Oxford - Stonehenge - Bath - London

15 Oct -- Oxford

I arrive at Victoria Station and get a text and a call from Devon saying that we have a problem.  It turns out the place where we were supposed to pick up our tickets opens just as our bus is supposed to leave.  Devon is freaking out, so I said "Let's just wait until these guys open, explain our situation, and see what they say.  And if they turn out to be really huge dicks as well, then I guess we're kind of screwed."  As it turns out, we weren't screwed.  The woman who helped us said "Here are your tickets.  Just catch the next bus out of here."  Devon asked if there was an extra charge, and the woman said no.  This was so much like the coach buses in the States that I suddenly grew more comfortable with this leaving bit. 

Couldn't sleep the entire ride to Oxford because I didn't want to miss the pretty countryside.  Upon arrival in Oxford, we went looking for our hostel, which we didn't find right away.  Instead, we found a tourist information center who told us where to go to get to our hostel.  We followed their directions and got to the right place.  We couldn't check in right away (check in is at 1:30p and we were there around 11a or so) but we could leave our bags behind so we didn't have to carry them. 

Returned to the visitor information center and booked a walking tour of the city that went to all the different colleges.  The Oxford University campus was quite a distance away and we were saving our money for a trip to Stonehenge we liked so we decided to be frugal.  In retrospect, I would really like to return to Oxford for the whole weekend this time.  Anyway, we had about two hours to kill before the walking tour started, so we went to check out Christ Church.

We wandered in front of it for a while, debating if we could see it all before the walking tour.  We walked down a path nearby to a river.  There were some cows grazing nearby and Devon took a picture of me with them in the background.  She was amused by my enthusiasm for cows.

It was beautiful!  We had to pay about 5 pounds to get in . . . or, Devon had to pay 5 pounds.  I didn't have any cash and the guy at the till wanted to rush us along so we can see the Hall before it closes.  So in the general hype of "Move your butt or you'll miss it!", I was shepherded in without paying anything.  Good for me.

The Hall is where they filmed the Great Hall scenes in the Harry Potter movies.  Devon and I recognized it right away.  Sorry I can't post pictures yet.  But if you friend me on Facebook, you'll be able to see my entire weekend in picture form.  One day, when the Internet connection is better, I'll upload the photos to the correlating posts.  Until then, you'll just have to get text.  Sorry.

 Wandered into the chapel afterward and took some beautiful pictures of that as well.  We got a sheet with a mini-guide of the chapel.  The sheets came in all sorts of languages, so for kicks and giggles I got it in Japanese as well as English.  While in the chapel, there was a spot where you could light a candle (like the spot in the back of St. Margaret Mary's back home).  So I lit a candle and said a little prayer for my Grandmas Mary and Hazel.  And, because there was a donation box, I donated the three two pence pieces I had.  The two pence pieces because I'm confused about when to use them and I always seem to acquire so much of them.  Also, I felt guilty seeing the entire thing free when everyone else has to pay.  So that was my tribute.

Moved on to the courtyard, and then the shop.  And then we left to make the walking tour.  Picked up lunch at Pret a Manger and ate on the way there.  It was a really good baguette sandwich.  I'm going to miss baguette sandwiches when I get back home.  I know they're like subs, but they're really not.  Baguettes are smaller and easier to bit into and subs are quite large and takes three bites to get the length of the entire sandwich.  It's only two for baguettes.

Our walking tour guide was named Joan and she was a wonderful woman.  She had a sense of humor and made a few comments about people who built the colleges that made me laugh.  The first college we went to, she explained how the couple acquired the land and then the husband died, so his wife took over building the school and founding it and such.  Joan said she must have been a very grim woman because the entire courtyard is symmetrical -- there's even a false door to balance out the real door to the chapel on the other end of the courtyard!  This was also the college with the brilliant idea to have the kitchens right above the dining hall.  So the warmth of the fires rose to the dining students above and the food wouldn't get cold delivering it across the campus.  The false door is under the dining hall.

