The “4th of July” on the “5th of November”

So little did I know that it would be the 4th of July on the 5th of November… Most Americans are at least semi-familiar with the film “V for Vendetta”… I remember watching it with some of my college friends during my freshman year at VCU’s in West Grace… It wasn’t quite to my taste (I remember it being quite creepy), but there was plenty of greasy Chinese food and laughter to go lighten the mood… Haha It was the story of the “Gunpowder Plot” to blow up Parliament on the 5th of November… I had no idea then, that the anniversary of the 5th of November was actually quite a celebration in modern-day England!

In Oxford, the 5th of November was reigned in by massive bonfires, never-ending random firework shows, and burn 25ft effigies of Guy Fawkes (one of the more infamous “Gunpowder Plot” conspirators… I actually have to admit I feel bad for the poor guy, because more than 400 years after his failed attempt to destroy Parliament and dethrone the King, he is still being ritualistically burned every year in celebration… I mean to the guy’s credit he was put to death after the whole affair 400 years ago; don’t you think he deserves some peace already… Haha :)

But in England it’s quite the affair. The celebrations have continued all weekend… Last night rather than heading to yet another large bonfire, I decided to try out the Asian Food Festival with some friends for a little reprieve from Guy Fawkes and his effigy… It was delicious food and turned out to be a pretty good deal for a yummy meal! As we were leaving we actually stumbled onto an amazing fireworks show… (I swear they were everywhere!)

This afternoon, I am happy to report that after 2 days the burning effigies seem to have finally all been put to rest for another year… Haha It was a gorgeous crisp autumn day this afternoon, so I took another long bike ride… I managed to get myself thoroughly lost in the Jericho district, and then downtown near the train-station, before finally stumbling across the Oxford rowing docks… It actually turned out to be kind of a neat little excursion… I hadn’t seen the infamous “rowing practices” that everyone seems to attend religiously around here… It was a very quintessential Oxford  moment… Haha

 

Well that’s all for now… I’m off to a friends housewarming party and then most likely in for a quiet night at home reading! :)

With Love from Oxford… –Mary Elizabeth