Not that it hasn't inspired me to write, a lot. It has. But most of what I've written is so stream-of-consciousness that I don't know if it would be coherent for anyone else to read.
I've done a lot while staying in Oxford. I visited Dublin and Scotland. Duart Castle was amazing. I met the MacLean clan chief! We only spoke briefly and I didn't actually get to introduce myself because he got a phone call. But I did tell him I was from Texas. "Texas?" he said, "You know Texans and Scots have something in common. They both value their independence."
"That is very true," I answered.
Duart Castle
I stayed in Oxford for the second two weekends. Traveling is amazing, but exhausting at the same time. I needed to rest, and sort of establish my roots in the locality of the area. It ended up being a very good choice.
I took a C.S. Lewis tour and got to see the woods that allegedly inspired his concept of Narnia. I definitely got a little misty eyed walking through them. That imagined world shaped my mind and childhood so much.
Woods at the Kilns property, or "Narnia Woods"
I also got to sit in his writing room - which was, wow. Unspeakable. Not just because I felt like his ghost might have at any moment popped out of the walls, but because normally the house isn't open to visitors. The guy who does the tour is actually banned from the house (ha ha - long story I won't tell here). But his one friend in the C.S. Lewis Foundation (who owns the house) happened to be there the day he drove me up to the property (to take photos of the outside), and he let us go in. He kept telling me I was a good luck charm. "No," I explained, "I am just Second-Most Blessed." He made me rub his hand so he could get my good fortunes :)
At the Eagle and Child pub, where the Inklings used to get together
His writing desk
The plays and field trips have been excellent. I wish I could say more about them but, then this post would be long and boring. I'll just say I've been inspired to be creative again (again). Maybe sometime in the near future I can get into doing some community theatre. Something.
The trip has been a good balance of academia and fun. Well, no - it's been more on the fun scale than academic (but don't tell any of my professors that). It's just so nice to not be sitting in a classroom in Austin day after day. I barely notice I'm doing schoolwork at all.
In a couple of days I am going to a place I've dreamed of visiting since I was at least 12. MOROCCO!
My dad and sister and I used to listen to this radio drama, Moon Over Morocco. All the background sounds were recorded on location and the events that take place are very true and accurate to Moroccan culture. I can't really even imagine how cool it is going to be to immerse myself in the setting of that enchantingly mystical story - man! I am excited. (I just need to be careful no one puts any cobras around my neck....)
It's pretty touristy, so I'm staying in a hostel. I called my hostel tonight to confirm my reservation and apparently no one speaks English - but they know Spanish! So hopefully I am set. I also have a guided tour of some form set up for every day. I don't know what I would do or how I would get around if it weren't for that.
When I get back, I'm going to be in Austin for about 10 days or so. I'm going to see Natalie Merchant in concert, take a Math test (yaaaay), THEN...say goodbye to everyone in Austin and...leave Texas. Permanently.
Holy FRIGGIN MOLY!
Wow.
Where am I headed? West. The Northwest, to be exact. Washington. Puget Sound area - somewhere. I can't be more exact than that, yet.
Then I continue my world traveling with a 5-week long trip to Australia! Holy cow! Is this really my life I'm living?
I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with family that I haven't been in contact with very much for several years.
I feel like going back to the place I was born is God helping me set my roots and shape my identity and form my overall concept of myself in brand new ways. Or, old ways. I don't know how to be very eloquent or clear in my explanation of it now. I just know that I've had a hard year and am ready to start a completely new season and discover myself more. I don't know where I'm going to live or what kind of job I'm going to get or what I want to do with my life. But I'll find out when I get there! My secret dream of living in the woods that I used to laugh about is...actually coming true (sort of). I couldn't be more surprised.
Such an adventure.
Ok, Goodnight. I'm going to read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (book 2...oh how I love that series).
2 comments:
I can't believe you didn't get to tell him your last name! :) hee hee And super sweet about the CS tour!
Well, he knew that I was a MacLean because he was ushered over to me to meet me by the lady who runs the gift shop (who I think is also a MacLean). But he couldn't stay to chat for very long because of the phone call.
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