Oxford Orientation

Saturday Evening

We didn't waste much time heading in to see Oxford, since it was already 4:00. We caught the bus into city center- and it was here that I realized I had forgotten to tell my parents a few things about England.

While we were waiting for the bus, a lady comes up to the buss with her 2 small children, one in a stroller. The first bus that comes by is not the one for city center so she backs away from it so it won't stop for her- Dad thought this first bus was ours...so when it kept on rolling dad shouts out in that southern friendliness kind of way "they tricked you didn't they?"

2 things:

first: they tricked dad, not her.

second: there is an unwritted rule about England that you just don't talk to people

unless you have been introduced formally by a mutual friend or have some
other specific purpose.

This is a strange idea to Kentucky people...who tend to get offended if you DON'T acknowledge strangers on the street with a smile or small talk....to just ignore them is seen as a bit unfriendly. I only regreted that I didn't tell my father of this cultural difference before he chose to break it on a lone woman with children at a bus stop.

The lady chuckled...so it wasn't a big deal really...but from this point on Dad really had a hard time suppressing his need for small talk with random strangers. We joke because I see my father as a bit of an introvert - so you know its bad when an introvert is too outgoing....I suppose its just what comes from years of work in sales.

Our first order of business was to visit Christ Church college and Cathedral. One of the perks to being a student here is that I am able to get in for free along with my guests! It was too bad that the dining hall used for Harry Potter films wasn't opened. But we were still able to tour the courtyard and the Cathedral. Mom was in awe at the stained glass and dad seemed to like the history. I was excited to get a closer look at the details that I'm not able to see in the Evensong services that I've gone to there. I still can imagine that the building itself dates to the 1600's and has educated the minds of John Locke, Albert Einstein, Lewis Carrol, William Penn...

I walked my parents through the streets that most frequently travel- around the Philosophy Library, the Bodleian, the Sheldonian theater where the Archbishop visited, and finally to The Turf pub where we enjoyed the traditional fish and chips. It was actually my first time to have fish and chips in a restaurant here- It was a lot more food than we had expected and it was sooo good. The pub was swarming with people and the table we ended up at we shared with a couple of other ladies- I knew dad was just itching to talk to join in a conversation- and he did well to limit his comments to "Good Evening"

Dad and Mom's Oxford Pub experience

After dinner we attended an Evensong service at Christchurch...as usual I loved the music most- though the boys choir was replaced by older women and men. We then ventured on to Regent's College, where I gave them the grand tour of the place I've spent most of my life for the past three months- the Library.

It was only 9pm but we were all so exhausted. Back at Stanley Road, mom made hot cocoa on the stove- which I've been craving since our trip to Rome. And she got to know my housemate Kristie from Georgetown.

It was a little strange for my parents to come visit me in the sense that its the first time I've ever been in a position that they are coming to Jennifer's house/apartment whatever. Of course, I can't say I was completely a hostess since mom cooked for me- but it is still a change from the usual. A change that I may or may not be ready for.