An Ode to Traveling

If you happen to be reading this (chiefly my Dad and possibly a chum), then you've realized I haven't been a regular blogger. Blogs are wonderful; they are tools to give advice and share our adventures. But I haven't been an adamant blogger, and so I'm going to sum up my winter travels in this post.

You've also most likely noticed that my posts are circuitous. I've come to think of these posts as a reminder that I'm doing something out of the norm--it's here to reassure myself and family members that I am abroad and that I am doing something fulfilling with my time. Now that I've established this, I'd like to share a quote with you.

“Foreign lands never yield their secrets to a traveller. The best they offer are tantalising snippets, just enough to inflame the imagination. The secrets they do reveal are your own - the ones you have kept from yourself. And this is reason enough to travel, to leave home.”  -Graeme Sparkes

Now this wise man's quote struck a chord with me. Because as much as traveling has inspired me to travel more, it also lead me to several conclusions about myself. Traveling taught me that I am a speck of the world, not in a harrowing way, but in a dense way. I am just one person among billions, but that is exactly why it's important I lead a life I find important. I want to pursue a life that will make me happy, and at the root of what matters in life is ultimately love, happiness, and purpose.

Like my friend Graeme says, leaving home reveals unknown truths about ourselves. Sometimes leaving our comfort zones encourages personal growth and also appreciation. Studying abroad and traveling have taught me the importance of family and adjustment. Overall, my perception of myself as a foreigner has mellowed. We sometimes cling to our identities because it is easy, but there is much more to the core of who we are than our nationality. And therefore it is essential that we do leave home, even if it be sparingly.

Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria, Spain, Ireland

I visited those eight countries. Each were amazing, each significantly different. I hesitate to use the word 'equally' because I cannot be the critic of countries I spent relatively little time in. But I'll tell you this, these countries are beautiful. And not just through terrain and architecture. These countries contain raw energy, they, like the United States and England, have human beings--human nature that sprawls. They contain grunge, and cleanliness. They contain brilliant gems and dull surfaces. They have the very brunt of humanity in their apexes. Because every place, regardless of its language and customs, is a part of this world. And the world we live in has both grime and grace, both loveliness and lividness. And those human emotions--anger, sadness, happiness, love--contribute to the beauty of life. Without them we would be nothing, but with them we are alive, we thrive.

Travel if you can. Travel is perspective.

Ireland

Here it is, a post about my adventures! It's ironic that I waited a whole month until returning to do so, and now I am only a month away from my next set of travels!

Ireland as a country is lovely. Although seemingly similar to the UK, the people and culture take on their own feel. In short, I found it charming and friendly. In Ireland, I visited Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Killarney. I was with my Mom for these travels, and we took a loose approach to where we would travel, deciding a few days ahead of time where we would venture next.

There were two parts of my trip that stuck as out as my favorites. The first was visiting Blarney Castle, which is close to Cork. I have a very fond childhood memory of playing Build-A-Bear games on the Internet, and one was a trip through Ireland. The little bear made its way up to the castle, and kissed the famous 'blarney stone', as legend say it gives the kisser the 'gift of gab', or eloquence of speech. The day we went to Blarney was windy and wet, so very appropriate for a 600 year old castle. The stairs up are slim and daunting, and I held tight to the ropes accompanying the climb. I will admit I was shaky at the top, fear creeping through my veins at the thought of slipping through the holes in the structure. I didn't kiss the stone--I know, anticlimactic, but I've heard that locals have peed on the stone, laughing at all the tourists who later kiss it. Now whether this is true or not, I don't believe I had the strength of courage to lay upside down and kiss the stone. I'll never know if I could speak more easily otherwise!

The second favorite memory was the Cliffs of Moher. We took a day-trip of the Burren region, outside of Galway. It was an extremely windy day, and my clothes were soaked several times by the rain. But again, it seemed romantic that the day was so stormy. The Cliffs are amazingly majestic, and one of the most beautiful sights I've seen in my life. However, the cliffs are marred by a somewhat sad notion. Tour groups constantly have to remind its members of the danger of the cliffs. From time to time, people lose their lives creeping over the edge. It's both a sad and curious way to die, but those who choose it must want to rest in peace somewhere ultimately beautiful. Yes, very morbid, but the Cliffs will always remain in my memory as extremely beautiful. Cool side note, the Cliffs of Moher were used in the Harry Potter series as the cave/ocean where Voldemort buries the Salazar Slytherin locket. You may remember that towards the end of The Half-Blood Prince Dumbledore and Harry go there to find said horcrux, and return with the fake locket. (Nerd moment over.)