Moving on, we saw a chapel for one of the smaller colleges.  It was pretty, but it was hard to hear Joan because someone was practicing their piano in the back.  It was very pretty piano and it gave the whole place atmosphere.  Joan talked about the stained glass windows (which may have really been painted glass) and the artist of the glass.  We also got to sit in the choir seats, which was pretty cool.  The choir seats face each other, and they're not very comfortable at all.  But I guess it prevents slouching and relaxing and falling asleep in church.

Talked a lot outside.  Was led through an outdoors pub that looked pretty cool and talked about the graduation ceremonies outside a grand building.  There was another building under construction and Joan complained about that.  Devon complained about construction too.  I said that the prestige of the school correlates to how much construction it has year-round, then I said that Madison must be really prestigious because I'm pretty sure we have about four things going on at once.  Giant things, mind you.  What it all boils down to is the fact that it's the same everywhere you go.  There's always going to be construction on a college campus (er, University campus.  College and University are two different things over here).

It was really cold outside.  I just had a tee shirt and a sweatshirt and I started to question why I didn't bring my fleece along too.  But I had a long sleeve shirt in my backpack so I was going to wear that the next day.  It didn't help the fact that I was cold THEN and I wanted to be able to feel my fingers again.  Thankfully, we walked into a small museum dedicated to someone by name of John Aubrey.  The exhibition is called "John Aubrey and the Development of Experimental Science".  I didn't care much about the exhibition, just the fact that I wanted to warm up.  I also picked up a small brochure on it just to make sure I remembered it.  Also, learned that the first science fiction-like novel was written in 1836 and was entitled The First Man on the Moone.  Forget the author, but I wouldn't mind looking that up eventually.

We moved on from there and froze some more.  Went into Radcliffe Square and learned about the library in the center of it.  The library looked like an observatory, which I thought was neat.  We also learned about the origin of the name Brasenose Lane.  The house on Brasenose Lane had a brass nose for a knocker.  One day, the knocker was stolen.  A few years later, it was found again on a house in the countryside.  The college had to buy the entire house to get the brass nose knocker back.  Brass Nose because Brasenose and that's how the street got it's name.

Another interesting fact about streets.  The tourist information center is on Broad Street, named so because it used to be the sight of a very broad ditch that marked the outer wall of Oxford back in the middle ages.  Must learn more about the origins of street names in the UK because it's just so interesting!

We then went into the dining hall of another college and had a pretty good chat.  Joan talked about a few places to get tea.  Outside, Devon and Joan talked for a bit.  She got her picture with her but I didn't.  I did manage to get a picture of Joan, which can once again be seen on Facebook.  (Stupid Internet)

To warm up, Devon and I went to a place called the Vault and Garden Cafe, which is connected to a church and all profit goes to the church.  I had hot apple juice (which wasn't very hot because the girl had to make a new batch) and a scone with strawberry jam.  Devon got tea with a scone.  She shared some of her tea with me, and it was deliciously scalding.  But we had tea and scones.  TEA AND SCONES.  How British.  Also took a picture of the cafe because it was off the beaten path and we were probably the only tourists to venture there.  It was a really cute cafe.  Good scones too.

We returned to the hostel just then and was walked through the process of checking in.  A youth hostel is a cheap place for young travelers like ourselves to spend the night when in another city.  You see, people in Europe have the tendency to travel to a lot of different places.  Like how in the States it's completely normal to travel around the country with your family on vacation, it's completely normal for you and a few friends to hop to a different country and spend a week there.  Youth hostels are cheap and are typically dorm style, that is, multiple bunk beds in a single room. 

This hostel was also a backpackers hostel.  Meaning, it was cheap probably had a few other services other hostels would not.  Like free Internet (or Internet in general), a self-service kitchen, free breakfast in the morning, satellite TV in the lounge, etc.  It was a pretty cool place, but Devon seemed to be on edge.  She didn't like the reception person we had -- apparently wasn't friendly enough -- and our room had a lot of people in it.  I went cheap when I was booking. 

