Of Christ & Cookies (But Not of Pastries Consumed By Jesus)

Today started with more Cadbury chocolate spread, followed by a visit to Christ Church. My group and I were running a bit late for the 10 a.m. service, and booked it through the city only to walk in about two after. I was afraid that the place would be packed, which it was pretty well full, but an usher escorted us to front pews! Our seats were right next to the boys' choir, an extremely talented bunch of lads of many ages. The group looked to range from about age 7-maybe late 20's, and they played a giant role in the ceremony. It was beautiful! The arrangement of the church was interesting. Rather than facing the front of the church, all of the pews were lined along the sides, parallel to the main aisle. Graves of esteemed folk were marked in many places on the floor, apparently because being buried in the ground on holy ground is a sure way to heaven. Afterward we stuck around for a few minutes to peruse, though we couldn't stay long as another service followed.




(I know these aren't intersting, but take my word for it: the interior was beautiful!) I could see all of the images from my Western Art book I read early my sophomore year flash before me throughout the entire ceremony, as I tried to connect the architecture terms with what I was seeing:


(P.S.: I didn't actually take this photograph but…I could have!! Also, my seat was in the bottom right corner of the photo! The far end acted as the back of the church during today's ceremony, though it doesn't seem like it should be. Hmm..)

Afterward we roamed about the courtyard of the college. It's usually closed off, but since we had made it in for church by means of a friendly man in a bowler hat allowing us to enter the gates, we weren't going to let this time go to waste.



In the courtyard of Christ Church College. I am facing the cathedral, and the surrounding buildings are the college.


This old woman was just too cute. And very English.



This strangely reminds me of the statue of Samothrace. Needless to say, I felt entirely cliché posing for this photo.



And again, in Christ Church's courtyard.

The city was already bustling around 11, and naturally, I was craving a pastry. I always am. The streets are lined with a ton of cafés; it is all about trial and error, finding the good ones. Today was a miss. I spotted the most glorious chocolate chip cookie practically yelling at me from the window of a shop. When I stopped in and bought one for £1.60, I was sorely disappointed. DRY, and not tasty whatsoever. My search for the perfect café continues!



The misleading cookie. Don't let those chips fool you, folks!



Catching up on my World "News." The British would use 'romp.'

I ran across some of the streets I'd seen in last evening's Ghost Tour. They look so much more — lively — during the day time.


The walls on either side are of 14th century structures. I've been told that many a man fought and died on this street!



Church of St. Mary the Virgin. I've been meaning to get inside the building, you can actually stand above the clock and get a pretty good view of the city for 50p I believe. The flowered tree outside is very common in this area, and they are soooo beautiful. You can see at the corner of the photo, two girls sitting in the branches. I am determined to sit up there one of these days, and relive my old past of climbing trees!



Finally, I got a little more acquainted today with the currency, as I pulled out the vast coinage that has collected in my wallet. This stuff weighs you down! The most interesting part is the coin values. There are £1 and £2 coins, then 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p pieces. I must say...is the 2p really necessary?! C'mon! Your coins are breaking my back, England!

The last stop of the evening was a late visit to the nearby grocer. The shop is no bigger than a glorified walk-in closet, yet he has every kind of chocolate imaginable. Tonight I bought some ORANGE CHOCOLATE, my absolute favorite (which I can never seem to find ANYWHERE). I bought an orange chocolate bar, as well as some orange Belgian chocolate cookies. Jolly. Good.

I am still looking for a day this week to visit London. There is a great deal on bus fares and the busses run about every 10 minutes, 24/7 from Oxford to London. It's only a matter of finding a day and I will be on my way to English mecca...

Love from the U.K.!

Jenny

PS: Mom, if you're reading this HAPPY MUM'S DAY. It's Mother's Day in England today! I heard about your Skype situation. Let me know when that gets fixed!