Indescribable. (Day 9)

"I can't believe it. I'm in love. I'm in love with a young, handsome, talented duke."

"Duke?"

"Not that the title's important, of course."

"I'm not a duke."

"Not a duke?"

***

Yes, my life is now Moulin Rouge. Except I don't have TB. And I'm not in France. And...I needed a quote about a duke, okay? This was one of the most absolutely unbelievable days of my entire life. AND MY CAMERA DIED. But fortunately, my friend Megan was around to document what I couldn't, and what you wouldn't believe. (plus I took some blurry iPhone pics)


We spent the afternoon at Blenheim Palace. It's really intense, but I only took four pictures of it:

I'll steal some of Megan's photos, but the palace pictures will just be more close up--they wouldn't let you take pictures inside.

The palace was cool, but the awesome didn't start until later that afternoon. It just so happens that the same day we were there, THE OLYMPIC TORCH was passing by Blenheim. The Duke of Marlborough, relative of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, an one of the highest-ranking nobles in England, lives in one wing of Blenheim, and he wanted to greet the torch. So we clamored to the front of the "runway." There was very little security, and no physical barrier to hold people back. England, man. We saw torch bearer 97 run up to the steps of Blenheim and pass the torch to number 98. I don't know who they were, and neither did our BFF the cute security guy. Here are some lovely iPhone pictures as we await the torch:

oh hey, Duke.

According to the Brits talking behind me, the Duke once had a thing with Jackie O. Seems legit. Also, while we were waiting, a band played mostly showtunes (Big Spender from Chicago? Wrong country, mates.) but also the Y.M.C.A and Teddy Bear's Picnic. I was extremely disappointed that they didn't play the Wallace & Grommet theme. And then THE TORCH SHOWED UP! (and the same Brits made "run, Forrest! Run!" jokes...in horrible Southern accents)

The passing of the torch!

The next torch bearer.

The Duke then invited us all to give three gives for the torch. Yes, they are big fans of "hip-hip-hooray!" in the UK. After singing Land of Hope and Glory, everyone cleared out, and they interviewed the Duke aside. And then I went home, right?

Not quite. Our bus wasn't due back for a bit, so we milled around. Then the Duke headed back toward his wing, across the main courtyard. So naturally, we asked him for a picture. He seemed confused, but was really nice about it. Most people don't take pictures with dukes? That picture, I SWEAR IT'S REAL, is still hiding on Megan's camera. 

I was so giddy I almost ran around the courtyard. Instead...I just skipped around the gardens. But our day was far from over. That evening, the city of Oxford was having a big celebration for the torch's arrival. But it was a ticketed event in a park, and they gave out tickets to locals over a month ago, so how were we supposed to go? Well...my friend Katelyn just happened to be living in Oxford over the summer, and she just happened to be going out of town that day. So she didn't need her tickets. So I got them.

After a lengthy walk, we arrive at the round-a-bout we were supposed to turn at, and it is a sea of people. We worm into the thick of it, some cars drive past, and we overhear lots of "Well I think I saw the top of a flame. Maybe."  Should have gone to Blenheim, people! Ten more minutes of pushing, and we are past the round-a-bout, find the park, and get in line (sorry, the queue). A security lady walks down the side of the queue saying that the other entrance has no line, and we should go there. There was definitely a line. Half the line leaves, and she jokes about how, yes, there is a line there too. And you're welcome. Good thing we stayed!

Inside was basically a carnival. I had some lovely samosoas and a "99 flakes," a.k.a. the best soft serve ever. Then there was a performance at this giant tree/stage thing (called The Tree of Lights). It was mostly local kids as far as I could figure. It was very weird and experimental, as Olympic stuff tends to be. Once Megan's video is online, I'll link to it. It's long, and if you're wondering "when it's going to start," don't. That's how it is. Still, it was cool to be there, especially since none of the other kids on our trip really knew it was happening.

My shoes were muddy, and my feet were sore, but WHAT A DAY!!!