Downtown Oxford part 2

Even with the overcast, gloomy day, I loved finding the colors around Oxford to help make the photos pop a little bit more. This spot with the crepe truck was a favorite corner with the colors all around, including the orange cones.

My camera was out at all times, ready to go and snap a photo at any given second. The settings were there; I just had to flip the switch on, hold it up to my eye, and click away. Since I knew my time was short, I wanted to see as much as I could but also capture just as much as well, saving those images.

Oxford was magical. Being able to walk where C.S. Lewis and other scholars walked, exploring Oxford University, and getting lost in the famous Blackwell’s Bookshop, was more than I hoped for. I would love to have the chance to go back again and explore the town even more, but I am so thankful for all that I could see that day.

Until next time, beautiful Oxford.

Downtown Harpenden

I enjoyed taking walks around downtown Harpenden in between writing or working on my book. Every so often, when the weather permitted, taking photo walks always helped keep my creative juices flowing.

Of course I was going to search for some color that pops to add to the photos. The image above of the shopping cart was a cool find; I love the colors and contrast here.

The downtown area wasn’t too far from the base (a twenty-minute walk), so it was nice to get out and explore Harpenden a few different times. There are a few grocery stores, a lot of thrift shops, pubs, restaurants, banks, and other boutique stores.

The first day exploring Harpenden, I took time to walk up and down the Main Street, photographing it all, wanting to see what was in this town. The following trips to town, I tired to venture down some of the side streets, finding more little hidden gems around town.

Thank you Harpenden for being so cute, I hope to see you again one day.

Downtown London part 2

Piccadilly Circus in London was one of my favorite spots. Maybe because it seemed like Times Square in New York, even though I’ve never been there. I wandered around this area for a long time, soaking it all in and watching the cars and buses whizz by.

This is one of my favorite images of Piccadilly Circus.

These cute little taxis were some of my favorites, besides the double decker buses.

One place I was hoping to explore was Chinatown. Right before coming to this spot, I had been walking around another area, not knowing it was so close to Chinatown. As I turned the corner, my eyes got real big and my jaw dropped. I loved seeing all the lanterns in bright red hanging all over the place. It was filled with so many wonderful restaurants. By the time I arrived there, it was already early afternoon. I had been walking all morning, and I was famished. The question was. though, which of these amazing places would I choose? When I first entered Chinatown, there was a place that looked really cool, Vietfood, so I ended up walking back there and grabbing some food. I had an amazing bowl of gochujang beef fried rice in a coconut bowl, which sufficed me for the rest of the day.

Until next time London. I to explore more of you again one day.

Downtown London part 1

During my two weeks in England there was a day that I had totally free. Even though I wasn’t feeling 100% from the cold, wet weather, I decided to take the opportunity to go out and explore London for as long as I could. I left the base early that morning and grabbed a train into town.

I was a bit overwhelmed with how big the city was and wasn’t sure where to start exploring. After getting off the train, I walked across the Millennium Bridge and then just went from there. I walked where my feet led me that day, taking in all that I could that day.

Though I didn’t see every spot on my list, what I did see was a lot. I even came across places that weren’t on the list. Though the day was mostly gloomy out, with an overcast sky, I still got some amazing photos. Later in the day the sun did come out for a couple of hours, which was nice.

I loved finding all of the different types of double decker busses around the city and other modes of transportation.

Stay tuned for downtown London, part 2.

Harpenden Neighborhoods

Every now and then, during the seminar, I would get outside and get some fresh air, enjoying the neighborhoods around the base. Most days I would walk into town and explore or down the street to the closest grocery store. On these walks, I enjoyed the beauty of the houses around Harpenden. From the colored doors to the vines growing and catching the sun peering through the clouds, it’s all beautiful.

Since there were several routes to and from the base, I made an effort to travel along as many of the local streets as I could.

This last image is one of my favorites from the neighborhood strolls. If you look closely, you will find some action figures up in the windows. I love how the sun shines on part of the house, showing off the contrast of light and shadows.

Downtown Oxford part 1

When I found out we were going to have an outing and spend the day in Oxford, I was so excited!! After we explored where C.S. Lewis lived, we headed to downtown Oxford. Of course, by that time we were hungry and headed to a couple of pubs to enjoy some food. I went with a few of my friends to the pub in the photo above, King’s Arms, and had the best bangers and mash I have ever had.

