July 26, 2011
Today and yesterday were both chock full. Yesterday, Jennifer and I walked around Oxford for 6 hours. My feet were killing me but it was a glorious day. I think Oxford is the most beautiful city I’ve ever visited. The gardens are breath taking and the streets and buildings are so fascinatingly textured. We shopped in the morning (including going to Blackwell’s Book store, which I could have stayed in all day.) We also sat outside on the street (with cars blockaded) and drank tea and listened to a wonderful street musician who played mostly Eric Clapton and The Beatles. (I knew all the songs, thanks to Tucker. :-) We also went to Boots Pharmacy, which is famous over here. It is a cross-between Sephora and a fancy drug store.
In the afternoon, we took a walking tour of Oxford, which included touring four colleges. My favorite was Magdalen College where C.S. Lewis taught. The grounds were exquisite. We walked along Addison’s Walk (where he was converted.) I want to go back on Friday and walk the whole 3 miles. It is the most beautiful trail I’ve ever experienced. There are no words and pictures will fail. (Although, I did take a million pictures. But, I forgot my computer cable so I will have to wait until I get home to transfer them to my computer.)
Last night was the opening session of the conference. It was very High Church. Lots of liturgy and repetitive standing and sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Today was the first full day. The first speaker was Os Guinness. I have NEVER heard a more brilliant man. Oh my goodness. He will be a legend (more than he is already.)
Jennifer and I skipped out on the second session (it sounded too pedantic) for more shopping! We went to a covered market and then to a really cool store called, “Lush.”
We both enjoyed our afternoon sessions. Hers was at The Kilns where C.S. Lewis lived) and was called, “Remembering Lewis.” There will be speakers who actually knew “Jack” who will come and share personal stories. She is in Heaven. Mine was called, “Unveiling Ungit” and it is a discourse on his book, “Till We Have Faces.” The teacher is very impressed with himself and super confident (to put it lightly) but that is also what makes him a very interesting speaker. It feels like I am learning a foreign language but it is also opening up a whole new world. I am also in Heaven.
Tonight was incredible. It was a “Reader’s Theater” version of the off-broadway play, “Freud’s Last Session.” It is an imaginary meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. I learned so much about both of them and was captivated. I LOVED it!!!!
To view photos from this trip, visit my Facebook Page.
Posted by weblion at 06:31 PM
