Day 3: Saturday, October 1, 2016: London
We will have a bus transfer into Oxford today and have a full-day to explore. After time for lunch at the Eagle and Child pub, frequented by C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and other Inklings, we will head to the Magdalen Bridge Boat House for an afternoon on the river, including time for journaling. We will return to our hotel by Heathrow in the evening for dinner. (B/D)k here to edit.
Notes from the travelers:
We had a lovely day in Oxford and were able to do everything I had hoped. Some rain, but it cleared up in the afternoon for the time we needed for punting on the river. The day consisted of seeing the lamppost that inspired the Chronicles of Narnia, exploring the rare treasures display at the Bodleian library where we saw an original copy of the Magna Carta, touring Magdalen college where Lewis taught, walking along the river walk where he and Tolkien discussed Christianity, punting on the river and shopping at Blackwells bookstore. Two of my friends came along for the day and spent time hanging out with the students and showing them the sights (Eva works for Open Doors, so she was able to share about her work with Syrian refugees and the proposal they are shorting presenting to Parliament about helping the situation).
Notes from the travelers (Braeden):
This morning, we had a quick breakfast in our hotel before taking a forty five minute bus ride over to Oxford. There, we had the opportunity to explore the culture of England, seeing things like the sighing bridge and an authentic red telephone booth followed by lunch at the Eagle and Child restaurant. We had the chance to chat with two of Dr. Wilson's friends, talking about what it is like to live in the U.K. and what their professions are.
A couple hours later, regardless of the rainy weather, we had the chance to go punting, making our way down the small rivers leading down to the River Thames for an hour. Several of us had, possibly once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity of actually punting with the large metal poles. Each punter had his or her fair share of fails, be it nearly plummeting into the green-colored, duck-filled streams or getting the pole stuck in a couple of trees. After finishing an hour on the water, we visited Magdalen College campus, observing the architecture and many deers representing the number of professors teaching at the university, later walking down to the River Terrace Restaurant on campus to have a journal entry time.
All in all, this was an amazing time in Oxford. We concluded the day by visiting a couple of book-stores, Blackwell and Co., and walking through touristy British shops lined up and down the densely populated streets. This experience today just gave us the opportunity to reflect on our lives not only as Christians but also as humans upon this earth. It gave us the time to realize that we, as Americans, are not the only culture out there in the world. We are just one tiny fraction of the population and of history. Every building here, left and right, has a story, every stone and brick laid on the ground has a history. Americans, though have an impact on history, do not make up history. This chance gave us the time and insight to realize that.