Ox-ferd...

Cambridge and Oxford are like bickering twin sisters. They are virtually identical in every way. Born at almost the same time, one has turned out slightly larger than the other; but, the basic personality and characteristics are incredibly similar. For whatever reason, they have grown up as rivals, despite their common ground. One is more right-brained and scientific, producing discoveries that lead to Nobel Prizes. The other is more artsy and social, with aspirations involving politics and literature. After meeting both, I am happy to have befriended Cambridge. She has been good to us, and I would choose her over her sister any day.

All that aside, our tour of Oxford was a series of déjà vu moments. For the most part, the colleges have the same names, the shops have the same names, the overall ambiance is the same. Oxford feels slightly more cosmopolitan due to its wider streets and higher level of hustle and bustle, but that was the extent of the differences. Tour guide Matt liked to make fun of the way us Americans pronounced "Oxford." I guess it comes out "Ox-ferd." He informed us that the English use a more gutteral "-furt" sound. Whatever. I'm American - deal with it. And while we are on the subject of names, the city has a logical name just like Cambridge does. Cambridge = Bridge over the river Cam. Oxford = Ford (lowest point of a river bed) where the herds of Oxen can cross over. Creative, huh? So, without further adieu, here was our experience in a nutshell:

Took a brief browse through the Ashmolean Museum (the Oxford equivalent of the Fitzwilliam Museum.) The huge (free admission) galleries contain headlining exhibitions like Manet and Stradivarius violins. Don't tell anyone, but this museum beats the Fitzwilliam. Oxford: 1 vs. Cambridge: 0. Sshhh...

Wall o' heads. Kind of took me aback. I felt like they were all watching me walk up the stairs and waiting for me to trip.

Our guided tour began at the Martyr Memorial. It was dedicated to the Protestants that Queen Mary Tudor burned at the stake in Oxford. It's shocking to me that Catholics and Protestants could ever be pitted against each other. Same God, people.

"X" marks the spot where the Protestants were burned. And thus, you have the origin of the name for the "Bloody Mary" cocktail.

A prankster artist named Gormley likes to plop his sculptures in random places. This statue of a man has popped up in numerous locations, including the roof of this building.

Another street artist was a little more subtle with his or her work.

The impressive Bodleian Library, home to nearly 7 million books and 1 million maps situated on 105 miles of shelving! This is a copyright library (like the one in Cambridge), and they have already built an additional warehouse outside of town to start filling with their abundance of printed materials. That extra warehouse is projected to run out of room in 2030. Perhaps even more impressive is...

...this door of the Bodliean, which is featured in the first two Harry Potter films. Oxford: 2 vs. Cambridge: 0. But don't lose hope just yet!

The other doors in the inner quadrangle of the "Bod" are still labeled as they were back in medieval times. Each one led to a different area of study, whether it be philosophy, Hebrew and Greek, mathematics, etc. This one was particularly special to hubby as it was the "Study of Life Medicine" entrance. (PS - Did you know that the Brits abbreviate mathematics as "maths" instead of "math." When I hear the word spoken, I always think the person has a lisp.)

Outside of Christ Church College we had to pause for a photo op. I mistakenly thought that this was C.S. Lewis' stomping grounds. However, he studied at University College and taught at Magdalen College. Fail. But at least I walked the same streets as he once did. On the up side, inside Christ Church is the Harry Potter Hogwarts dining hall and one of the Hogwarts staircases.

The middle window on the top floor was the study of J.R.R. Tolkein, the writer of The Lord of the Rings saga and good friend to C.S. Lewis. He was a fellow of Pembroke College, which is the sister college to Queen's in Cambridge. On the day we were visiting Oxford, our friend Chad was doing an exchange at Pembroke College because he is a member of Queen's. I know, it's confusing.

Doors are my new lamp posts.

Well hello, Mr. Photogenic. Get your blue steel face on! (I'm sure he'll love me for that one.)

I would absolutely cuddle up with a good book in this place, the university reading room. Students check out their books at the Bod and then take them down a short path to read them here. No wonder Oxford produces renowned writers and students of literature. Who wouldn't want to utilize this building?

This is one of the routes from the reading room back to the library. Not really too significant historically, but I thought it was pretty.

The Bridge of Sighs. Cool, but clearly not as breathtaking as the one that spans the river at St. John's in Cambridge. We're catching up! Oxford: 2 vs. Cambridge: 1. Oh, and this one spans a street instead of a scenic canal. So, I believe that Cambridge deserves another point. Oxford: 2 vs. Cambridge: 2. It's anyone's game!

The Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is where Oxford students receive their degrees. Sorry, but once again, home sweet home wins in this category. Creepy, disproportionate heads guarding a pseudo-octagonal building can't hold a candle to the symmetrical glory of The Senate House. Oxford: 2 vs. Cambridge: 3. Finally pulling ahead, but will we maintain the victory???

Matthew and I attempted to implement our tried and true method of strutting into a college looking like we own the place in order to avoid the tourist fee. Well, we made it a decent distance into the courtyard before this ultra pleasant female porter (yes, that's a woman) yelled at us and kicked us out. At least we tried. That cranky lady subtracted a point from Oxford in my book. And I believe that leaves us at Oxford: 1 vs. Cambridge: 3. Game over!!! Cambridge wins!

And we ended our day with a masterfully painted sky. Not too shabby.

Whether or not you agree with my bogus scoring system, I stand by my preference for Cambridge over Oxford. That's not to say that if Matthew went to Oxford I wouldn't claim the opposite, but nevertheless... I'm glad we got to visit rival turf and learn more about the connections between the two universities. It was a day well spent as far as I'm concerned.

Tonight, Matthew and I are accompanying Chad to formal dinner at Queen's College. Last night, Chad went to Homerton College's formal, and it was Harry Potter themed. And by themed, I mean that they hired live owl handlers to be stationed around the dining hall while the Hedwig impersonators flew around. I want to know why we weren't invited to that one! Just kidding. But, sounds exciting doesn't it? I'm looking forward to catching up with Chad, and I'll take any excuse to dress up and go out to eat.

Well, happy March everyone! Can't believe February is gone already, and with it, the winter weather. Today was a sunny and mild day in jolly ol' England, and I hope it was bright where you live. I'm crossing my fingers that the warming trend continues. Cheers!