Postcard Poetics: Snapshots of Oxford

Here's a long overdue post about my time in Oxford. Despite not having a "fixed" schedule, I've been really busy lately. It's been nice to not have to continually pack and re-pack as I have a flat at the moment. However, my rental period is about to expire, which means I'm about to hit the road again. I leave for India on December 17th with a layover in Muscat, Oman first. But, I'm planning to go to Edinburgh this weekend and then visit Wales (Swansea, Cardiff, Dylan Thomas Center) next weekend.

I love Oxford. The university buildings and pedicured lawns (reminiscent of Wellesley) are gorgeous. But, there's also an intellectual hunger/fervor in the air. There are bookstores galore! Additionally, the university hosts a wide variety of lectures, many of which are open to the general public since Oxford prides itself on also educating the community. I've managed to get special access to the New Bodleian Library to attend two lectures that were part of a manuscript lecture series (one was on Philip Larkin and the other on Shakespeare). The Philip Larkin lecture was given by Larkin's literary executor and was therefore filled with amusing anecdotes. Other than that, I've traveled into London a few times. Last week was Thanksgiving and I cooked my first turkey...by watching youtube! It was stressful and I set off my fire alarm twice. But, the turkey turned out well! I also made pumpkin pie (not from scratch), but with some Libby's pumpkin filling from the international food market store in town.

Here's some photos from around town:

Worcester College Quad