High Tea and High Street

Oh, to be in England Now that April's there.. Robert Browning

From Shakespeare and Dickens to Constable and Turner, from Elizabeth I and Churchill to Christopher Wren and Inigo Jones, the British invasion unquestionably predated the 60’s musical movement.

The elegance of the British language, extension of the history, grandness of traditions and idiosyncrasies of her inhabitants have been denoted in libraries, enhanced on the stage, ridiculed by comedians, and beloved by Anglophiles worldwide.

Yet, just as copious quantities of British culture have crossed the pond in mass measure, for centuries the enticement of education has encouraged travelers to return to England to explore the origins of their heritage, higher learning, incomparable writing and even witty humor.

Thus my own adventure begins… the next two months of my education at Brasenose college and Oxford will be catalogued by thousands of pictures taken, hundreds of books read, dozens of new friends made, eight tutorial essays printed, and enough escapades, excitement and stories to last a lifetime.

So will I prefer the Grande Café or the Rose? Will I enjoy egg salad and watercress or cream cheese and cucumber? Will I cheer for Chelsea or Manchester? (Or should those even be my top 2?) Is my favorite Harry or William? 221b Baker street or Stratford upon Avon? Tesco or Marks and Spencer? Cricket or real tennis? Cadbury UK or Cadbury US?

I’m looking forward to tasting Kabobs and Ben’s cookies, exploring Oxford and London and adding to my ever growing list of favorite things.

In fact, in my own revised words with thanks to Dame Julie Andrews and Oscar Hammerstein (humming is definitely encouraged):

Shakespeare and Sherlock and high tea with scones,

Shortbread and Cadbury, and cobblestone roads,

Windsor and Westminster, Queens and their kings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Lewis and Carroll and Elizabeth Bennett,

TimeOut and Blackwells, football and cricket

The hour bells tolling as the St. Paul’s choir sings

These are a few of my favorite things.

So, with a toast to current favorite things and future favorite things, I am en route to High Tea, by way of High Street!

The game’s afoot,

ej

April 11, 2010
Washington