It's almost 10 pm and it's still light out. That is so bizarre. I am exhausted from jetlag and an early start to the day, but it's hard to go to sleep right now. We woke up this morning in time to go to breakfast at 8:30. We all were given the option to go to morning prayer, but I think most of us from WAC opted out in favor of more sleep. After breakfast, we had the first of four lectures. We had two in the morning, one on Muhammad and the other on the Qur'an. Between the two lectures, we went to see and meet the people who worked at the Oxford Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies. On the way there, a guy who is taking the course, Max, from Germany, started asking me about Quakerism. He knew nothing about it at all. My mind went blank so I stumbled my way through an explanation. I really should read up on Quakerism in case anyone else asks me.
After the lectures finally ended, we had this weird macaroni and cheese like casserole for lunch and some yogurt with honey and raisins (I discovered I really do not like plain yogurt.. too sour). After lunch, we walked to the new Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies to get a tour. Since it was under construction, they made us wear blue hard hats and attractive neon yellow vests. Ellen, Jim, and I were all wearing open toed shoes (I had no other choice really because I was wearing the same thing from the day before since the stupid airlines lost my bag... I'm not bitter or anything.. not at all..) so we had to wear construction boots. Only problem was that my feet were way too small so I had to wear boots that were a good two or three sizes too big for me. It would have been hard for the group to lose me as I was clomping around, making a huge racket. The centre was very gorgeous and will be even more so once construction is completed.
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| Playing fields from another Oxford college |
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| Can see famous Oxford places in the background. I am not sure what is what though. |
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| Walking back through town |
We finally got some free time. Although, Dr. Prud'homme really wanted us to come to an optional lecture at a different college on international politics and religion. I did not really wish to go as I have no interest in politics, but I thought about it since I felt obligated... Luckily, five minute before we were supposed to leave, my bag arrived!! I was so happy. I ended up walking to the grocery store, buying some snacks, and coming back to unpack and relax.
Dinner was at 7 pm and I ended up eating a dinner overloaded with tomatoes. Luckily the dessert was pretty good. Although I am not sure what it was. Some type of custard with sponge cake and cream? Then we had yet another lecture with a guest lecturer, Dr. John Chesworth. He talked about Islamic law and social order and the five pillars. We just got back from that lecture and I am really excited to go to bed.
Today was much much better then yesterday. I am starting to have fun, despite the lectures. People here are SO friendly. A man in my course asked me on the way over if I lost my bag. He said he had overheard something about that and then offered me the option of borrowing some of his wife's clothes since she is the same size as me. I thought that was so generous since he does not even know me. I didn't need to take him up on the offer though, but I still really appreciated it. Tomorrow is another day of lectures and we are going to a mosque. Maybe Ellen and I will have enough energy to check out the pubs tomorrow night, but we'll see! We do so much during the day that I am dead tired and the last thing I want to do is go out at night.
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| St Stephen's House |
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| Croquet set up right outside my room window! |
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