Getting to Know You, Oxford

This morning, I felt like I was living in a fairy tale. For breakfast, I ate porridge--and it wasn't too hot or too cold--it was just right! It's fitting to start my day off like that, too, since the Odyssey to Oxford program is run through Kellogg College (yes, that Kellogg).

After breakfast, we met our tutors in the courtyard and I began my study of the Crusades. Today's lesson focused on the history of Jerusalem up to the Crusades. Though Jerusalem means "God of peace," the city has been completely destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, and attacked 52 times. The idea of a Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem began with Constantine's mother, Helena, who claimed to have found the site of the crucifixion.

The weather is temperate here in Oxford. When the clouds rolled in while we were taking our group photograph, nobody worried about pulling out their umbrellas. It just dripped on us like a leaky faucet for a few minutes, and then the sun shone again.

After a guided walking tour of the city, a group of us checked out the gardens of St. John's College. Founded in 1555, alumni include Jane Austen's father and brothers and former British prime minister Tony Blair. I took my favorite photo of the day here:

Afterward, we headed to the Eagle and the Child, where the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings were born. The Eagle and the Child is actually owned by St. John's College, something I can't imagine happening in the United States. They have a few displays honoring C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, including a letter of praise to the pub owners.

One of my favorite things about Oxford is its rich literary history. I love knowing that as I walk down the street, hundreds of books are stored below me underground. I look forward to seeing Christchurch next, where Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland for the dean's daughter.