Oh, Nostalgia

My friend Adrie, who studied with me in Oxford, and attends Hendrix with me, recently posted this Buzzfeed article on my Facebook page featuring scenes in Oxford.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/dianabruk/photos-that-prove-oxford-is-an-awe-inspiring-wonderland

Obviously we were both overcome with nostalgia, and it prompted me to dig up this blog again. As I sit in my apartment in Conway, AR, waiting to go to class, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect. In my favorite form (lists), here are a few things I am missing from wonderful Oxford:

1. PUBS: what else would I put first? No matter how much I might enjoy karaoke nights at Zaza, it does not compare to the pub-crawls I ventured on in Oxford. How could it when there is no Strongbow on tap that comes in pints?! I miss those nights that involved marking off 3-4 pubs from the list before venturing home and stopping at the KFC on Cornmarket Street to get a Supercharger Sandwich. Classier pub-ventures included pints with my professor after our tutorial. Both situations: I miss!
2. British accents: what else would I put second? But more specifically, listening to professors with British accents. I really could have sat on the couch across from Professor Barry and listened to him talk for days. It also helped that we were talking about Tolkien.
3. Which makes me think of #3: writing papers on Lord of the Rings…for school! I'm totally satisfied with my tutorial subjects…even though I never failed to stay up past midnight the nights before my tutorials working on my papers. I'd make toast, fix some tea, chat with friends back home (it was only noon there), and the next day I'd struggle with the printer, but each paper was something I felt proud of.
4. G&D's ice-cream (even though it was freezing outside). And (insert all other food here).
5. Excursions with Penelope and Francis (our English mum and dad). These were true to the statement that "the journey can be just as fun as the destination"…or something like that? Penelope would pack us "sustenence" (usually a candy bar), and we'd pile into cars and wince as cars flew past us on the wrong side of the road. Thrilling!
6. Saying, "Cheers" instead of "Goodbye."
7. Nights that involved us staying in because it was simply too cold (and we were simply too wimpy). However these nights were some of my favorites: watching terrible movies, browsing Pinterest, eating cake made in mugs, not changing out of pajamas for 24 hours…
8. Walking: along the canal, to the store, in search of food, on tours led by Francis, getting lost...
9. Receiving mail: snail mail is powerful when the occasional homesickness strikes, but actually just in general! Currently my Hendrix box has cobwebs in it.
10. That one time we made Thanksgiving dinner and Francis and I had this exchange:
Francis: "What exactly are we celebrating? Your country getting rid of us?"
Me: "Oh no, of course not…..that's the fourth of July!"

I could go on and on, but won't because I need to go to class. I left off how I miss the friends I made (cause that's cheesy and DUHHH) and I definitely could have elaborated on my affinity for tea time, or Barry's chevron sweater.

Well, this was fun!

Arthur's Seat

Tip top of Edinburgh (Arthur's Seat summit)

After yesterday's excursions, I felt accomplished with my trip to Edinburgh. I had successfully crossed off everything I had planned. However I still had another day left in the city. Last night I was frustrated because I felt like if I didn't have any sort of agenda, I would be bored during my last full day here. I turned to "tourist-y" websites online and all of them seemed to agree that one's trip to Edinburgh would not be complete without a hike up to Arthur's seat. So I thought, "Meh, sure. Ok, I guess I'll give into these other tourists who think they're travel experts." I decided if I had just one plan, I'd be good. So I became set on climbing Arthur's seat the next morning.

After my breakfast, I set off back to Holyroodhouse which lies next to Holyrood Park (and Arthur's seat). And then...I started walking. Soon everything that surrounded me was hill, and Edinburgh lay below. Yesterday at Calton Hill I was able to get a pretty good view of the city and I felt pretty satisfied with the many aerial type views I've had in the last few days. I was mainly hesitant to climb Arthur's Seat because I thought it was just going to be another view of the same thing. But I was happily surprised to be wrong.

There's a reason this is talked about on "tourist-y" websites: it's amazing. It's such a beautiful, pleasant, and natural place, but yet, in the busy city. I think I also enjoyed myself so much because I've missed the "green" and nature that lacks from living amongst the busy city streets.

The farther I traveled up, the more cold it got (duh) and the ground became more and more covered with ice/snow. I got kinda nervous because my tennis shoes did not have the sort of traction that hiking boots do (and being prone to falling didn't help). But I kept climbing, stopping to take lots of pictures. I'll finish this post with pictures of the journey. Besides describing the cold and the fact that I was wearing two pairs of wool socks, I think the journey is best shown by the pictures I took:

After just beginning the walk

Um, yes this was taken using self timer...

What lay behind me

What lay in front of me

I've reached more snow! (Almost there)

Gorgeous! Just as I was approaching the summit.

After hiking back down and walking around the rest of the park.