For dinner, we went to Tesco about two blocks away and bought some penne and sauce.  We made that in the kitchen and ate it in the lounge where we met an Australian guy who was touring Europe for a while.  He said he had a part time job back home to help fund his travels.  He also said that he didn't continue onto University yet, but he figured he could always do so later.  Until then, he was going to work and travel. 

Also watching real TV for the first time since the States.  Commercials and clear signal and everything.  Two episodes of friends and a movie called Rocknrollas starring Gerald Butler.  I only half paid attention because my eyes were really droopy.  Devon told me to go to bed, and going to bed alone with a travel buddy caught me off guard but I did anyway.  The next morning, I learned that Devon wasn't too far behind me.

I slept right by the heater that first night.  It was nice.  Devon slept across the room.  I also had my valuables tucked away in my sweatshirt and curled up with that for the night.  Giant room of possible thieves.  Call me paranoid, but I wasn't going to risk anything.

~~~

16 Oct -- Bath/Stonehenge

Checked out of the hostel around 9:30a and hopped on the next bus to Bath.  Didn't take any pictures of the scenery because my camera was starting to go from just that one day.  I suspect the battery didn't charge as it should have the night before we left, but there was nothing I could do about it.  I just had to deal.

Still, I was determined to get a picture of sheep.  They're about as common as cows here, but every uncommon in WI.  So I just had to.  (Those with access to me on Facebook know that I got my picture of sheep later that day.)

Upon arrival in Bath, we quickly located our hostel, which was the same company as the previous hostel.  But we agree that this hostel was nicer.  The receptionist was friendlier and took us through check in when we got there.  We left our backpacks behind but I took out the bread, peanut butter, and jelly (plus knife and paper towels) that I packed for lunches.  After getting directions to the tourist information center, that's where we went.

There were two companies with tours to Stonehenge.  One was Mad Max which was about 15 pounds not including Stonehenge admission cost and was four hours.  They went to Stonehenge and another small village where a few more Harry Potter scenes were apparently filmed.  We didn't go on this one because the tourist center couldn't get through to them to book last minute.  Also, they were probably full.  Instead, we went through Scarper Tours, which was fourteen pounds not including Stonehenge admission and was just three hours.  They have an obnoxiously purple bus announcing their company and destination so it's really hard to miss.  Booked last minute through the tourist info center and then rushed to find our way to the meeting place.

Got there and thought there was some trouble because the tour guides had to converse with themselves about cancellations and what not.  But it all worked out in the end. What happened was that so much stuff happened within the same minute that it took another two minutes to figure out what had just happened.  Ever get one of those?  Reminds me of the days when I was stage manager in high school.  In any case, we got our spots for a Stonehenge tour.

It's about 55 minutes through beautiful countryside to Stonehenge.  On the way, we saw thatched roofs, a chalked white horse on the hillside in the distance, a tiny and very unpleasant looking jail in a small village, a hotel that looked like a small castle, and a free range pig farm.  Unfortunately, we didn't see any crop circles being as there aren't any crops at the moment. 

Got to Stonehenge and was really excited!  Because it's Stonehenge.  We had an hour to do as we please around the sight.  Devon and I both got an audio tour (it's free with admission).  We took pictures, we listened to the mysteries and what we actually do know about the sight.  I found the entire thing fascinating because of the mysteries and what we know and how the pieces we have don't seem to fit together into anything resembling a solid answer to our questions about the site.  And it made me think of a story idea that I wrote down as soon as I had my notebook again.  But it was a pain keeping that idea in my head for two hours.  Just had to write it down, you know?

There was some sheep on the outskirts of the site.  I got a picture with them, naturally. 

I thought there would have been a mention of Doctor Who filming at Stonehenge, but there wasn't.  Last season ended with the Doctor being locked in a box called the Pandorica under Stonehenge.  It was a strategy formulated by every species that hated the Doctor!  Oh no!  But my inner geek is showing and taking this off topic.  *ahem*  Moving on . . .

