Our lengthy bus ride to Oxford was painless as we stopped twice in two hour intervals. Our second stop was at Hardwick Hall, the estate of Bess of Hardwick who was the second-wealthiest woman in England- second only to the Queen of England herself. The manor is enormous and is covered in the most elaborate and beautiful tapestries. Most of the furniture that is on display is in fact original, as well. There are some lovely manicured gardens with statues and an apple orchard as well.
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| A tapestry in Hardwick Hall. |
Our arrival in Oxford (specifically Lincoln College) was well-anticipated and it certainly did not disappoint. We were received by Sally with refreshments and some introductory remarks before we all received our room locations and keys. I am living in a single above Grove Square, which is the lawn we are allowed to walk on and where we may play croquet. Lincoln College has the most remarkably green and manicured lawns I have ever seen. Pete, the gardener, certainly deserved the annual gold medal awarded to the Oxford college with the best lawn! The inside of my room is quite pink, possibly my least favorite color, but I think it is so charming and the perfect size. I have my own bathroom, window seat, bulletin board, not to mention the lovely view of Grove Square.
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| View of Grove Square from my room. |
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| My single! |
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| So pink! Ah! |
Our first day consisted of tours around the city. Our guide, John, pointed out places of historical, practical, and, of course, Harry Potter interest! We visited New College, the church of the College of Saint Mary the Virgin, and the Bodleian Library, among other places. After our tours it was time to get ready for our European Studies 2010 picture and our first High Table dinner!
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| The Bridge of Sighs. |
Our picture took an unbearably long time, and I cringed every time the photographer took a step as he was treading on our precious award-winning lawn (under ordinary circumstances, NO ONE except the gardeners are allowed on the lawn). Our impatience immediately subsided when we were greeted in Grove Square with champagne and sherry. Drinks in hand, in the perfectly cool evening air, we met our professors, nay, "dons," for our six weeks in Lincoln College. They were all wonderfully British, (well, one is Scottish), and very very intelligent. One even calls himself "over-educated" (jovially, of course)! We filed into the Great Hall for an amazing dinner consisting of sea bass and white wine, followed by duck, sweet peas, potatoes, and red wine, with an incredible chocolate torte for dessert. With very full bellies, and minds gauzy but bright, we listened as Dr. Masters (a former administrative of European Studies) gave a speech. It was beautifully done as he asserted that we are the masters of our education. That there is no point in liberal arts education these days, what with the internet, but the point is for us to have initiative to be inspired and to inspire others. By going to a liberal arts school, we don't attain an education, we experience one. As for technology, Google can tell us when Durham Cathedral was built and of what material. But, it can't explain the feel of the cool, rough, and porous texture of the stone columns lining the nave, nor can it capture the alarming creak of the old wood pews in the choir as you take a seat. After such a motivational speech, I'm ready to prove myself here. After all, graduate school isn't out of the question...
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| Enjoying sherry and champagne before High Table dinner. |
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