10,000 thundering typhoons. Yes, the rumours are true. Oxford was once Foxford…read more I was born and raised in this spectacular city. I spent 14 of my first 16 years here. I then returned here to attend some little unknown old University that was founded in 1096 (arguably), and my college (New College) was from 1379. Other than its stunning natural beauty, and the gorgeous alleyways and cobble streets, the perfect parks on hills and famous dreaming spires, one of the best things about Oxford is bicycles. You can cycle everywhere and most people often do. I would get up over 30mph on a regular basis, shooting all over town. I still have tree trunk thighs from a childhood of this. Another great thing is Town & Gown. It means that it's not all about the stuffy old college that nobody has ever heard of. It's also about the real people of Oxford, the "rest", and that dichotomy and polarization of the culture here got me in several knife fights (usually defending a friend) and a few beatings here and there, but nothing like what happened up in Manchester when I lived there. It's one of my favourite cities in the world, and is gorgeously tiny, and easy to navigate quickly. It has some spectacular food considering how tiny it is, none more great than the Mixed Kebab at Bodrum Kebab, which has been doing it for nearly 3 decades now and doing it perfectly. Both parents still live in Oxford (in very different conditions), and I am in touch with them. I go back as often as I can. Obviously the city means a lot to me because I used it as my 10,000th review. I think I'm like the 4th or 5th or 69th person to reach 10k reviews, and I suspect my word count might be closer to pole position. Must be that useless education at that old Uni from the 11th century in action. Oh, and moving to America did wonders for me too. Now I'm as strong as an... er, Ox.