Shoo the Tabs!*

Pip pip mates! This weekend we went to Oxford. We woke up at 8 AM to catch the coach bus and then set  off on the hour and a half long trip. I slept most of the time, but woke up just in time to see all the beautiful houses on the outskirts of Oxford.

The buses parked and we got out at the Martyr's Memorial to meet our tour guides. After a quick bathroom break we set out for a walking tour of the city. I hate to say I don't remember much of what our guide told us, I was too busy taking in the sights! Oxford is a really beautiful city. It's a lot like Bath but not completely made with one type of stone.

Martyr's Memorial

One thing our guide really wanted to make sure we understood was how the university system works at Oxford. It all seems very confusing, but I'll try to get it right... Within Oxford there are over 40 colleges that you choose specifically when you send in your applications. Instead of regular classes students attend 'tutorials' once a week with professors who are sort of like advisors. These tutorials are supplemented with lectures, experiments, etc. Different colleges are most known for different subjects.

Our guide must have had some sort of connection because you usually can't see the inside of a college (past the quad) without being a student, but he had pre-booked it and got us inside! Each college is centered around a grass quad and most have chapels. The housing for each seemed to be located around the area, but not always inside the walls of the school. The term started today, but there were hardly any students around. I think they were probably all still sleeping!

The quad inside one of the colleges

The quad inside our pre-booked college, the Queen's College

A street in Oxford

Side street

After our tour we headed to the historical Turf Tavern for lunch. It was down the smallest, winding alley way and was made up of multiple small houses. The food was really good but I was really in the mood for fish and chips and they didn't have it! I settled on chili (which was surprisingly good!).

After the Turf we wanted to see Christ Church and College. We stopped in an Oxford bookstore to buy sweatshirts and souvenirs then walked over to CC. We didn't have much time but it's where parts of Harry Potter were filmed! (Oh, and it's also very famous and historic.) We waited in line for about 15 minutes and paid our 5 pound entry fee before we finally got in. We were a bit rushed, and it was beautiful! Maybe not worth 5 pounds, but still beautiful! Besides, I'd pay 15 pounds to see the great hall from HP!

The outside of Christ Church

Me outside Christ Church while waiting in line

Recognize it? It's the Great Hall from Harry Potter! Much smaller that it seems and the ceiling isn't bewitched, but I'll take it! 

Viveca and Ana in the Great Hall!

After Christ Church we pretty much only had time to go to the bathroom before running back to the bus. When we finally got home I cozy-ed up in my new Oxford sweatshirt and fell asleep! Next up... this weekend my friend Amalyah is coming to visit! Hopefully lots of fun stuff to report then.

*The Oxford University fight song! :-)