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November 3-5- Oxford, UK- Couchsurfing with 4 Spaniards and a Lovely Russian Senorita!
I can't imagine what it would have been like to study in a place so grand as Oxford. The old world, academic charm of this place is so intact and the weathered stone of the historic buildings of study so full of character. Similar to Bath, the buildings blend- one after the other keeping the character of the town- no modern monstrosities to ruin the ambiance. There is something about the setting that simply gains ones respect almost immediately- as if the buildings themselves personify the intelligence of those housed within, both past, present and future.
Such an obvious college town, but not at all in a negative way- this isn't a place where people throw up in the bushes after a night of too much fun at the frat house. Pubs, internet café's abound and buzz with young activity, I marvel at the lines of bikes and streets made with lanes streets made more for 2 tires than 4.
This is a place I would have felt honored and privileged to attend- it most certainly lives up to the reputation that proceeds it. From the spectacular views of the city from St. Mary's (the oldest building in Oxford to the "Harry Potter" breathtaking character of the Christ Church campus and the statuesque features of Magdalen College. The town is dotted with one college after the other- each like one of the 7 dwarfs, with its own characteristic charm. I ventured into as many as possible, some where I wasn't to be allowed- luckily still looking young enough to be a student at the ripe age of almost 27. Lest not forget to mention the T-Rex spotting at the Natural History Museum, a building which shielded me, just in time, from the one and only rain bout I had on the lovely fall day.
Again I was fortunate to find a true home in the city, both with the people I stayed with and with the larger Couchsurfing Community in Oxford. It was my first Couchsurfing experience, sleeping on a comfy, blow-up mattress of 4 Spanish Amigos and one Russian Amiga! When I arrived, we watched the footy, which being a girl who has always appreciated sport, made me feel immediately at home (I still don't feel right without American Football in the fall though). I then accompanied them to the pub after that and met the community of other CSers in Oxford who host and utilize the larger Couchsurfing Community throughout the world. Of these, I struck up a great conversation with a Kiwi named Lucas, who promptly invited me, along with my housemates, to his birthday dinner with the crew the following evening. My first taste of Indian food- spicy but yummy going in, but you know how that story ends being an Arbut and all…..
It was amazing to have just met all of them but to instantly feel so connected and comfortable, to not want to leave. It was so easy to talk to them, to share, because we have a common understanding of how amazing travel is and how important it is to see and share with the world. We cannot be islands or else how are we to learn and appreciate what is beyond ourselves and limited knowledge. I can't say enough except that it made me look forward to future visits across Europe- all too soon it will become too many people, not enough time.
I relished the Oxford experience, took in as much as possible in too short a time and walked away feeling a part of something bigger and more important than myself- and with a deep respect for the architecture and history of academia.
Cheers,
Emily
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