Becoming an Oxfordite…
June gave me her student card today so that I can fake being an Oxford student for a day and go to all the places which normal tourists wouldn’t be allowed in due to the exam period. I however did not take that advantage at all…
Before I walked to the town, I stopped at the gorgeous University Green. Although I didn’t have much time in Oxford, I just couldn’t resist lying on the grass on a good day as the grass is incredibly inviting and I know so well that there wouldn’t be any chance to do so once I’m back to the forest of concrete. Then, I walked pass Kebel College and St Giles and reached George Street where I took a turn to Cornmarket Street and found a KFC. As much as this disgusted me now, I just couldn’t resist the temptation of after a year in a KFC-less country. (Seriously, this could be an example how health-conscious Swedes are in general)
After then, I embarked my very Oxford day: I first went to the Covered Market to find the legendary Moo-Moo’s milkshake. With the company of the super-yum White Chocolate Kinder Bueno milkshake, I wandered around the covered market, completely mesmerised by the cake shop where the bakers (or, artists) could built a Shedolian Theatre out of flour, butter, eggs and sugar.
I walked out of the Covered Market with a Ben’s Cookie which June claimed only to be found in Oxford (which by the way, I discovered a branch in Bath 3 days later) and took a turn to High Street where I found commoners and scholars walking out of Exam School. I also saw the legendary All Soul College which claimed by the Oxford Guide as “the equivalent of Mount Everest in academic’…
After admiring the academic side of Oxford, I walked to the Corner of St Giles and Beaufort Street to catch the bus to Bicester Village as recommended by June for outlet shopping. When I found out that the next bus is not in twenty minutes and the once-a-month farmer’s market is still opened just near by on Gloucester Green, I therefore took a detour and found myself a pair of new ear-rings and a bracelet for a real bargain.
Without knowing where to get off exactly to go to Bicester Village, I followed June’s direction to get off the bus at where the most people got off, only to find myself in the centre of Bicester. But thank god this is England, getting direction is easy as a cake, with the help of several pedestrians, I finally reached Bicester Village at 4 without too much drama.
In planning sense, Bicester Village is no different from a Nike town. Beore actually walking into the premises, you are greeted by a sea of cars parked in front of it. The environment inside is no doubt quite pleasant as June basically recommended it o me after I complained how Oxford Street is not “shoppable” at all. Of course, he down side of these Nike towns are always the lack of alternatives – you can only find global major brands here – Ted Baker Mulberry, DKNY, etc. Don’t expect meeting your friendly indie local store keeper here. It’s exclusive as hell. As if everyone can afford a car and spare buckets of money for a purse.
Before dragging my tired feet back to St Hugh’s after 3 hours battling in Bicester Village, I went to Tesco on June’s request to buy carrots for home made rice and curry, yum!