the not-so-perfect storm

punting: a springtime phenomenon in Oxford; a small boat you push with a long stick.

that's about all there is to it. yet somehow punting is one of those Oxford traditions... and one of those 'must do' things in this town. so i tried it. and i'll admit, it's actually as exciting as it sounds--a small boat that you push with a long stick.

my policy on boats has been and will always be the following: today we have motor power technology, so there is no more need for human power to propel a boat, just like there is no need for a flinstone-like car propelled by our running feet. times have changed my friend. if there is no engine on the boat, i'm not getting in.

but... last week i decided to overlook my policy for the sake of engaging in tradition, along with some friends. the company was great, and although the pushing the boat with a long stick at 1.5 miles per hour (if not slower) was a tad anti-climactic, it was a beautiful day and the scenery was quite nice. ducks were following us around, children were playing cricket, all was good. or was it?!?!?! (as creepy music beings playing in the background)........

and then it all changed. i took control of the punt for our the last leg of our journey. we noticed dark clouds coming into the horizion and a very light sprinkle of rain began falling upon us, but we could see the boat house, so we were all excited to have made it back unscathed by Oxford's tempermental weather. but then it happened... this was our titanic. we were too close to the banks and apparently i must have gone over a rock or something... but we were stuck. and at that exact moment, THE STORM hit. think i am beng too dramatic? get this...

now, i have seen a lot of storms in my life, but try to tell me this is not fate--or God just adding to my adventures in the OX. at that moment the skies opened up. there was thunder and lightning (did i mention i was holding a 20 foot metal pole) and HAIL (did i mention that it is mid-may!! and weather has been in the 70s) and pouring rain. pouring. so here we are, stuck, stranded and enjoying a downpour of biblical proportion.

so the story goes on. at first we all freak out (well, a certain one of us more than the rest), but then we just start laughing hysterically. in fact, the laughter is probably what dislodged the punt. we eventually make it back, completely drenched. and to add to the irony... the minute we all get into the car, the rain stops. done. dry, blue skies.

my love-hate relationship with Oxford continues. where will the adventures lead me next?? stay tuned...