I like living in Oxford most days, but today has been one of those days when I feel really happy to be here and realize how much I'll miss it when we leave. So I thought I'd better record it for posterity.
It's bloody cold out today, but the sun is shining beautifully. I was running late for German class this morning so I took a city bus for the first time in awhile, and it was such a smooth and quick ride (it is a Mercedes, after all!).
I walked past good old St. Giles Church (below) to the Oxford Language Centre, where I and the five other students who showed up learned about German adjectives, comparatives and participles. I also learned a horribly sappy poem called Du bist wie als ein Blume, "You are like a flower." Pleh. She wants us to memorize it for next week!
After class I headed for the Sackler Library, where I had specially requested an archaeological map of Ephesus. They were holding it at the desk for me to look at, and it turned out to be a really useful source. I also found two more great books on Ephesus; both in German, but I find that that intimidates me a little less now. But it still sure takes a long time to read. And as always, I admired the giant hardbook books full of maps and pictures of archaeological sites in Egypt, Turkey, Italy... I want to take them home!
My route took me past the Ashmolean Museum, which has now shed most of its scaffolding and was gleaming in the sunshine. David called, and I chatted with him while navigating busy Cornmarket to the ATM, and then to Pret for a hot wrap. Their latest flavor is Hot Salt Beef, with really good corned beef, mustard, pickle and cabbage. Yum!
My final errand was a quick stop in the Covered Market to look for some wellies. I've been needing some for months but have never gotten around to shopping. Sadly, though, the ones I had my eye on didn't come in my size. I love British "wellie culture" - every weekend we see families and older people out in droves in their big green wellies, tromping through muddy fields and trails with their dogs on long country walks.
The Covered Market is really wonderful, even with all its disgusting fish parts and dead animals on display. It reminds me of Pike's Place in Seattle with a bit of British flavor. The fresh produce is fabulous and super-cheap, and the sandwich shop makes a mean bacon bap. The main bakery is unhappily located right next to the fish shop, but at least the overpowering smell of fish somehow keeps me from wanting a pastry! And fortunately I didn't even go by the cookie place. :)
Finally I made my way to Broad Street, where I started on my hot wrap while waiting for the Wolfson bus. Eating lunch on the street, by the way, is very much the Oxford (or perhaps English, or city) thing to do. Between 1 and 2pm on weekdays, everyone seems to have a Cornish pasty, wrap, or sandwich in hand while hurrying down the street or pausing in front of a shop window.
And now I'm back at home sweet home, where I'll spend the afternoon trying to decipher my new library books.