Shania does Opium

[miz_anneliese]

Weirdest thing I've heard so far : Shania Twain at The Opium Den Chinese restaurant, in Oxford, England.

I'm a very boring person. I am no Grand Adventurer, and I have to say, I haven't left Oxford since I got here.
A piece of me feels ashamed of that, especially since every person I know has given me the "You HAVE to see London!!" lecture. And I appreciate the sentiment, I really do. I should, I mean, I'm here, and it's only an hour and a half away. But at the same time, this is the first time I've ever really been away from home... alone... in such a manner that it takes me a LOT longer than an hour to get back, and I can't do it in a car. I'm more concerned with being comfortable and enjoying the little pleasures.

And you know? I am. I've wandered all over Oxford, and even days where I've worked 11 hours, I still find small joys. The moon and stars here are beautiful, and I didn't even realize until today that the reason the stars are easier to see here in spite of the streetlights, is because there's no city glow. I really like that. It's kind of a hike home, and it's damn chilly sometimes at night, but when I look up and see the moon shining so brightly, and the familiar pattern of the big dipper, I walk the whole way with a small smile on my face.
I've given money to a great bagpipe player playing on the sidewalk; I've seen a movie and putzed around in an internet cafe; I've walked all over town in the most beautiful blustery storm-queen wind and spent 20 minutes combing my hair out; I've walked with my face raised to the sun in a perfect springtime day; I took picture after picture of Oxford architecture; I was lucky enough to be outside a building with a chorus inside singing pieces from Brahm, and the choir was indescribably lovely; I've discovered Stella; I haven't eaten at the same restaurant twice, and there's something to be said for having a delicious glass of wine mid-afternoon; and I've found the most fantastic museum I think I've ever been in.

I will still check out train schedules and see if I can get to Bath or Stratford-Upon-Avon. But I will leave London for another time. I'm 27; it's not like I can't come back. :)

Comments

Gorgeous!

[(Anonymous)]

I remember feeling terribly homesick on the night train from Prague to Amsterdam, and stretching out on the seat and staring up at the sky, and having it be the most comforting thing, that wherever you go, the sky is the same. And, yeah, I went all over, but I didn't have to work, and I booked ahead of time in every city except Prague. And to be honest, I spent most of my time just walking around, looking at museums and architecture, shops, and people. That's most of what vacationing is, actually, just watching life go by in someplace new.


Yes, yes, if I went to Australia, that whole same-sky thing wouldn't apply, but fromt here I'd say "the moon" instead of "the sky"...

[(Anonymous)]

You know, a lot of people go on vacation and are so busy filling up all their times with events that they don't actually get to experience anything real about the location and come back more tired than when they left. By all means spend as much time as you can getting to know and enjoying the place you are at! :) - Brooke

[miz-anneliese.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I needed to hear that :) And you're right. I like knowing 1 place intimately better than knowing many places briefly.

And tomorrow, I have booked a seat on a bus to go to Stratford-Upon-Avon, to spend far too much money to see where Shakespear was allegedly born, and other fun things. :)