Bought a gift for Adam at the gift shop.  I thought it was witty so he better appreciate it.  Also bought postcards.  Got postcards at Oxford too, but not very many. 

Ate a sandwich on the way back to Bath.  Also just watched the scenery and got a better view of the white horse on the hillside.

Returned to Bath and wandered for a bit.  We went shopping down the main avenue of shops.  Then I got distracted by the church bell ringers in the middle of the lane so I went to check it out.  I learned how to ring church bells and they tried to recruit me into their bell ringing guild.  I find it funny.  They gave me a brochure and everything.  They attempted to recruit me by asking where I'm from.
"Wisconsin."
"That's no good.  Where do you go to school?"
"Madison."
"That's no good either."
Amused me so much.  But they had a place in Texas Devon could join if she wanted even if she didn't ring any church bells.  Didn't get a picture of the church bell ringing because, well, I just didn't.  Devon didn't whip out her camera and I was too busy to whip out mine.  Oh well.  You'll just have to take my word on this.

We each bought a pizza in Iceland to make in the hostel.  While eating and sitting in the TV room, we talked with a few people.  A Polish Dude started talking with us and said that his friend Cam is usually the one who gets to talk to Americans.  He's charismatic with them for some reason or other.  I got to play with the guy's iPhone so I was happy.  Also, he friended me on Facebook for a while.  More on this later.

Drunk Czech Guy started handing out free Stella Artois, which I finally tried.  It was pretty good, but it'll taste better cold.  Then DCG wanted to go out.  I dragged Devon along and the Polish Dude came just because I guess.  But I later learned Polish Dude's real intentions and said "No.  Waaay too fast, buddy!" when he tried to kiss me.  Drunk Czech Guy paid for the beers in the pub.  He also didn't speak very good English.  And he kept disappearing for unknown reasons.  When Devon and I were alone at the table (Polish Dude finding a place with dancing because the bar was closing around 11p), she said "You see?  This is why we say 'No, we're tired' when Drunk Czech Guy wants to go out."  I know what she means.  So, while the guys were gone, we left.  Told Polish Dude at the door that we were going back.  He wanted to walk us back, but we were really firm.  We can take care of ourselves.  Go away.  He got the message.

Slept better that night than the one previous because there were less people in our room.  Only ten beds instead of sixteen.  Once again, slept with valuables in my sweatshirt and snuggled with that.  At about five in the morning, I woke up by myself and just had to journal.  I hadn't journaled all day so I wrote about my day and the happenings and what I learned about staying hostels.  My UK phone has a flashlight built into it so I used that for light.  Then I went back to sleep and woke up when the Polish guys in our room left. 

~ ~ ~

17 Oct -- Bath/London

Breakfast was toast a la the bread I brought along with me.  Devon and I went and bought tickets for the Roman baths and wandered those.  We had audio tours for those as well, and it was fun to listen to.  I tried to take as many pictures as I could before my camera finally died.  Too bad.  It had a good life, I think.  When I return to the states, will have to look into investing into a second battery.  (Dad, it's a FujiFilm Lithium Ion NP-45 in case you're interested -- which I know you probably are.) 

The Roman Bath Museum had screens that would show replications of Roman daily life in Bath.  They were good and all, but then I saw one with a stone masoner and his apprentice.  The apprentice had a very modern haircut.  It made me laugh because I don't think they would have had that kind of hair way back then.  Whoops.  Or maybe they really did, but long bangs and short in the back seems too modern for the ancients.

We caught a free walking tour around the town at around 10:30a.  It was a fun tour.  Couldn't get any pictures.  Outside a theater, we learned about an actor in Bath who played Romeo in Romeo and Juliet so horribly that it became a nationwide sensation and he went on tour so people could laugh at him.  Reminds me of those movies that are so horrible that they're actually quite enjoyable.  Much like Jesus Christ Vampire Slayer (which I've never seen but have heard things about) and Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (yes, that is a legit movie.  Don't believe me?  I have a link).  Also learned that Jane Austen, who spent quite a bit of time in Bath, hated the town.  There was also talk about a architects and people in the area with certain reputations.

