October 24, 2002 - Page 2

From Windsor, the commuter train dropped us off in Oxford, home of a little school that has stuck around for some 900 years. A vibrant community even amongst the gowns and ivy, they say Oxford is rivaled only by Danville as the world’s premier college town.

Recharged by the fresh dose of country air and Centre gossip, we returned to London prepared to see everything possible in our vacation’s final 24 hours. This included Westminster Abbey, essentially an overgrown English mausoleum; the awesome British Museum, imperial Britain’s cluttered attic; and a glimpse of England’s royal family. That’s right, none other than Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham (you may know the wife as Posh Spice), accompanied by Sir Elton John, paraded through Piccadilly Circus as we strolled by, and I was not above rubbernecking with the rest of the paparazzi.

Having already seen the real British royalty, there was no need to stop by Buckingham Palace the next morning. Besides, after 10 days on the road we were ready to head

home, even if that meant hurdling the language barrier yet again. After reacquainting myself with my nation’s divorced parent, it was time to begin the second half of the semester in Strasbourg.