The sun is shining in Oxford today.
Blue sky frames the many spires and turrets that soar around
this beautifully calm 8th century city – although my new
friends and
I agree it feels more like a town. There is an air
of tranquillity around the place - it puts you in the mood for classical
music and literary fiction (which I guess is appropriate). It's amazing
being able to walk around the same places as such figures as J.R.R.
Tolkein and Oscar Wilde.
Speaking of friends, here’s a picture of us before
setting out on our pub stroll (I don't think they like the term 'crawl'
in Oxford). They have a lot of pubs in Oxford. Well over 50. One
of the shops near Exeter College sells a black and white picture with 63
of the pubs ready to be coloured-in as you visit each of them.
 |
| Heading out on the pub 'stroll' |
Exeter College is filled with these marvellous old stone buildings
– although most of our rooms are built from contradictorily modern materials.
The dining hall and chapel remain in all their archaic glory however. Here are
some shots I took of the chapel.
Every meal is held in the hall, which is extremely Hogwarts-esque with
long oak tables and lamps along the length. Waiters (and not magic)
bring the food however, and nobody sits at the high table except for
very formal occasions. It will be a shock when I leave here and need to
start cleaning up after myself again.
 |
| Exeter College Dining Hall |
Maybe it's the historic setting; or maybe it's the crowd of writers like
myself; but Oxford just feels like a lovely place to be. Already we
look at the tourists scornfully, almost as outsiders, as we swan our way
back to College after a day trip around the city. I expect these three
weeks will vanish all too soon.
~Damon
Damon Meredith is completing AIM Overseas' Oxford Creative Writing Program
this July 2012. Damon is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of
Communications (Journalism) at University of Technology Sydney.
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