Thursday I visited the city of Bath. Ironically enough we experienced some light showers. Fortunately enough I was indoors while it was raining. The day went by quickly enough as far as field trips are concerned. I’ve always enjoyed studying the ancient Romans and am fascinated by this social, recreational, spiritual ritual of visiting the public baths. Having associated ancient Roman culture with, well, Rome I didn’t realize how much Roman Britain shared in its practices or how greatly the influence permeated. My time in Bath began with an audio-tour through the Roman Baths. I saw lots and lots of ruins and remains and stones and stone facades. There were mosaics, columns, pools, springs, and all sorts of artifacts. Realizing that I was standing in the middle of a bath house, that I was walking up and down temple steps and on Roman stones and tiles was quite an experience. It was intriguing to learn about the rituals of bathing. One thing that made Bath so special was its natural hot spring, the association made with the goddess Minerva and the alleged healing powers of the springs.
Bath has always been, and remains, a consumerist city. The town exists for the purpose of shopping, going to spas and showing off wealth. For a number of reasons it isn’t my city of choice. Jane Austen didn’t actually care for it either. The architecture we saw during our tour of the city, however, was remarkable. I learned about windows and flats and facades and stone and all that. I also took some fun pictures. I’ll try to put them up eventually.
After wandering out of the Roman Baths and before beholding a most beautiful Abbey I was on my own trapsing about the city. Once I tired of gazing into shop windows at all the things I can’t afford I decided I needed coffee. This is where it got interesting. Let me try to recap for you the conversation that transpired between the barista and myself during a short visit to Café Nero.
“What do you want?’
“Um, do you have coffee? Like just a cup of regular coffee?”
“Americano?”
“Um, yes, I guess so. Yeah, I’ll have a regular Americano. Um, to go.”
“To take away? Ok.”
“You want white or black?”
“Um…”
“With milk?”
“Oh, yes. With milk.”
“Ok. Just one?”
“Yeah, that’s all.”
“Ok. 1 pound 50.”
Then I proceed to wander about the store wanting to sit down, but knowing I shouldn’t since I didn’t spend the extra 40p needed in order “to stay.” So I tried to savor my coffee while walking about Bath. I was sort of successful.
The bus ride back did strange things to my stomach, (I chose to sit in the very back of the upper level) but the conversation with my roommates was pretty good. My time in Oxford is already ¼ of the way over and I feel there is still so much I want to experience. It is as though I came to England in order be stretched, to grow, to change, and none of this has taken place. Time is ticking. What will happen with all that time I don’t know. I’m sure I will have many more hours of bus rides to ponder all of this.
On Thursday night two girls from my house and I went to Discuss, a Bible study at St. Andrew’s for people in their 20s and 30s. We were excited, but a little nervous. I always forget how awkward it is to be the “visitor” at a church where you don’t know the people, the building or the way things work. We were greeted eventually by a few members and enjoyed a meal of garlic bread, salad and some cheesy pasta with ham in it, all of which was inevitably followed by cakes and tea. I enjoyed listening to the people at my table speak in their lovely British accents. Oddly enough they spoke of us “losing our American accents” as though there were something there to lose. If only I could pick up a more refined manner of speaking. Since you’re all curious – yes, there are single men in Discuss. One of the guys at my table is actually from New Zealand ☺ Unfortunately many of the members are already married. Guess we’ll just be going for some great discussion of Exodus.
The sinks in my house have two spigots – scalding hot and freezing cold. The need to find a happy medium between the two reminds me of the need I feel for balance in how I spend my time. Though I feel compelled to spend time with people, going to pubs, having conversations, drinking tea and going out, I also desire to spend time on my own, writing this blog, reading, journaling and thinking about all that I’m experiencing. Keeping in touch with people in the States in no small task either. It all takes time, which there never seems to be enough of. By the time I find a good rhythm my term at Oxford will probably be over, but I suppose that’s part of the learning experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish Laura Beth Vander Ploeg a very happy, albeit belated, 21st birthday. Wow, a golden birthday too! If I were in Orange City I would not have spent Friday doing homework. My own birthday is coming up Monday and I am looking forward to it. Though turning 21 in England isn’t a big deal (I had half a pint of Hoegaarden at the Eagle and Child last night) I’ve decided to make a celebration of it by going to London with my roommates. We’re hoping to find someplace fun for dinner and take in a show before returning to Oxford. Just thought I’d record that now, since it might be a while before I get around to blogging again.
Cheers!
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