There was a series of fancy townhouses that I tried to snap a picture of before the camera actually died.  As in, refused to turn on and acknowledge the low battery level after that point.  One of the townhouses had a lemon yellow door.  Apparently, years and years ago, the woman who lived there painted it yellow. Her neighbors and the city council didn't approve that they took it to court.  The case went all the way up to the hightest court in the UK, which then decreed that she can have her yellow door if she wanted a yellow door.  It's been yellow ever since, even after she died. 

A legend on the healing powers of Bath's hot spring:
There was once a man destined to become a councilman for court.  However, he acquired leprosy so he was forced to become a lowly pig shepherd in the countryside (before Bath was built).  His pigs eventually acquired the disease themselves.   One day, they started playing in the mud surrounding the hot spring.  This man used acorns to lure the pigs out of the mud.  When they emerged, he realized that they were cured of their leprosy.  So he took a bath in the waters and was himself cured as well.  Then he went on to fulfill his destiny as a councilman.

Of course, that's just a very old legend.

We got a free glass of water from the hot springs at a really fancy restaurant called The Pump Room with purchase of our museum ticket.  We waited a while for the water and when it did come, it was warm and not very good.  But I still drank half a glass because I didn't think it was as bad as Devon made it out to be.  All I needed was one of those oliver crackers (or whatever they were called) and my systems would have been cleared and healed!  (according to ancient healing tradition)

Devon also kept complaining about the weather.  Not sure how cool it was, but it was quite cool.  She said it was Christmas weather and I said "Are you kidding?  This isn't even close to cold!"  She rolled her eyes.  Then again, she is from San Antonio.  I am from Madison (in a manner of speaking).  Different climates.

Our bus for London left about quarter to two.  This changed since I last told people because I didn't buy the bus ticket when I was supposed to.  So we bought it when we got to Bath the previous day, before we found our hostel.  Anyway, it was a good time to leave because there wasn't much else to see in the small town.  Got into Victoria Station around 6p.  Returned to the dorm and went to see if Oscar wanted to have dinner together.

Hung out with him for a while.  We were invited to see The Social Network that night with Denise, Lynn, and Cieron.  The theater was in Piccadilly Circus, which is a wonderful place at night.  So many lights and tourists and the atmosphere is really fantastic.  There was a small premiere thing going on, but we didn't know for what movie or anything.  It cleared out a few minutes after we got there anyway, so we'll probably never know.  Tickets to the movie were 10.50 pounds.  Which is a LOT!  The screen wasn't very big and the seats weren't stadium style like they are in Marcus Cinemas in the States.  As always, there were 20 minutes of commercials before the movie actually started.

And that's how I learned that the founder of Facebook is a really big asshole.  Pardon my language, but he is. In any case, it's a really good movie and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good movie.  It kept me engaged in the happenings, I understood what was going on, but the only thing resolved was the court case.  And I like that about it. 

Ordered pizza with Oscar when we got back.  Delicious pepperonni.  Reminds me of home.

I was told by Ryan (who has long since returned to Syria) that you never stop missing your family and friends back home.  That never goes away.  He's been in Syria for all of a year now and he still misses his family.  It's just something you come to live with.  You talk with them when you can, you keep in touch, but you can still miss them. 

I miss you Mom and Dad.  I miss you when I sit in my room for two hours by myself blogging about my entire weekend.  I miss you when I'm sitting on a coach bus and watching the stone cottages fly by because they remind me of fairy tales and if you saw them they will remind you of me.  And I keep thinking about the coming day in January when I finally arrive in Minneapolis all jet-lagged and travel worn.  And we'll lay in the hotel bed like we did before I left, the three of us snuggling together (and then getting tackled by Ryan and Adam -- it's a package deal I wouldn't trade for the world).  But even though I'm across the world and having new experiences and making new friends, know that I still miss the close companionship of home and people who understand my subtle signs.  I miss you and I love you. 

I have another day ahead of me.  I'm meeting with Becky to talk about travel plans in the coming months (she invited me to Rome!) and I have an entire essay to plan out for next week.  Shit, I have an essay due in a week.  You'll hear about that later today.  Until then . . . [witty and cheesy closing line here].