While the other parts of Ireland were equally wonderful, I have a very soft spot for nature-centric travels. The bulk of my traveling this break was to cities, but what I always found most touching were the sights, the raw energy of the country's resources and land. But there's so much to be said for architecture and man-made beauty as well--however I'm not the astute tourist with the historical knowledge to recount those details.


I've enclosed pictures of the travels, and hope you find my pictures of Ireland as enchanting as I found the country!

The River Liffey in Dublin

The top of Blarney Castle

The Cliffs of Moher

Lambs are a popular animal in Ireland!

Train Rides!

Hilary Term

Indecision is one of my largest faults. It litters my days. Should I make toast, or yogurt? Do I want to start writing my essay now, or later? Etc. The point being that while I should post about my adventures abroad, I'll probably only do it in an opportune moment, when a fleeting emotion passes over me.

That being said, what is this post about? Hilary Term! In other words, the second term in the Oxford academic cycle, the winter term.

As we're now in third week (out of eight), the work has settled into a structured zone. I've met my tutors and developed a rhythm for my work schedule (if that's even possible). This term I'm studying 20th Century British Authors/Poets and the Bronte Sisters. It's always interesting to compare initial reactions and thoughts to later judgments. Initially I thought I would love 20th century authors, and then I realized how little I admire Modernism as a literary period, although I appreciate the knowledge gained. On the other hand, I've learned that I'm so tied to the Bronte Sisters it's hard to remove myself from the role of reader to the role of critical analyst. But the most satisfying part of the Oxford experience is looking back at my whole term and viewing how I've grown as a student and writer. What's even better is to realize how much insight into different literary periods, authors, and moments I've gained. Because what is so immensely important about English Literature is connections. Although it may seem simple, authors influence other authors. Ideas span centuries, and they morph into their new contexts. It's amazing to read Emily Bronte and then read Virginia Woolf's opinion of her as an author. To me, it is the simple connections that make the most profound differences. It is elementary, and easily overlooked.

I often find that I equate my emotional state and thoughts to the different authors. In a sense it can seem pig-headed, who am I to relate my commonplace problems with that of T.S. Eliot or Virginia Woolf? But as active authors and poets who sought to express their modern problems, isn't it a reverberation of feeling that I should do the same? I think you lose a part of yourself when you publish your greatest works. The privacy of your own talent and personal piece becomes public and mass judgment skews your intentions. The way the world views your piece is always unpredictable, and it's very possible there were many Virginia Woolfs too shy to share their literary mastery. And that makes me question--who was in the better position? The woman who wrote and kept it to herself all her life? Or the woman who wrote and became a phenomenon? Because although fame seems wonderful, isn't privacy so much more comfortable? Yet comfort and privacy are to each it's own--one may desire both, or neither.

So after that terribly inane literary squabble, I'm trying to intimate that Hilary term, like my other terms, is making me think, really think. That's what my entire Oxford experience thus far has provided for me. I evaluate my life situation more and more. Now you can say no one needs to evaluate their life at twenty this much, but it's also a highly personal place. Thinking and communicating are what we do constantly, day in and day out, and while it comes effortlessly, it is so much the grain of our being. So for me, I see it as development.

Hopefully my next post will be about going to different European nations, but the thing about it being my blog is you never know what will come next! I guess that's the positive side of indecision, spontaneity is at its best!

Long Time, No Text?

So I neglected the study abroad blog for a solid two months, but now that I'm back at Oxford and beginning classes again, I decided to post a new entry!

If you've been following my travels through social media or my family, you know I've been to a fair few places--8 countries and various cities. In order to do justice to my travels properly, I will post more on each country individually, but to give you a taste for where I went, here is a list:

1) Ireland--Dublin, Cork, Galway, Killarney
2) Spain--Madrid (for one night), Salamanca, El Manzano, Villabona/San Sebastian, Donostia (most of the surrounding Basque region)
3) Germany--Berlin and Munich
4) Czech Republic--Prague
5) Austria--Vienna and Salzburg
6) Switzerland--Zurich, Lucerne, and Geneva
7) France--Paris
8)Belgium--Brussels

I spent roughly a week in Ireland with my Mom, traveling from place to place. I then spent the Christmas holidays in Spain with a family friend. Finally, I spent 18 days on a very fast-paced and jam-packed tour of Central Europe.

