Oxford

           Hi everybody, I hope you aren't missing me too much! There isn't much to say but I did go to Oxford this past Saturday. Lets just say Oxford is nothing like UConn. Most of the buildings were built in the 16th and 17th century. Giant, aging buildings tower over the entire city of Oxford. 38 different colleges make up Oxford, each containing a variety of students. I loved how ancient everything looked from the outside, but as soon as you walked into one of the buildings everything is very modern and up to date. Each college has its own church. Oxford is also known for its few museums (mostly the Ashmolean museum) and theaters, but mostly its ancient architecture and the school. A lot of the scenes from Harry Potter were filmed in Oxford actually. The infirmary scene was and some of the court yard scenes. The great dining hall in Harry Potter was not filmed in Oxford but was modeled after the dining halls in Oxford. The professors even have their own table raised on a platform, just like in the movies.

        When we first arrived in Oxford we went on a three hour walking tour. There was so much to see and so many stories. We saw a pub where C.S. Lewis and Tolkien frequently visited and conversed. We saw the lamp post that was the inspiration in the Chronicles of Narnia, because Lewis would teach classes and walk the same way home every day in the snow, passing the lamp post with every journey. We saw a building with two towers that was rumored to have inspired Tolkien. We went to a pub that was visited by all different people including Bill Clinton and Shakespeare. After the tour we were left to do our own thing so naturally all the girls went shopping. They had a very unique indoor market place that sold the most amazing chocolate chip cookies. We also all bought Oxford clothing, trying to fit in with the rest of the city. It was a beautiful city and I am so happy I was able to see even more of England. Friday I am leaving for Dublin and the following week I'm heading to Barcelona so hopefully my posts will get a little bit more interesting in the future. I miss you all so much, and it is crazy how much time has already gone by. I will be back before you know it! Also if you would like to videochat me, my skype name is audiej10.

(dining hall)

(two towers)

(Narnia Lamp Post)

(infirmary scene)