Oxford, England: Pick Up Your Oxford Blues... and Alice Trinkets

Oxford, England. Home to more esteemed British academia.

Visiting Oxford in October 2008 was quite the trip. Literally. I had injured myself in Montpellier only a few days before leaving so I was obliged to awkwardly hobble about towns during my UK getaway.

I managed to snap a pathetic amount of photos due to the pain I was in. The one below is of an Oxford Blues shop. One of many stores in which visitors and students alike could purchase their very own Oxford blues. I, of course, couldn't leave this town with such a rich academic history without at least picking up a classic Oxford University tee-shirt.

Alice shop and Oxford Blues shop in Oxford, England.

Can't leave Oxford without an official University of Oxford tee shirt.

Alice in Wonderland fans may also be familiar with Oxford. The author, Lewis Carroll, was inspired by many aspects of the university, which he attended, and incorporated these aspects in his stories. A rowboat trip beginning at Folly Bridge served as the inspiration for the tale of Alice, a girl who created her own adventure.

So, as an homage (?) to Carroll and his wildly popular tales of Alice, her mementos can also be purchased about town.

Esteemed academia: Wandering Cambridge

During my travels, my inner nerd rejoiced when visiting esteemed academic institutions University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England; University of Oxford in Oxford, England and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Stop One was Cambridge, the second-oldest university in the UK and the English-speaking world. While walking along the city's cobblestone streets, I made a bee-line for the Cambridge University Press shop. Just because I wanted to be in a sea of Cambridge press. England, books, reading, knowledge, information. Ahhh, glorious.

Below is one (of a few) of my favorite photos from Cambridge. This is Great St. Mary's University Church. I think this photo definitely embodies a part of the personality of the city: Cobblestone streets, rain (off and on), bikes chained to a rail (used for travel to and from academic activities?), an aged church, and most importantly, knowledge sharing.

Great St. Mary's University Church in Cambridge, England.

I hope I left Cambridge a bit more learned than when I first stepped foot on the grounds. 

Cheerio!

Brighton Beach (Memoirs). England

My October 31, 2008 aka Halloween, was spent wandering around Brighton, England. Here's a shot from Brighton beach on this comfortable October evening. Care to cozy up and read a copy of Brighton Beach Memoirs while you're at it?