Looking at where I was earlier

Hill, Harry, Holyrood

Top of Calton Hill

Unfinished monument at Calton Hill

This morning after my hearty breakfast, I hiked up Calton Hill and got a look of the city from a different direction than yesterday at the castle (plus, I could see the castle in my view). When I arrived, I was probably only one of about five people up there, and the sun had not fully risen. So it was a treat to get to watch the sun rise and I felt like I was in on some kind of secret because hardly anyone else was up there to see it with me. I walked around the whole hill, taking pictures of every direction. I could see clearly Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat (which I opted not to climb today).

The Elephant Cafe: "Birthplace of Harry Potter"

I stayed on the hill for about two hours until my stomach started growling. Then I headed back towards the city center and stopped for a bite to eat at The Elephant House. This is the cafe that JK Rowling would come to and write Harry Potter. Outside the windows is a great view of the castle on top of the hill and it's not hard to imagine that it provided a great influence as she wrote about Hogwarts. I kind of "nerded out" because I thought it was so neat to see where the books began.

Next I walked the opposite direction down the Royal Mile and toured the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, which is the Queen's summer residence.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Aftter walking around Holyrood, I made my way to Prince Street and did some shopping. They have a three story Primark and I had to leave because I was overwhelmed! As I was walking along Prince Street, it started to rain...and then it started to snow. The high today was about 33, and the type of weather that makes your nostrils practically freeze together. I had to stop in a coffee shop for some hot chocolate and a pastry so that I could thaw out. Once I noticed the people outside put away their umbrellas, I went back into the cold and headed straight for the Christmas Market down the street where I got a bratwurst and sauerkraut for dinner. It's only 7 pm right now, but it's been dark for the last three hours. And in that time I've come back to the hotel to warm up again after dinner.

Castles & Christmas Bagpipes

Yesterday morning I did that thing where I turn off my alarm without committing myself to getting out of bed. When I actually woke up it was 9:15 and I was supposed to catch the 9:37 train. I've never shoved things in a suitcase faster. Luckily I had packed the majority of my things the night before. Then I raced with my suitcase behind me for the station and made it at 9:36. The train was delayed ten minutes, so I was allowed some time to get a pastry and a drink and then sit on the bench and catch my breath. Luckily that was my only travel drama of the day, and last night I arrived successfully to Edinburgh!

Bundled for the wind at Edinburgh Castle

This morning I had toast, eggs, sausage, porridge, and tea at my bed and breakfast and then made my way to the Royal Mile. I started by walking towards the castle and was waiting for something to remind me of my time here 10 years ago. Then it hit me, literally, the wind. Walking up in front of the castle I got the image of my brother almost flying backwards because the wind was so strong. And I was then reminded why it was so windy when I got to the top of the castle and looked out over Edinburgh towards the coast. Such a purty sight!

A German Christmas Market

I wandered around the castle, saw the Honours and the "Stone of Destiny," decided I'd need to do more planning if I were to steal them, and then moseyed my way back along the Royal Mile.

From high up, and down below, the city is beautiful. And it's even more beautiful being here during the Christmas season. I found myself later wandering around a Christmas market. I got mulled cider to warm my hands and insides and listened to the variety of music playing: Christmas music, bagpipes, and bagpipes playing Christmas music.

Ice-skaters

After a day of walking I stopped for some dinner and the TV in the restaurant was playing the news. It was just announced that Kate Middleton is pregnant! Meanwhile Harry is still single and...so am I. Tomorrow I'll go to Holyrood Palace and see if any of the royal family is there so we can fix this situation.

Cupcakes and Mulled Cider

I've got the bag packed for Edinburgh! Now I'm just double checking my train times and that I've got my wallet. I leave for the train station tomorrow morning and should get to Scotland in the late afternoon. Then it's five days of searching for a strapping Scottish lad (but probably just eating shortbread and whiskey), and then it's back to Oxford for a night before leaving for the US on Friday.

Henry!

I spent the majority of the day cleaning the apartment. I'm not sure how, but every single dish managed to get dirty this last week. I also cleaned out the fridge. The only thing left is some butter, jelly, and bread. To get rid of food, and avoid buying new food, I ended up feeling like quite the HOBO yesterday...I had a can of beans for lunch, that's how bad it was. And now I'm planning to make several pb&j sandwiches to take with me on the train. I can't help thinking how proud my father would be of my savvy traveling.

Mulled Cider (with an orange)

I also did a lot of vacuuming today. I'm posting a picture of Henry, the vacuum. If I had known this little guy was in the closet, I would have done some more cleaning this semester. And I didn't make up the name "Henry." All the Brits know who he is...To me though, this is hilarious!

I did still manage to get out into town today. I went to the Covered Market (one of my favorite places) and got some lunch. Then as I was walking around I looked, as usual, in the cake shop. When I saw they had a special on cupcakes I couldn't resist passing that up.

Later I had dinner with Cam, Adrie, and our friend Maggie at Byron's Burger. Then we stopped at The Chequers for some drinks. I got a mulled cider to warm me up from walking in the bitter cold. It was so warm and so tasty!

Tomorrow I'll be in Scotland!

