July 2nd - Open Day

Welcome back!

Today was another class day so I woke up early and ate some breakfast. I ate pain aux raisins, chocolate yogurt, and a peach.

My first stop was technical communications, where we continued talking about how to write for different audiences. Thankfully, it was a lot cooler outside today, so the room wasn’t nearly as stuffy.

After class, I took advantage of the university open day and explored more colleges. 

First, I went to Balliol College.

 

Then, I visited Trinity College.

 Then, Oriel College.

 

The real highlight of the day was visiting Christ Church College. The place is enormous, and it felt a bit surreal walking up the Bodley Staircase, which was featured in the Harry Potter films. I also got to sit in the dining hall that inspired the one at Hogwarts, enjoying some biscuits and lemonade. Wandering through the cloisters (also used in the movies) was another cool moment.

Inside Christ Church’s famous cathedral, I found what’s probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stepped into.

  

Sitting at the table

Hogwarts (Christ Church) dining hall

Harry Potter staircase. Will I be sorted into my house?

Another view of the staircase

Christ Church cathedral

Another view of the cathedral

Christ Church courtyard

Library

Cool looking white building

The cloisters where Harry Potter looked at the Quidditch trophy case

After that, I visited Pembroke College.

Finally, I visited Lincoln College. 

I worked up an appetite so for lunch I headed to Oxford's famous Covered Market (est. 1774) to look for something to eat. This market is massive and has pretty much anything you can think of. I ended up getting a sun dried tomato chicken panini with basil and melted mozzarella. It was very tasty and the mozzarella was stretchy! I will definitely be back to see what other food they have (and maybe take pictures).

Once lunch was finished, I went to my world religions class. Today's topic was 20 atheist arguments versus 20 theist arguments. I think my professor noticed some people nodding off since he said, "I've never stayed awake for a 2pm class in my life. The fact that you're trying is wonderful."

Later, I spent some time reading up on Hinduism before heading to dinner. Tonight’s meal was beef salpicao with rice, mixed vegetables, noodles, and chocolate cake topped with strawberries and cream. Lovely!

Once dinner was over, I talked with some people in my program for a while, enjoying the evening breeze. Then I went back to my room to finish the chapter on Hinduism.

And just like that, another day complete!