After lunch, I grabbed my camera and went on a photo walk, exploring as much of the city as possible. Leaving the pub, I looked to my right and saw this cool street lined with pastel-colored buildings and cool doors; of course, I headed that way first.

I walked wherever my feet took me, seeing as much of the Oxford beauty that I could see. Thankfully the rain had pretty much stopped that afternoon; it was just a bit cold.

There were so many brightly colored businesses, cobblestone alleys, and much more. It would have been cool to have seen more, but with the short time, I felt that I saw quite a bit.

The meet-up point for my fellow seminar friends was at the famous local bookstore, Blackwell’s. When I first passed by it while on my photo walk, I was going to take a photo, but there was such a large crowd of people in front that I waited to photograph it. But of course I forgot later on. It was seriously the biggest and coolest bookstore I’ve ever been to in my life. There were so many levels, stairs, and books everywhere. You would probably need a few days to look through the entire shop.

Until next time, Oxford.

Oxford CS Lewis

“You can make anything by writing.” C.S. Lewis

The church C.S. Lewis attended in Oxford, along with the cemetery where he was buried.

During my time in Harpenden, we had the opportunity to travel to Oxford for the day. Our first stop was where C.S. Lewis lived, attended church and was buried. This was a wonderful experience. I sat on his pew, walked in his footsteps, and toasted his grave. Some of the students brought something to drink (nonalcoholic 😜) so we could toast to Lewis (and to Tolkien later on in the day). Some of us read excerpts of his writings and how he has inspired us.

Inside of Lewis’ church

In front of the pew where Lewis’ worshiped.

Lewis’ home in Oxford.

Being in front of The Kiln’s, C.S. Lewis’ home where he wrote all of the Narnia books and other classics, was really awesome. It was amazing to have been that close. He also has a nature reserve close to his house (photo below). I would have enjoyed simply sitting there, and taking in the scenery whiling reading his books.

C.S. Lewis Nature Reserve near his home.

It really was a wonderful experience, despite the fact that the majority of the morning we spent wandering was chilly and wet. The rain stopped as soon as we got to Oxford, allowing us to see the city without getting too soaked.

JRR Tolkien’s grave

Once at Tolkien’s grave we toasted to him as well, including some reading from his work. If you notice in the photo above, at his grave, people have left 3 rings. 😍

Oxford University

After learning more about C.S. Lewis, we walked around Oxford University and the city (more in future blogs), exploring the beauty all around.

The lamp that was supposedly inspired by Narnia!

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” CS Lewis

YWAM Harpenden

Back in February I had the opportunity to travel to YWAM Harpenden to attend a writer’s seminar/retreat for two weeks. I found out about this seminar from my friend Charis, who led the time when she posted it last year. After I received more information about it, I knew this would be just what I needed: a time to be around other creatives in an inspiring environment to work on my writing.

This was actually my second time at this base, even though I don’t remember much about my first time. It was back in the early 2000s when I was traveling to the US from Madagascar. I had an overnight layover in London, and with some connections, they put me up there at the base.

The Harpenden base is gorgeous. All of the buildings (most of them) make up an oval, with a large grassy area in the middle. There are many buildings that house staff, students, volunteers, etc. There is the large dining hall, a pottery studio, an amazing coffee shop (The Oval Cafe), a chapel (photo above), and more.

Every morning we all met together, with classes about poetry, book publishing, telling a story, parts of a story, and a lot more. Some mornings we had worship together with the base, devotions with just our group, or intercession. And the afternoons were filled with time to work on our books/writing, doing pottery together, and talking walks.

This was one of the things I created during pottery class. The first one was a bowl, and this is a replica of a house in Sebiu, Romania. We had two classes for pottery, but I wasn’t able to make the second one, as I was getting over a bad cold. We could create something freehand or use the pottery wheel. I ended up just using my hands to create those two things. Working with clay is very relaxing and fun. You can make whatever you want.

I miss going to the Oval Cafe to grab a coffee or chai and work on my writing. And there were days I grabbed a delicious pastry as well. It made me think of the cafe I worked at with YWAM Budapest. This cafe is also a ministry, opened up to the public.

The cafe as well hosted our reading evening, where we all took turns reading snippets of our book, something new we wrote, or a poem. I was extremely nervous, but I was so proud of myself for getting up there and sharing from my heart. Everyone did an amazing job that evening!

I miss all these faces!! They are an amazing group of creatives. It was such a blessing to be around them all for those two weeks. It went by way too fast!! But I am thankful that we still keep in touch from time to time, learning from each other.