This morning I had the privilege of being given a personal tour of Christ Church College and Cathedral. We need fifteen hours of service throughout this semester and volunteering to help guide visitors there was one of the options we were given. When they told me it could possibly involve learning and explaining the history of stained glass windows I was in! Long short short I emailed right away and today I met a nice 60ish year old man who works as a guide at the cathedral and he showed me around. IT TOOK THREE HOURS because he told me EVERYTHING and it was INCREDIBLE! I learned so much just in one morning and ...... I got the job! I get to go volunteer in one of the most beautiful, oldest cathedrals in England for two hours every Monday and eat lunch in the great hall that Warner Brothers used as their replica for the Great Hall in Harry Potter. I will walk up the steps to the great hall that are filmed in the movie every Monday!
My guide, David, kept emphasizing the fact that Harry Potter is a fictional character. However, he strongly emphasized the fact that Alice in Wonderland and every character in the story is based on a real person or a combination of places and situations in the history of Christ College. I had no idea. I have never had such an appreciation for the story of Alice like what I have gained today. I frequently thought back to the Alice in Wonderland birthday Kendall had and all the characters we saw. So cool! Kendall and Debbie, I have sooo much information to tell you! I wasn't able to take pictures today but I will get to take some next week I hope :) And I can give you a virtual tour and tell you all that I have learned about Alice and her real life! Peter Pan is based on a real person as well! Who knew?!
Looking back on this, I realize I am quite a nerd but it is so worth it! Stained glass window pictures will be coming soon and perhaps even the elaborate stories that go with them! The oldest window in England is there from 1322! At the end of the tour he said (in his British accent of course): "You have taken such a fancy to all the history and stories that I think you should start straightaway!" (Really I think they are just letting me help out there because I will be the only guide under 60. I'm excited!
We have been missing Mexican food lately so tonight our room cooked a lovely enchilada spread for our group and it was excellent! And Kirsten and Katie made homemade guacamole and salsa!
Paris in a few days!! I can hardly believe I am walking around the streets of Oxford every day, much less going to Paris soon. I feel so blessed.
Mom and Dad- I am sorry that Skype is not seeming to work for us last night and today. I hope we can figure it out in the next couple days but keep checking your email and we will figure it out! Love you!
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