Oxford Inspires

Christ Church College, Oxford University

June brought me to Oxford where I hosted a spinal research symposium for our non-profit organization, the International Spine Research (INSPIRE) Foundation at St. Anne’s College at Oxford University.  

June is the perfect time to visit England – with moderate early summer temperatures and just prior to the summer tourist season.

I’ve been to Oxford a few times and every time that I visit I find myself immersed in scholarly desires. 

This is the quintessential College town.  Oxford University was the first University in the English-speaking world.  Students from over 120 countries make up its 20,000 student body.  The University is comprised of 38 Colleges each with its own distinct flavor for academia.  Walking around the historic city you can’t help but dream of what it would be like to attend Oxford.

I met up with my friends who convened for our course, and took a stroll through the city.  We came upon Oxford University Press, the origin of the famed Oxford English Dictionary and publisher of a myriad of over 4,000 books per year.

Oxford is historically renowned as a holy place in the annals of English literature.  Take the pub, The Eagle and Child, owned by St. John’s College, just a short walk from the city center.  In a small back room every Tuesday morning between 1939-1962, a writers’ group known as The Inklings’ would meet to chat over beers discussing their latest books and manuscripts in progress. 

The Inklings was an informal literary discussion group including the likes of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.  Tolkien penned ‘The Hobbit’ as entertainment for his four children and in 1933 shared the book with Lewis.  The rest is history.  The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy that followed were some of the first books I read in grade school for pure pleasure.

In June, 1950, C.S. Lewis distributed the proofs for ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, the first of the Chronicles of Narnia, which he read aloud to Tolkien – who is said to have absolutely hated it.  More recently, Tony Blair who studied law at St. John’s College in the 1970’s was also a regular at the Eagle and Child.

New graduates exit Hertford College under the Bridge of Sighs

Oxford is known as “The City of Dreaming Spires” so nicknamed by poet Matthew Arnold in regard to the steeples pointing to the sky throughout the historic city.

With the conference over, my work for the day done, I set out for a pint at The Bear Inn public house.  This is the kind of place that I seek out – one of the oldest pubs in town, dating back to 1242. 

Unique to this pub is its collection of over 4,000 snippets of ties, given by customers in exchange for a pint.  The tie pieces are displayed in glass cases on the walls and ceiling in the pub.

Walking throughout this magnificent city the stone architecture is appreciated to have stood the test of time.  The landscape is meticulously manicured everywhere you look.  Dating back to 1525, the grounds of Christ Church College are impeccable and impressive.  This college has produced thirteen British prime ministers, equal to all other Oxford Colleges combined.Popularity in the public eye, the college is the setting for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.  More recently, the Harry Potter adventures were notably filmed at Christ Church.  Notably the dining hall scenes among others.

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The Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe.

Across the street from “The Bod” is the King’s Arms pub, one of the main student pubs in town.  A popular local myth is that the King Arms has the highest iQ per square foot of any pub or bar in the world.  I had to see what all the fuss was about.  Students having just finished exams were enjoying themselves in relaxing celebration.  I brought my journal along that I use to write to my kids when I’m away, and took the opportunity to sit and write to my son about all Oxford had to offer.

My last stop of the evening was The Turf Tavern, a 13th century ale house acclaimed for the many famous scholars who have graced its doors throughout the years.  In fact, President Bill Clinton’s famous failure to inhale took place at this very pub while he was attending Oxford as a Rhodes’s Scholar.

If you’re over 5’10”, you literally have to duck your head to enter – testimony to the authenticity of the age of this place – built in a time where people were significantly shorter.

At each of these pubs, a chat with strangers becomes an interesting sharing experience with new acquaintances.  People don’t keep to themselves, abroad, as we do in America.  I don’t think it’s the beer talking – locals are genuinely keen on getting to know you, and vice-versa.

As you’ve probably heard, England is not very well known for their food.  However, you’ll find the pub food of local peasants fare always delicious.  Bangers and Mash are usually on the menu, but I opted for the fish and chips.