My accommodations varied from hotels with my Mom to actual homes in Spain to various hostels in Europe. I tried all sorts of cultural dishes, heard several languages, and lived out of a suitcase for five and a half weeks. A lot of my friends from both the UK and home were a bit astonished at this, and I was haggardly exhausted by the end, but it is an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world. Now that I'm back in Oxford, slaving away over a paper on T.S. Eliot (probably my least favorite poet ever), I am nostalgic for the days of freedom and tiresome travels.

The biggest takeaway from my travels was realizing that you connect with people who don't speak the same primary language as you. I met all sorts of people in the hostels, people that I will most likely never see again. And while it's a strange notion to comprehend, the slight impact they made on my day changed the scope of those travels.

So here's a teaser for my later entries:

Zurich, Switzerland

Of my fast-paced travels, Switzerland was my favorite country. The scenery was unbelievably gorgeous!

Ode to Adjustment

Culture shock, alienation, a new landscape.

All of these things bring to mind what it's like to move to a new place. That new place may be in your home country, and it could even be just ten miles away from your old residence. Let's face it, life is a constant stream of adjustment. Everyone likes to assume an appearance of having it all figured out, of having the hang of their lives. But no matter who, and no matter where, it takes time to settle into new situations.

Most days I wake up and go through a ritual of making coffee, toast, and checking my e-mail. It's amusing because without realizing it, we inhabit a new way of life wherever we go, but with the same mannerisms we've always used. I don't think I truly realized how much Lady Margaret Hall is my home until this morning. I've been here almost seven weeks, sleeping in the same bed, using the same small kitchen day-in and day-out. But the really resonant moment was when I thought about skipping a lecture. (I did, I am a BA). I was speaking with a student from a different Oxford college over the weekend and he told me there are three sectors to Oxford life (and most universities honestly).

1) Academics
2) Social Life
3) Extracurriculars

He said you can only efficiently do two of these things with good time management. And I completely agree. If you want to get really excellent scores and maintain clubs and a social life, it's virtually impossible. I observe it with the students around me--the ones who are hard club-goers are falling behind in classes, and subsequently their health (the flu comes and goes around here like a madhouse). Those who are striving for 1sts (equivalent to an A+) and perfect essays, aren't making many new friends or attending activities. And the crux is, that no matter who you are, you cannot obtain all three sectors. Yes there are a few people who exceed what we think of as a sane schedule, but chances are they're not giving themselves enough downtime to reflect on their own lives.

So when all is said and done, I think I'm finally aware that England is my home, and it's not for a short period of time. There are glimpses when I am envious of the students who are only here for this term. They will be home with their families for Christmas, and back at their home schools by January. While it would be extremely easy to slip back into the American frame of mind, and have the security and safety of familiar faces and places, it is not necessarily what is best for me. I wouldn't want my Oxford experience to end after nine weeks here, that wouldn't be nearly enough time. And just because home is comfortable and less strenuous work doesn't mean I'd enjoy it more. Because there are so many adventures waiting, and so much living left here.

In two and a half weeks I will be traveling across Europe for a month and a half. This will be my first excursion from England since I arrived, and I'm about to experience so much more about the differences and similarities in human nature. I've been asked numerous times from British students what the biggest difference between England and the US is. But, in reality, we're all people, and we all have similar desires and needs. It's not about what's different between us that makes this experience singular, but how we're all much the same, and how anywhere you go, you can realize that.

Afternoon Tea

Yesterday my friend I and ventured into town for a special treat—afternoon tea! We first browsed Crowley Street, right outside the city centre, which is known for its shops. The area was a little dingy, but offered many second-hand/thrift shops, which are called "hospices". I scored a beige sweater for £4 so that was a win!

For tea we went to the Grand Cafe, located on The High (yes Oxford just like OSU has a major street called High Street!). It is known to be the oldest coffee house in England, which I found fascinating, as I am the world's biggest coffee fan. The tea tray we split included scones, finger sandwiches, and coffee/tea, which was a marvelous meal! It was my first experience trying the famous English clotted cream, and it was superb! (I know I'm ranting about food, but it was so good!) 

If you ever come to England for a visit, a high tea is a must. It might not sound like something up your alley, but it is delicious and worth the small fortune. (Plus if you split it with a friend it's very reasonable). Overall high tea was an absolute success and a treat I will try again!

High Tea Platter