Oxford, Day 30: Leaving Wonderland and Returning to the States

The day has finally come--I am sitting blogging on my laptop, in my bedroom, back in the States.

No high teas. No last minute run to Sainsbury's for Digestives. No more Pimms.

Thankfully, living in New England--most especially Rhode Island--there will always be fish and chips. Not all is lost!

After walking to city centre from the dorm to Blackwells on Broad Street, British Red Cross on High Street, and Barclays on Cornmarket Street, it is a wonder how I made it back to the dorm on time to catch the bus. I will admit running errands was a bit stressful, but it was great to have one last down Banbury Road and remember everything on such a beautiful day.

We had plenty of time to kill in the airport once we got through check-in and customs. There were a lot of designer boutiques and last minute Duty-Free shops set up everywhere--it was like an upscale mall. Thankfully I was able to find a reasonably priced spinach and ricotta panini at Costa, as well as a water bottle and a bag of M&Ms to hold me over before the seven hour flight.

The flight went well. The stewardesses and other passengers were complaining about how small the plane was, it did not really matter to me--I rarely travel so I would not know how big an international plane should be. Also, being petite, I do not take up that much room either so leg room does not really make a difference.

Landing in Boston, it was hard to believe we were back in the States. We even passed Airforce One on the runway (I guess Obama is visiting?),  but it still does not feel like we returned. Perhaps I am still in denial, but  after finding the rabbit hole in Port Meadow, maybe I never really left.

A boat, beneath a sunny sky,

Lingering onward dreamily

In an evening of July--

Children three that did nestle near,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Pleased a simple tale to hear--

Long has paled that sunny sky:

Echos fade and memories die:

Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantomwise,

Alice moving under skies

Never seen by waking eyes.

Children yet, the tale to hear,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Lovingly shall nestle near.

In Wonderland they lie,

Dreaming as the days go by,

Dreaming as the summers die.

Ever drifting down the stream--

Lingering in the golden gleam--

Life, what is it but a dream?

-Through the Looking-Glass, Lewis Carroll

Oxford, Day 29: The Last Supper at Dew Drop Inn

I am still in denial that I am leaving Oxford tomorrow morning...

This may or may not be potentially problematic. 

It was a quiet day--I made one last trip downtown to make sure I got souvenirs for everyone back home. Then, came back to the dorm, tried packing, but ended up writing a blog post instead. 

My roommate and I organized one last get together with the other students in Summertown at the Dew Drop Inn. I ordered a Pimms and fish and chips for the last supper in England.

Final walk to Summertown 

Dew Drop Inn

Fish and Chips and Pimms

   

Restaurants, Shops, and More: The Best of Oxford List

In an effort to procrastinate from packing, I would much rather reflect on my favorite places and such in Oxford. It is going to be a bit of a random list, but I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed doing these things:

Best Sandwich: Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella panini at Le Parisien
Two pounds, fifty pence of pure delicious--no other way to describe it. Le Parisien also wins for best pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant). 

Coolest Pub: The Turf
It used to be a bear pit and is tucked away in alley, but only a few steps from Oxford's main sites, like the Bridge of Sighs, the Bodleian Library, and the Sheldonian Theatre.   

Best Atmosphere Pub/Restaurant: The Perch
Paradise in Wonderland: the willows, Port Meadow, the Isis River, the river boats...Absolutely stunning.

Best Pimms: Eagle and Child
When you think of eating dinner out in England, ordering fish and chips with either ale or Pimms is your best bet. Pimms is a signature English cocktail and each pub or restaurant makes it differently. Eagle and Child used all fresh ingredients and made a beautiful presentation using a mint sprigs and the fruit. 


Best Fish and Chips: The Anchor; Honorable Mention: White Horse Tavern for presentation
A lot of pubs in Oxford claimed to have the "best fish and chips"--I had quite a few fish and chips at different pubs, and The Anchor definitely won.

Best Afternoon Tea: The Old Parsonage, Oxford; Laduree, London
I loved the Grand Cafe, but The Old Parsonage had the best scones combined with a great atmosphere. Since Laduree is technically a French tea house, I cannot count it as my favorite place for England, but definitely one of my favorite experiences period.  

Best Chips and Cheese: The Boss Kebab Stand in Summertown
Also should be categorized under "Best Bargain for 2 pounds."

Favorite Weekend Trip: Brighton; Honorable Mention: London
Visiting Bath, London, York were also beautiful in their own way, but Brighton was by far my favorite. It is probably a win by default because it is by the ocean and has an awesome pier. Seeing Fashion Week certainly does not hurt its ranking either. Going to the Christian Louboutin exhibit and having tea at Laduree in Harrods makes a close second. 

