Day Three: A Rainy Day

Today dawned a perfectly stereotypical English day with a steady dreary drizzle that did not let up the entire day.

This morning's breakfast was an even more odd option of scrambled eggs and some kind of tomato substance. I went with cereal again.

We covered Blake in Brit Lit today. The man had a depressing, atheistic, socialist view of the world. I'm beginning to wonder if we will ever cover any non-atheist in depth. Between Blake and Pullman...
I remembered to bring my camera to Art class. The classroom we are in for that is much more what you would think of as an Oxford classroom, though the education system here doesn't quite need classrooms.
We were supposed to go on a walk today, but due to the weather, they just set us free. Therefore, some girls and I decided to fulfill a class requirement and experience a traditional lunch at a pub. We asked the porter for directions to the best one close by and were sent to "Far from the Madding Crowd." At first, we couldn't find it, but upon exploring an alley, there it was! We filed in and stood around stupidly, trying to figure out the procedure. Turns out, you order at the bar and they bring you your food. After much debate, I ordered bangers and mash. Try to order that without giggling a little inside. Just the goofy name makes you happy. The food was far from the bland experience I expected. I hauled out my camera, and trying to look suave about it and failing miserably, I took a picture of my plate. The interesting onion ring looking objects are Yorkshire pudding. An unfamiliar taste and texture like a soggy, unsweetened funnel cake, but it grows on you. I was pleased with my meal.

After lunch, we trooped to the Ashmolean Museum. Those Brits and their plundering, imperial ways have constructed a pretty impressive museum! Full of mummies, Egyptian artifacts, pieces of temples and amazing Grecian statues. I wandered about in there for probably two, three hours and still need to go back. And it's under renovation, aka, all the objects are not on display!! Also, beautifully, it is free.

The quick jaunt home -it's only a block! - and I did some computing. Having been inside all day and thinking the rain had let up a bit, I walked about the gardens, wielding my camera. The rain had never really stopped, but with gardens like this... And gates and tunnels and an over-abundance of enormous ducks. (All the birds are huge! The pigeons' bodies are the size of over-inflated footballs. Also, I saw a magpie!)
Of course, it began raining harder. I was about to sadly return to my room, when I was joined by Zach. Despite the heavier rain, I was happy to not have to retreat from Nature. Right before heading to the dining hall, we even managed to pop into the heavily ornamented chapel here.
They would be praying Compline that night, hence it was lit up. I didn't get a picture of the organ but I'm not sure if there is a church in England without a gorgeous organ.

A walk before dinner is lovely, especially if dinner was much better yesterday's. A tomato and mozzarella salad, followed by fish with potatoes and zucchini and finished off with chocolate cake. I haven't mentioned it, but they serve juice with dinner! Apple and orange juice just doesn't pair well with dinner to me, so I drink water, preferring to get my juice fix after my afternoon walk, since it isn't offered during breakfast!

After dinner, Zach, Susan and I went to the pub here on the grounds. Some actual Oxford scholars wandered in, looking out quait in their traditional academic gowns. I figured it would be an atrocious breach of etiquette to take their picture.
We hung out there for a bit until they decided to see the city and I finally retreated to do my readings for tomorrow.

Cheers!