The First Days

Oxford Diaries

To leave the one you love, knowing that you will not be able to see her for at least a week, actually unaware of how long you will be a part, is an ordeal far worse than can be imagined. It will not be more than two weeks, but uncertainty is devastating for the soul. I left in good spirit, the ring on my finger as a constant reminder of hope and return, but once airborne the distance to her voice was haunting. I wanted to talk to her, call her so badly it ached, but for the first time I was disallowed. I was in exile. Later, she reminded me that I had to enjoy Oxford, and I will, because otherwise, we would be apart for nothing. I must make the most of it. Here and now, I just wait to get my schedule so that I can book flights to go home over weekends.

I have arrived at British airports before, but this time acclimatization faced resistance. Yet, Heathrow is convenient. Bags arrive swiftly, and ironically, when I am supposed to stay in England for more than two weeks - four months all in all – I carry less weight than ever before. Thanks sis’ , for the bags, and although the one I used was close to bursting, it was “perfick”.
Going from Heathrow to Oxford is no biggie. It takes 90 minutes by bus though, but once through customs you turn left, take the ramp down towards Central Bus Station where you get on the Oxford Heathrow Express which departs every half hour. Buy a return ticket, it saves you £15. If lucky, you have time to grab a coffee and a blt in the waiting lounge, unless you have both prepared something to eat and actually brought it. Maybe it was indecisiveness that made me do only one of two.

Yesterday, Friday still in Sweden, was a fantastic day. Seeing the church in Sundborn, hearing wedding bells ringing in my head. And as we got back we were offered a flat. 89 squaremeters, three rooms and a kitchen. It is strange to think about that and at the same time trying to figure out what can be done to make a home out of 10 square meters furnished with standard issues. I am thinking decorative textiles, cushions, a lamp, an antique piece of some kind and photos. Any other suggestions?

The bus stopped just outside the University Campus, a fairly new one with Oxford measures built in the 60’s but with even newer and much older buildings as well.
When I had unpacked I went down town, or maybe up town. Oxford has local centers as well and tomorrow I will look in Oxford town centre for adaptor plugs for English plugs and an adaptor for the computer. Strange how these things have always been packed when not needed. I must also take a bunch of photos of myself. All in all they require sex of them, signed, for different purposes. The Oxford experience is the beginning of stardom, I guess. Except for the absentmindedness of the day, I bought a bike to get around, although Oxford students travel free on buses, a bike makes a place feel like home, getting around freely. Furthermore, carrots, cheddar, milk, tea and some other things.