When in Europe, GALLIVANT

JUST FINISHED MY LAST TUTORIAL! It is bitter sweet indeed. That makes 13 total papers written and turned in while I've been in Oxford. Roughly 26,000 words.

I can tell that my days in the last few weeks have gotten extremely busy because I haven't had time to sit down and write a blog post about all the gallivanting I've been doing (cause that's what you do in Europe, gallivant). Now I have such a feeling of relief knowing that I can sit here without a paper looming in the back of my mind and can fill in Emily Estes about my daily life.

A day by day catch up is in order:

Moo Moos Milkshakes

Wednesday: I was scheduled to have my Tolkien tutorial with Barry. Since there has been flooding, he was unable to make it into town on time by the train so had to reschedule for Thursday. I didn't get this message until I was at Penelope's. So I spent the next hour just talking in the basement with her.

Tower view

Then I walked with Britney and Adrie to get some lunch. Since we've been here we've walked past a pizza place almost everyday and drooled looking through windows. Finally on Wednesday we decided to actually eat there (and lunch is cheaper, so it worked well). Then afterwards we went to the Covered Market and got Moo Moos (yes, real name) milkshakes. Tasty!
After spending time back at the flat working on my next tutorial, I headed back out with Adrie and other Olivia to evensong at St. Michael's church (Penelope and Francis are members there and we met them both). After the service, Penelope took us up the bell tower and we were able to see a view of Oxford from above. It was nighttime, but the shadows of the spires, and the Christmas lights below were truly amazing to look at.

NARNIA!

Thursday: I met Barry at Penelope's for our final tutorial. I read my essay, Barry said, "Excellent!" and then we left along with Britney for a cab. The three of us got in a taxi and made a loop around Oxford so that Barry could show us some Tolkien and Lewis (Britney is studying CS Lewis) places. We started at Lewis' house. Then Barry showed us the pond behind the house. Guess what this was? NARNIA! (well it's where Lewis wrote and was inspired to write Narnia). We didn't enter through a wardrobe, just an iron gate. Then we stopped by both Tolkien and Lewis' grave sites before heading back.

HARRY POTTER STEPS!

The taxi dropped Britney and me off outside of Christ Church where we then met Adrie. We have been wanting to visit Christ Church ever since week one, but it wasn't until yesterday that we were able to squeeze in time. Finally I was able to walk the same staircase as Harry Potter and see the Great Hall.
Instead of grabbing dinner, we headed over to Penelope and Francis' house for a "Farewell Tea Party" in our honor. Penelope outdid herself making cakes, scones, brownies, sandwiches, and of course tea. The five of us students presented the Warners with a gift: a framed picture of all of us at Blenheim. In return Francis gave us another one of his books. It has seriously been an absolute pleasure having the Warners as guides and hosts this semester, our English mum and dad!

Friday (TODAY): I had my last tutorial on the Anglican Church. I woke up early this morning to finish the essay, then I went to the library to use the printer. I had about an hour to kill, so I went to Primark and made my first purchase after months of just browsing: legwarmers! (The temperature highs have recently been in the 30s.) Next I went to Tesco to get a few things for next week: bread and peanut butter. Finally I had my tutorial, turned in my last paper, and then went out to eat with the rest of the group.

I've now got both suitcases out of my closet and am slowly starting to fill them. One will go with me to Scotland on Sunday. This is so very weird, especially taking down pictures and letters from my walls. My roommate left early this morning for Paris, and the other Olivia leaves tomorrow for Amsterdam. Cam and Adrie leave for the States on Sunday...so last night and tonight have been all about saying goodbyes.

Tomorrow is my last full day in Oxford. WHAAAAT?

Weekend Recap

Christmas festivities

21st birthday!

My life in the last few days via A LIST!

• Last Friday there was a Christmas light celebration. Several streets were closed, including St. Giles where booths with vendors lined the sidewalk and the rest of the road included a ferris wheel, carousel, and music stage. This was all outside the window of my tutorial in the Pusey House. Needless to say it was distracting. When I got done with my tutorial I bought a "mulled hot cider" from one of the vendors to take with me on my walk home. Tasted like the holidays!
• Saturday was rainy all day. The canal path that I normally take into town has flooded. Actually several parts of Oxford have flooded because there has been such an unusual amount of rain.
• Sunday was my 21st birthday. I celebrated to the best of my abilities being away from friends and family back home. I spent the day wandering around Oxford, occasionally stopping in shops and then grabbing a bite to eat for lunch at a cafe across from St. Peter's. Adrie made me a cake. Then she and I met Britney at The King's Arms for some drinks. 
• Today I bought my ticket to Scotland for next week. I leave Sunday and return back to Oxford on Thursday in time to get the rest of my bags and head for the airport and the fly to America. WUT?! SO SOON!
• Now I am writing my last paper for Professor Barry (my tutor for my Tolkien course). The only thing that's keeping me from getting too distracted is that I'm incorporating mentions of dragons into the paper. If Barry is wearing his chevron sweater tomorrow I might cry from cuteness overload.