June 13, Day 22

Today was an open day, so I had a relaxing normal breakfast, then spent all morning allowing everyone else to decide what they wanted to do. While they were doing so, I traded rooms! I officially am in the only non-snoring room where my roommate and myself are the only girls on the entire trip who don't snore. Finally, I'll have a nice sleep-filled night.
Everyone was deciding between going to Stonehenge and Oxford, or both, and eventually decided on Oxford- which made me excited because that meant I could tag along. Also, I knew that Oxford meant HOGWARTS!

We took a train to Oxford, then took a fun double decker tour bus to wherever we wanted. The top level didn't have a roof, and I took a 6 minute or something long video of just driving around from up there... I probably won't get that up until I get back home (sorry). Anyways, the only stop I really cared about was Christ's Church, which is where the Great Hall from the Harry Potter films exists. I've already uploaded some photos from that on facebook. That was a pretty fun experience being in the Great Hall and everything. I will say though, it did feel considerably smaller than tey make it seem in the films. That could just be the fact that in the films there are four large tables with benches for the four houses of Hogwarts, and the normal set up church dining hall consists of six or so large tables with a billion chairs and lamps and sets of silverware and what not. Plus, there was a huge line of people circulating through the room, so I'm sure that added to the tininess. Hah. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful church, and really awesome to be in the room that they've filmed Harry Potter. Hah. After touring the church, we walked a bit down the street and hit up a shop that Alice Lidell, Lewis Carroll's obsession, and inspiration for his infamous story Alice in Wonderland, would often visit as a girl to get sweets and candy and whatever else. The store has since then been converted into an Alice in Wonderland little shop with classic souvenirs for sale. I bought a little teacup and saucer, and I'm praying that I can get it back to the states in one piece. We rode the bus a bit longer after that, just around, then we stopped at a little downtown / shop-infested Oxford area and did some shopping. I sat at an outside cafe and enjoyed some traditional english tea and waited for everyone else to get done with shopping before we headed back. I really wish tehre were more cafes back home. That's something I'm going to really miss. I love just sitting outside with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoying myself; everyone loves doing that here, and I feel that we don't have places like that back in the US because people are so concerned about time and money and what not. Things are just so much more nonchalant and relaxed here in Europe, and I could really get used to it. Though, don't get me wrong, I do love my fair share of fast paced lifestyles- I mean, I do work at a coffee shop. Ha.

Our train back was incredibly crowded- more people got on it than seats available. Thankfully I sat in the first open seat I saw and didn't have to stand in the aisles like many on the hour and a half ride back to London. Once we got back to South Kensington, I went with two others to enjoy some fine London dining for the first time on the trip. I had a steak. It took forever to get out food, so you know it must have been a good steakhouse. It was delicious, and I miss good steaks and mashed potatoes. After we got back to the room I hung out and played the waiting game for the internet. I chilled and had 4 cups of tea and what not. (I don't understand how people can skype for more than half an hour. I run out of things to talk about, and honestly get tired of it after awhile. Kind of like the way I feel when talking on the phone.) Eventually I got a computer, and was able to at least skype Zach for a bit (my family was busy with church things, so I guess they're excused). After ten minutes not either of us had much to say. Hah. Typical really. I was excited to go to bed having a new clean room and a new quiet sleeping roommate. No more community room!