When
I first heard we were taking a trip to Oxford, the first thing that came to my
mind was, “old” and “antiquated”. What I found, however, was a thriving, knowledgeable
world focused on business and success amidst a backdrop of beautiful scenery
and legendary buildings. Oxford has been able to incorporate a thriving society
into an aged surrounding and it is this meshing of two different worlds that
makes it such an enigmatic place to be a part of.
After
first eating at the oldest pub in the city, I was surprised at the mixture of a
quaint solitude interspersed within a building set between a bustling college,
a church, and beautiful green space. Additionally, this pub had ties to
modernity within contemporary society with a comedic sign that satirized Bill
Clinton for “not smoking weed” at this pub. This beautiful contrast is what
made Oxford such a joy to visit, for after eating there, which was absolutely delicious
by the way, we then took a small tour of one of the colleges immersed in the
city, St. Johns College.
It
was here that the history of the city was found, and it was apparent in the
intricate detailing of the buildings. Even the rainwater drainage pipes found
along the walls had ornate shields placed above them. The emphasis on solitude and
finding inspiration when studying was also found in the spaces allotted for
their beautiful gardens; the finely trimmed grass outlined a clearly cut
walkway aligned with benches, sifting through looming trees and delicate flowers
was breathtaking. Oxford was a definite surprise, a delightful experience, and
a beautiful place to just sit and observe; a place I would definitely enjoy
going back to.
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