I finished Kai’s journal for the day and headed back to the Old Bank Hotel to get some rest before the morning’s bus ride to London and flight home.  Oxford is one of those places that makes an impression on you.  I look forward to my next visit.

Thanks for visiting the lounge,
~Chris

Grand Cayman, British West Indies

The crystal clear turquoise water that is unmistakably the Caribbean and undoubtedly Grand Cayman Island, British West Indies.

Each Memorial Day weekend, the annual Digital Motion X-Ray Innovators Conference is held on Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies.  On four occasions since 2005, I’ve had the pleasure of being one of the presenters on the course faculty for this one of a kind seminar. 

My good friends, Dr. John and Linda Postlethwaite who host the course pull out all the stops for the weekend providing a First-Class experience.  They are the most generous and gracious hosts.
Mindy’s parents volunteered to watch the kids to allow us the opportunity to have a mini-vacation over the long weekend.  Mindy looked forward to the adult conversation the time would bring.  We took the red eye out of Phoenix to Charlotte and connected on the first flight out to Grand Cayman the next day.

The Cayman Islands are located just South of Cuba, and the captain announced that we were flying directly over Havana in flight.  Looking down out of the window in 1A, I wondered what it would be like to visit there.  I have heard that Americans have been known to enter Cuba for a holiday from Grand Cayman.  As the story goes, the Cuban Customs agents simply don’t stamp your passport and nonchalantly let you pass into the Country.  I think this would be a cool – the adventure of it all!  I had to settle for smuggling home two bottles of Cuban Rum - Havana Club.  That was as close as I would get to Cuba on this trip.

Grand Cayman on approach

As in year’s past, John and Linda gave us the VIP welcome.  We took a short taxi from the airport to a nearby marina, quickly changed into our bathing suits and hopped on a boat, exchanging our luggage for Red Stripe Jamaican beers and off we went to swim with the stingrays.

 

The color of the water is awe-inspiring and photos simply cannot capture the beauty of this tropical paradise.

 

Stingray City is a protected National Park that is actually a sandbar on the North Side of the island. The sun and sky reflecting on the white sand provides the dazzling tranquil colors.  Larger tour boats bring guests from the cruise liners and vacationers to visit this glorious place.  Even the locals don’t get bored with the uniqueness of such a place.

 
It’s called Stingray City due to the many rays that patrol the bottom.  This massive sandbar is sheltered by a coral reef that divides the four-foot shallow water to a drop off to 6,000 ft.  You can see the dividing line from the turquoise water to the deep blue sea at this juncture.

Fisherman wanting to cool off after a day’s work would come into the sandbar to take a dip and use the opportunity to clean their fish.  This is what initially attracted the Stingrays and they’ve been there ever since to the delight of all who visit.

The conference was held at the Kaibo Yacht Club, a beachfront venue looking over the Caribbean. 

This is the only venue where I don’t need to wear a tie during my presentation.
This year’s faculty included a neurosurgeon who has been using the Digital Motion X-Ray technology to diagnose upper cervical spine instability, personal injury attorneys who utilize DMX to document ligament injury, and chiropractors who depend on this advanced radiological technique to identify spinal dysfunction, as well as soft-tissue injury in their every day practices.  It is amazing state-of-the-art technology with a growing research-base and utilization among medical physicians, biomechanists, and chiropractors.

After the course, we had dinner on the beach while sitting on swanky pillows atop the sand on the water’s edge.
Fresh fish seaside would be the evening’s fare.  Mindy had red snapper with a ginger soy sauce and I opted for the fresh grouper.  
As the evening progressed, dancing on the beach was followed by lighting sky lanterns that floated off into the night sky.

 

Drs. Mike and Sylvia Smith launch their sky lantern.

  

 

The following day, Dr. John and Linda took the entire seminar on a boat cruise to Stingray City for an afternoon of fun and networking.

