Cambridge

I love England. (Despite the fact that I am now having internet problems in base lodging.) Yesterday, I spent the day in Cambridge with Mark and Kathryn. Mark is in his second year of a Ph.D. program at Cambridge University, and Kathryn works several jobs including one for the psychology department of the University. One of the perks of being a University employee is that you get more access to the buildings and attractions than the general public, and this includes anyone accompanying you... which yesterday was me. :)

Cambridge has the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen in person in my life. It is mind-blowing to walk around and look at all the intricate detailing on every inch of these massive buildings, and to imagine how much time and how many people it took to build hundreds of years ago without modern tools and equipment. I took something like 90 pictures over the course of the day, because every time you turn a corner, there is another awe-inspiring sight. Plus, we had the most perfect weather day since I have been here, sunny and low 70s.

The drive over in the morning was easy, about 40 minutes. I met Kathryn at their flat (Mark was in the lab working on a presentation), and we began the tour! We started at the American war memorial/cemetery, which was interesting to see our flag flying. Then we drove into the University grounds, parked at Kathryn's building (another perk), and walked from there. We started at King's College, the most prestigious of the University's 30-something social groupings. (Kathryn said to think of Cambridge's "colleges" like fraternities, not academic groupings, but every student is a part of one.)

King's College gets its name from the several Kings of England in history who attended Cambridge. To be part of the college now, you must be royalty, extremely rich, or extremely well-connected. The buildings are just staggering in size and beauty (yes, I'm going to run out of synonyms for "beautiful" and "gorgeous" before I'm done with this post). We got to skip the line at the gates (thank you, Kathryn) and here is the view when you first walk into the college grounds:



Then we went on to the King's College cathedral, one of the most famous buildings on campus. Unbelievably huge inside, with gigantic stained glass windows. (Pictures are in album link at end of post.) From King's College we went to Queen's College, then met Mark for lunch at the most popular pub in Cambridge, The Eagle. Originally an RAF pub, it has stickers inside from all the military units who have visited, including many USAF flying squadrons. On the ceiling are writings from WWII flying crews who wrote messages there before leaving for battle. I had my first pub drink, a Kopparberg cider. I was worried about not fitting in at a pub because I don't drink beer, but the cider was very good and Kathryn assured me that they are available at every pub in many different varieties.

After lunch, we went to the Round Church, built by the Normans in the 1400s, if I remember correctly. We also visited two different outdoor markets, which had so many things I could use to decorate my house... there will definitely be a return trip. We watched a lot of people on the river in the Britsh version of a gondola, called a "punt". You can hire a professional punter to drive the punt, or you can do it yourself. Kathryn says this results in many amusing instances of people falling off the punt into the river, of which Mark was one. Unfortunately, we did not get to see anyone fall in this time, hehe.

Then we went to St John's College, and saw the famous Bridge of Sighs. Supposedly, if you float under this bridge on a punt with your significant other and kiss while you are under the bridge, you will stay together forever. Interesting. Then I found my favorite building/view of the entire day, also part of St John's College:


Doesn't it look like a palace? So unbelievably gorgeous... there was a wedding going on so we could not get inside, but the outside was enough for me. You probably have to marry into the royal family or something to have your wedding here... but a girl can dream, right? :)

After walking around some more and a trip to the grocery store, we headed back to Mark and Kathryn's flat for dinner. What a great day, I can't wait to go back! Pictures are posted on Facebook (I was getting complaints about webshots) here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292517&id=701905001&l=5489d507af

You should be able to access it even if you are not on Facebook, but let me know if it doesn't work and I will try to fix. Church tonight at 5pm (contemporary service is in the evenings here), but other than that a relaxing day. Housing process continues tomorrow.