Favorite Affordable Shopping: Primark
Think Forever 21 but cooler. The fashion at Primark is trendy, but it is still wearable for seasons to come. Also a great place to get souvenirs which are less expensive than the tourist shops in city centre. 

Favorite Historical Monument: Roman Baths
The best thing about the Roman Bath is that they remain active because of the hot spring they are built on. It was great to see wonderfully preserved Roman architecture in England. 

Favorite Museum Exhibit: Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary at the London Design Museum
I suppose if I was a truly cultured individual, I would put the Renaissance Art Display at the Ashmolean Museum or the Dodo Exhibit at the Oxford Museum of Natural History, but seeing all of those red-sole shoes was a feast for the fashion hungry eyes.  

Best Purchase: Wall Art
I have to say, the souvenir for my oldest brother is amazing--and not just because I picked it up on sale. He is tough to buy for, but I figured this was something he would love. Brilliant. 


Best Classroom Memory: Convincing my Shakespeare professor that a homo-erotic relationship exists between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar and the lecture on the significance nonsense during Literature of Oxford at The Perch 

Oxford, Day 27: Mad Hatter Tea and More Nonsense

My roommate and I  walked nearly all day from the dorm, to lunch at our favorite sandwich shop, Le Parisien, then to city centre. We stayed downtown for most of the day window shopping and picking up last-minute souvenirs for family. We went to shops on Broad Street, High Street, and Primark before having afternoon tea at Cafe Loco down the street from Alice's Shop and Christ Church College.

Cafe Loco's atmosphere is a modern interpretation of an Alice-themed coffee shop. There are print canvases of the illustrations in the original Alice in Wonderland in the minimalist, airy space. 

After resting from our long excursion in city center, we met up with other university students and walked to Jericho for Indian food. I never had it before, and it was good to try, but I could not help but think I have not had macaroni and cheese from Cook yet...

To wrap up the night, we stopped at Jude the Obscure pub to watch the EuroCup match, Germany vs. Greece.

Favorite Panini, Favorite Sandwich Shop--Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil by Le Parisien

There was a donation setup for a local bird sanctuary in front of the Westgate Shopping Center where Primark is

We walked through the mystery street with the knob-less doors and  Rochester's Story Supplies

Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea

Perfection

Walking to Jericho

Chicken Biryani with a side of vegetable curry

No way that dog is pink...

Wait, yes it is

Oxford, Day 26: Last Day of Classes

This trip has flown by so fast--today was the last day of classes. I had coffee with one friend who was going to Ireland for the weekend before class and indulged in a Starbucks on High Street. 

In Shakespeare, we watched a movie interpretation of Twelfth Night (1996) which featured a star-studded cast:

Helena Bonham Carter (Olivia)- Harry Potter series as Bellatrix Lestrange, Alice in Wonderland

Steven Mackintosh (Sebastian)- Underworld

Sir Ben Kingsley (Feste)- The Wackness, Shutter Island, Hugo

Imelda Staunton (Maria)- Harry Potter series as Dolores Umbridge

During Literature of Shakespeare, we walked to the University Parks, the Bodleian Library, the King's Arms, and Keble College Chapel. The bittersweet thing was that the trip came to full circle by revisiting the same places we went the same day we came to Oxford. 

Then, the university held a farewell dinner for the students. 

I am not ready to say goodbye just yet. 

Tall White Caffe Mocha and Water

More punting

Looks like a tree behind the library back in Newport--a sure reminder of heading back  to the States 

Return to the Bodleian Library 

Front of the Bodleian Library

The class stopped in the King's Arms for a bit to wait out the rain--our professor was kind enough to buy us popcorn  as an afternoon snack.

The same room we stayed in today and our first day we came to Oxford

Revisiting Keble College

Carnations are part of the students' graduation/exam outfit, sub fusque

Adorable bike by Blackwells bookshop

Moo-Moo's Milkshakes in the Covered Market Place

The class went here the other day, but since I  did not have cash on me then, finally got one today--a small KitKat and Nutella milkshake. Perfection,

Table setting at the university's farewell dinner

Pineapple, Avocado, and Arugala Salad  served with balsamic vinagrette

Turkey Paupiette stuffed with sage and onion, wrapped in streaky bacon served with  jersey royal potatoes, courgettes Provencal and Chantenay carrots

Trio of desserts: summer pudding with cream. lemon tarte, and chocolate mousse shot