its business time

Oxford is everything and nothing that i expected for it to be.

scary

with a security blanket

overwhelming

with a shallow end

beautiful

and rustic and metropolitan and different

historic

and enterprising and reinventing

tiny

and still quite large when on foot

eclectic

and still with that endearing english charm

central

yet a widespread cotswolds

contradictory

of collegiate and working-class endeavors.

cobble-stoned

slow, and paved-motorway fast

sandwiches

here, there, and everywhere.

pay as you go

phones, transportation, food credits, life-credits, even.

bicycles

on every stationary surface

primark

for the cheap digs

pubs

for pints, politics, and pollock

pints

to save the queen

its like an assault on the senses in a slow way here. it doesnt feel overwhelming at first. its gradual. it almost feels welcoming. and this isnt to say its threatening or dangerous in any way because i truly am loving it here. but the differences between this college town and the one the oxonians have so-far semi-jestingly referred to as "azoozoo" are quite stark.

this place impresses upon the individual the weight of the scholar, which is a gown of which i am finding myself to be quite fond. the curiosity is piqued in oxford- each corner contains a treasure to be unearthed. literally anything could be found down a corridor- a pub infamous for bill clinton's having smoked pot in the corner, a small chapel perfect for the attitude of hushed and quiet prayer, a courtyard filled with squeals and giggles of schoolgirls fresh from afternoon studies, the neighborhood grocer with an italian nectarine as the perfect snack for 30p, or even a centuries old bridge, courtyard, building. no matter where you turn, you cant get lost. youre always found, as youve always found something worth finding. knowledge, familiarity, a little piece of your new home- thats always worth finding.

you can climb a street youve gone up twenty times and then catch a glimpse of lights youve never seen before, as happened a few nights ago to me when we were at eagle and child (the former happy haunt of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and our new favorite and oft-frequented pub). we headed for ice cream at g&d's (which was lovely, strawberry and clotted cream) when i finally discovered the area of oxford known as old jericho. its absolutely breathtaking. unique and strange with character and kitsch unlike any other in the 'shire'. i plan on getting lost there again this weekend.

and the canal! oh the canal.

near dr donovan gray and his wife lana's home in north jericho is this lovely expanse of green bluff dubbed port meadow. miles and miles, or, kilometers, of little hills and grazing lands for cows, sheep, shetland ponies, clydesdales- all existing in quiet and happy peace with a few rough and graveled paths running through. its spiritual release. bluffs of clouds above and grass below, each mirroring the soft, elemental basics of nature. it makes you want to melt. to just sink in there. to waste away into thought. into lack of thought. nothing and everything. the stark bare beauty of nature is such a trip when youve just trekked out of the ornate, decorated, manmade elegance of the city of spires.

but just beyond port meadow is a small streamlet from the river thames. barge boats and buddy boats and small punting boats are all docked along the shore. its a beautiful sight to be seen. as you can see. :D but in our desperate attempt to hurry back alllll the way home to my faraway home at 123 Botley Road, we discovered, with the help of some freshwater plimpy fishermen, a walkway along the canal that seems something of storybook legend. branches adorned with leaves seem to curve over, giving passage to the adventurer. tree trunks and tall stalks of flowers salute the sojourner. its truly something from a children's book. especially in the sunset.

and as we crossed the footbridge, we came upon a parade a ducks and swans. graceful, beautiful creatures in everyday tom's backyard. so close as to bite our shoes. and they did. they sat with us for a half of an hour until we unwillingly bid them goodbye as the golden sun slid into the purple sky.

but i'll be back to see them again tomorrow.

you can see them now, though.

ive oh so much more to tell and not the time in which to tell it.

but this is an update, a tidbit.

enough to leave you thirsting for knowledge

to pass to you the desire for lifelong scholarship

curiosity

inquisitiveness

a spirit of inquiry

an explorative mind

the probing tongue

and questions to ask galore.

go on. ask them!

kisses and squeezes from oxford

cheers!

carynichole