Dr. Royce Jones examines a conch that he picked off the bottom to share with friends

At Stingray City, it’s your chance to get up close and personal and swim with the stingrays.  The Rays are tame and used to human interaction.  The tour boat guides bring squid with them to entice the Rays to stay close and interact.  I’ve watched the guides handle the stingrays for several years now and have gotten the knack of corralling a stingray. 
The trick is to hold their wings in your arms and let their nose go right into your chest.  You have to resist the natural tendency to lift up on them, as this removes them from the water.  If you allow them to stay submerged on the surface, they will stay with you for minutes at a time.

Contrary to the media that followed Steve Irwin’s death, Stingray are very gentle creatures.  They are known to release their stinger when threatened and the known instances of this would be when stepped on, or when their tail is being tugged by a predator such as a shark … or just a careless human.

From Stingray City, the boat went to the reef for an hour of snorkeling.  The reef fish were gorgeous with vibrant colors and schools of fish.  Caribbean lobsters lurk beneath the safety of the coral and a green moray eel came out to greet us.
The boat tour concluded back at the Kaibo Yacht Club where a Caribbean barbeque complete with Ox Tail awaited.  As be exited the boat, we were greeted on the beach with Rum Punch to enjoy and the fellowship and sharing continued over a delicious beachside lunch.
That evening we went to my favorite restaurant on the island, The Lighthouse. 

This oceanfront hotspot has all of the island charm you would expect.  Hard plank floors, seafaring windows, and a lighthouse tower.  Even the wait staff dresses in captain’s uniforms.  All of this adds to the ambiance of the experience. 
But, most importantly, Dr. John had reserved the Port Room – the air conditioned, humidity controlled wine cellar where a huge round table for 20 fills the room.  We filled every seat at the table.
The Lighthouse has made Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence each year since 1997, and I was appointed the selector of the evening’s wines.  We began with 2008 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and moved on to the 2007 Frog’s Leap Chardonnay.  2007 Conundrum from Napa was next up followed by a beautiful Sangiovese, 2006 Poliziano Rosso di Montalcino from the Brunello Region in Tuscany, Italy.
Mindy began with Ceviche and I enjoyed the Red Conch Chowder.  For our mains, she had the Caribbean platter of lobster, shrimp, and fresh mahi, while I was treated to Island surf and turf.  John and Linda ordered Beignets for the table to share for dessert which arrived in oversized Martini glasses.  The Beignets came both regular and in chocolate and were served with chocolate and strawberry sauces.  Cafe Du Monde has nothing on these Beignets!

Touring Grand Cayman is a treat for the eyes.  Driving along the North Shore affords a look at the island’s ocean front homes, secluded beaches, and the lush tropical views.

 

Along the East End, history abounds.  One of the most told stories in the islands history is the story of "The Wreck of the Ten Sails". Legend says that one night in November, 1788, the "Cordelia", the lead ship of a convoy of merchant ships bound from Jamaica to Britain ran aground on the reef at East End.

A signal was given off to warn off the other ships, but was misunderstood as a call to follow closer and nine more ships sailed onto the reef. The Cayman people of East End are reported to have shown great heroism in ensuring that no lives were lost and legend further states that one of the lives saved was one of royalty.
For this, King George III is said to have granted the islands freedom from conscription, while another report claims that freedom from taxation was bestowed on the people of the islands as a reward. Either way, the tax-free status of the Cayman Islands is legendary as well.

From shore, you can see the reef and the Wreck of the Ten Sails.

True island living is cutting a coconut from the tree with a machete and drinking the fresh milk moments later.

 

 

On Sunday, with the conference over, many of the delegates headed for home.

  We were fortunate to have one more day in paradise.  We took a leisurely boat tour, and anchored at Rum Point.  White sand, cafe’s, water sports, and hammocks make Rum Point a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike.

This was the perfect opportunity to soak in the crystal clear water and enjoy a Cuban cigar.  There aren’t too many days that I’m able to do “alot of nothing.”  It was a great time to recharge and relax.

Saying, “so long” to Grand Cayman is hard, but it’s reassuring to know that next Memorial Day weekend we’re booked to return. Thanks John and Linda!

Sunset at Rum Point, Grand Cayman