What I Would do if I Could Live in any Time Period II

I have to confess that I didn't totally read Mark's post on this. However, I did read his beautiful reference to Le Petit Prince at the end, and I knew straightaway that I would never be able to measure up to his deep, existentialist musings (and ultimate conclusion that now is the best time of all). 

I won't lie; I don't mind being alive at this time. I like washrooms. I like books. I like that sexism and racism are diminishing for the most part. However, I am going to assume that I can't stay in the present time. 

That makes things a little bit more difficult. There are so many cool times to choose from. I've always been a history nut, so I have to say that my decision could change very easily on a day to day basis. Right now, though, I'm being heavily influenced by my music history class. When I first learned that we were covering music from Antiquity up until the Baroque period, I have to admit that I thought I was going to be doing all of the boring stuff. Then, I came to a conclusion: I really like medieval music. I don't love all of it - Gregorian chant can become boring after a while - but once they hit polyphony, things become pretty interesting. I love Medieval music from pretty much the start of polyphony onwards, mainly the secular stuff. Let me tell you, while those churches, troubadours, and trouvères were playing some boring monophonic stuff, the peasants were having a rocking time. They were fiddling and fluting and banging away on drums and having awesome dance parties. It's a shame more jongleur songs weren't recorded!

Anyway, because of that, I'd want to go back in time to the 14th century. I would probably want to be either a noble or a nun, though. I could be an awesome nun like Hildegard von Bingen and beat all of the men with my super creative music, philosophizing, and scientific studies. If I were a noble, I would bring all of the peasants into my castle - if they weren't diseased - and we could have rocking dance parties with their awesome superior music. I'd also sing all the time, because the songs back then are so singable! Oh, and I'd get to wear dresses all the time and not have to worry about my future, because I'd either be a noble or a nun, and that means my life would be pretty much entirely figured out. 

I would also travel to Notre Dame and listen to the polyphony they had there. I want to hear some of the pieces we've heard in class in person. 

Yes, I'll admit that wanting to go back to a particular time just for the music may be a little bit strange, but it would be so interesting! The music would be the best part for sure, though. If I have to hear All About that Bass one more time, I may have to hide in a hole and just listen to medieval music on repeat (tragic, right?). Seriously, how cool would that be? And maybe I could even meet Joan of Arc (she's my favourite historical person). Medieval times are looking better and better! I'd better hope I don't catch the bubonic plague, though. That might put a damper on this whole plan...

-Laura