Inside Oxford

We really lucked out with having Dan there to show us around the city and schools of Oxford. He is currently studying engineering but was at NC State for undergrad where Katlin knows him from. We were able to do all the things that our travel book said was "must see" but all for free and with a insider guide . Because Dan is a current student, he got us in to all of different colleges for free (it's normally about 3 pounds to walk around the grounds). Some of them are actually even closed to the public, but not for us! All of the buildings are old and majestic and grand. Most are about 150 or 200 years old but the city seems to have a great attitude about restoring and reconstructing them if anything fails instead of knocking them down, which makes sense since they are really works of art.  It also gives the campus an added fold of personality: the buildings are there as living entities, not just places to be lived in. They change but always maintain a high level of regal-ness. They change only out of ness city though...they aren't just painted to keep vogue.  It was almost humorous to see modern essentials like locks on the intricately carved wooden doors that have cast iron turn handles or electric lamps where a candle holder once was.   

 The usability of the campus astounding though. Things that i felt like should be roped off as monuments were used everyday. I wonder if the students appreciate where they are or if they have become so used to the beauty that it doesn't register anymore. Like how Dan walked right into Keble's chapel, which was built in 1878, and walked up to the light switch to turn it on as if he was walking into his own living room. The inside of the chapel was just awe inspiring. The three story open ceilings, the marble support columns, stained glass windows on all sides. It's the every day kind of majesty that we don't have in America. I hardly ever feel that living history, the connection to the past. It's the norm here. Oh, the Bodleian library was my favorite building though, especially the Camera building. Google it and be amazed. Try to imagine studying in that library. It gives me goosebumps to just think about it. 

Underneath all the layers of dirt on the buildings, I believe, is the spirit of perseverance. The ability of the people to adapt and appreciation for what they have. No one complains that there is no elevator.  People may stumble on the cobblestone but they do not repave over them. Parking lots are oddly configured and streets and too narrows, but students just walk everywhere. I'm sure the floorboards creak and aren't energy star rated for insulation but they just light a fire instead, since there is a working fireplace in almost every common room.  I hope everyone there appreciates what they are surrounded by. But I suppose it's also better to have do much beauty that you don't register it all the time than to not have it at all.