

平時要走去櫃台點餐，self-service。不過由於今天正好趕在用餐時間到達，所以直接找位子坐下去，由服務員幫你點餐。我只點了一杯拿鐵，其實有點不太好意思呢！

Usually, you order at the counter and bring your coffee to your own seat. But as I happened to drop by during lunch hour, I was served. It was quite a pity actually, seeing I only ordered a latte.

上次來聽演講就是從這裡上去的。上面也是一樣壯觀。可惜當時沒帶相機，沒能拍到。希望下次還有機會再去裡頭聽演講。

There are lecture halls up that way. That was where I went last time I was here. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me then. I hope I will soon get another change to attend another event up there.

連地版也是『藝術品』。
I simpl adore every single part of this building!

不知道為什麼，我好喜歡這個階梯！
This staircase is my all-time favourite part of the building.

我就說在這喝咖啡的氣氛超級毫派的吧！你可以了解為什麼什麼事都沒發生我都會念不下書了嘛？因為每個角落真的都很美。這種氣氛不是外面隨便一家coffee shop比的過的。而且重點是，他們的價位並不會因為裝潢亮麗就比較貴呀！

As I said, it was an exquisite atmosphere to drink your coffee in. I hope you can now undertand why I could not concentrate on my reading. Every single corner is a piece of art work that deserves attention. This is not the kind of atmosphere that the average coffee shop is able to contend with. And have I mentioned that the price is affordable?

這是柱子！Look at the design of this pillar!

想吃甜的也有。

咖啡喝完後，我沒有馬上回家趕作業。反倒是隨處走走晃晃。大家都叫我努力的到處玩，可是我連利物浦都還摸不熟呀！甚至至今連博物館都還沒去看過呢！所以既然都已經出門了，就先在附近晃晃。看看這頭從沒晃過的地方有什麼好玩的。

I did not walk back to my room righ after coffee. I figured, since I was out and the weather was nice, I might as well just walk around and explore a bit while I'm at it. People have been telling me to play hard while I'm here. Visit as many places and see as many sights as I possibly can. but I have hardly gotten to know Liverpool!

果然晃到維多利亞大樓的後方就遇見了一個小小的新朋友。這種悠閒的週末，我還真是懷念。尤其是因為這天是禮拜六，前一天已經將兩篇作業教出去了。心情整個大放鬆！我想也是因為這樣，才會讓我走到哪都會遇到新鮮事吧！？

Pleasant surprise always find their way to me when I decide to take little detours. I love the feeling of strolling around purposelessly. I guess I was only able to feel this relaxed because this was the day after I had handed in two of my essays.

這是從後方看維多利亞大樓。那個鐘有的時候會響。可是我沒去研究到底什麼時候才會響耶。
This is the rear side of the Victorian Building. The bell sounds sometimes, but I have not figured out the schedule.

文學院！？可是我從來沒進去過。目前我們的大樓其實很破舊。我們同學間開玩笑說：人家商學院跟醫學院的建築物都超級漂亮又豪華，我們的為什麼那麼破舊呢？因為我們念文學的嘛！根本撈不到多少錢。而且只要給我們一間房間，我們就滿足了。可是我也想在這種老舊的建築物裡頭上課耶！

Faculty of Arts? I'd like to attend my tutorials in there! Sadly, our building is an ugly cement building with no interesting designs to it what so ever. We've had a discussion amongst my classmates before, concerning why the management school and medical school get the nicest buildings on campus. We read books. We don't earn thousands and billions of money. Just give us a room, and we'll figure out what to do with it. I have to say, I wouldn't mind studying in an old historical building like this!

雕像特寫

那棟白色的建築物是利物浦大學的另外一間圖書館。Sydney Jones是文學院啦，管理學院啦，法學院啦，社會學院等等專用的。而這間Harold Cohen則是收藏著物理、化學、工程、以及醫學類的書籍。

The white building is the other library on campus. Our library, the Sydney Jones, is for arts, humanities, and social studies. This other one, the Harold Cohen is for the sciences, engineering, and medical schools.

還沒進去晃過呢！改天來進去玩一玩。
I might go in there sometime, just to see what it's like in there.

這是在Sherrington Building牆外看到的利物浦大學的象徵圖。

Otia = Leisure、Studia = to Study、Haec = This、Fovent = to Foster.

This is the emblem of the university. The photo was taken outside the Sherrington Building.

繞了一大圈後又回到同一條路。再讓從不同角度欣賞這棟美麗的紅磚大樓。

After circumfrencing this part of the campus, I returned to the Victorian Buiding. And I must now end this as I have begun, as that is how it is with life - it goes in cycles.

ps.請注意看日期！這可是在下雪前兩天拍的。這幾天的天氣都很奇怪。下雪完的隔天馬上大晴天。然後又下雨。過沒幾下又出大太陽。