Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Corner view: Cityscapes in Oxford, UK

Welcome to Oxford, a charming city where you can escape opening any door. It will almost always lead you to a beautiful place.


Where you can escape and hide in beautiful buildings full of books.


Where you can escape by sitting near the river, or better still, getting in one of those boats and enjoying the peace of a different Oxford.


I moved to Oxford from Spain seven years ago and, in that time, I've seen many sides of it. The cold, rainy city where everyone speaks a language I don't understand. The sunny place that welcomes foreigners and makes them feel at home. The town that speaks multiple languages and it's still so undeniably British. The city centre where locals, University students, English language students and tourists walk side by side (annoying each other). The neighborhoods, so different, each a small universe, I've lived in over the years (I've moved a lot!). A city that can be so infuriatingly small but amazingly lively.

The city that I now call home, for here I've grown and learnt about myself more than anywhere else, and here I've fallen in and out (and in again) love. A place I keep coming back to, everytime.

More cityscapes around the world:

caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t.,jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, dongdong, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, jenna, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, rebecca, b, sunnymama, kyndale, samantha, karen, kristina, angelina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, nicki, ruth, mcgillicutty

26 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures. Even when raining the architecture is absolutely breath taking!

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  2. I'm so glad to have this new perspective on Oxford. When I hear the name I think England and intellectual snobbery. Rather limited isn't it?

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  3. At the top of my list of places to visit. Your pictures make me long for it even more. I had a friend who was in England for the better part of last year and when she visited Oxford I was truly green with envy. She brought me home a colorful scarf with "Oxford" knitted into the design. I wear it to conjure words when I am blocked. We plan to go there together someday, to sit in the pubs and work on our journals only to be interrupted by lattes and book browsing--lots of book browsing. Sorry, miniblogging on your comments. Just so inspired. Thanks!

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  4. Hi B, wonderful pictures. I have been to Oxford a couple of times and yes... it has always rained on me. Jesiah Ashmole who founded the Ashmolian Museum there is one of my ancestors, have you visited it? I wonder if I have a family claim to all the goodies inside??? Check out my blog I posted a pic of my kettle just for you!!!!! Ali.

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  5. Must be nice to have found such a place, a "home".

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  6. beautiful. i've only been to cambridge, not oxford, but it was pretty charming too and since the U of copied a bunch of buildings from oxford, i'd probably feel at home. :-)

    and of course, i've watched a lot of Morse.

    thanks for sharing your corner (i might have to get in on that, tho' all those links at the bottom seem daunting...)

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  7. that was U of C, i'm horrible with the typing this week..

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  8. hey b. beautiful post and beautiful pictures. can i come visit? i need to practice my english.:) happy day!

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  9. @ Hit 40 & Jane, Glad you like Oxford! You can come and visit anytime, but beware, it WILL rain!

    @ The Fragrant Muse, there's lots of that in Oxford! Fortunately, there is so much more.

    @ Cindy, I'll join you, writing in journals and sipping coffee! My favourite thing to do! And I love that you miniblog in my comments!

    @ Mc Gillicutty, that's so awesome that you are a relative of Mr Ashmolean. The museum has been closed for works for over a year, but it's a very interesting place.

    @ Francesca, Sometimes, I feel completely at home here, others (Specially when I visit Spain), I'm not so sure, right now I'm in love with the city!

    @ Julochka, Oxford is soo much better than Cambridge! :) Although they are similar in lots of ways. Did they really recreate some of the buildings? That's crazy!

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  10. beautiful photos and text! i love england so much and try visiting two or three times a year ... your post reminded me why! :)

    p.s.: really want to watch that TED talk you posted, but it's been insanely busy these past few weeks and still is. will make time for it, though, promise!

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  11. I've been to both Cambridge and Oxford a few times and I must say I prefer Cambridge... sorry!

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  12. @ Polly, well, you'll have to visit again, see if I can change your mind and show you why Oxford is better! :)

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  13. Beautiful photos ! I don't know Oxford but I love England in general !
    PS: do you need an umbrella ?

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  14. Oxford looks like a serene place where I now must visit...
    especially after your insightful tour :) Thanks B...

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  15. @ Cabrizette, you ALWAYS need an umbrella here!
    @ Janis, it can be very peaceful if you know the right spots :)

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  16. Such a good job! I love these photos. These are some of my favorite from the day. I love those canoes.

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  17. Beautfully written. I love Oxford too. When I lived in London I used to visit this maic town every now and then. I love the atmosphere and architecture.
    Thank you for sharing,
    Kasia

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  18. Me encantaron!!
    me dan muchas ganas de viajar....

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  19. I love the photo you used for your opening - an open gate, beckoning me to come in! and books and boats? sounds enchanting!

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  20. Never been to Oxford but Inspector Morse showed me around in his beautiful red car years ago. LOL

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  21. Oh how I would love to be in one of those buildings...especially ones with lots of books in them♥

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  22. Great photos. I've been to England several times and have never made it to Oxford. I will definitely have to move that up on my list of places to go. Of course, I HAVE been to Oxford Mississippi...home of Ole Miss you know. I'll try to find some pictures for you...but they'll all be drunken frat parties I think. Maybe we'll just enjoy your oxford for now...

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  23. Thanks so much! I'm glad I wrote this, because I truly love Oxford and I want everyone to visit and see how beautiful it is!
    @ Janet, I know, I thought it'd be the perfect start for the post!
    @ Elizabeth, so many people know Oxford through Inspector Morse (which I have never watched!)
    @ I am Tulsa, Books and literary connections is definitely one of the reasons why I love Oxford
    @ rxBambi, the other Oxford sounds hilarious, although I think I'll stay in this one!

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  24. You clearly love where you live, quirks and all. Those boats are rays of sunshine. Hooray for city love!

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  25. Hey B...is there somehow we can make Corner View into it's own blog where we can all be members? Is that how the Hermit club works?(I haven't visited that blog yet). What do you think????
    ALI.

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  26. Hello McGillicutty, we could easily set up a Corner View blog and make everyone a contributor, then we can all post there. I don't mind doing it, if everyone wants this. I think the format now works well, because we all get to visit other blogs, but we could post in our own blog and then in the communal one, maybe? We should ask Jane, as she started this. I'll get in touch with her.

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