Adventures in Punting

Doggy Navigator

Our punting boat

Punting Instructor

Other Students struggling to move along

Dictionary.com defines punting as rather concise, "To propel (a boat) with a pole." Sounds simple, right? In actuality, punting was a lot more complicated than it was defined.

On Friday afternoon, our program had the pleasure of taking part in a parting excursion on the river Cam (the major river that runs through the city of Cambridge....hmm, I wonder where they got name?). Usually any day on the river Cam, you can see lots of flat boats propeled up and down the river by a punter. A punter is a professional who stands on the back of a flat boat, balanced with his or her feet, and carries a huge, long wooden pole and moves the boat backward or forwards by pushing the pole in the water. Most of the tourists are smart and hire professionals to take them along the river Cam. However, our program decided to let us be a little more adventorous by letting us be punters for the day. We would be in a boat of six, and anyone who wanted to could punt for a little bit then switch.


We all headed down to the docks about 3 in the afternoon, and there we divided into groups of 6 (6 people in a boat) and received a short, 5 minute punting lesson. Our instructor basically told us to keep the pole in the water and use it as a rudder, steering the boat to the right or left if need be. We waited while several groups got out, and then I decided to punt first in my boat. I got on the back of the boat with my feet flat on its backside, balancing my weight evenly. I grabbed the wooden pole and put it in the water, moving it away from me so the boat would start to move. I did not realize how heavy the pole would be; it was similar to weight lifting, the resistance of the water made it even more difficult to push the boat along. I kept trying to get us away from the dock and then I heard the director of the program from the shore, shouting at me, "You can do it, Lisa!!! Do this for your Italian heritage!!!!!!" With him shouting at me (he's nuts and I have no idea what punting has to do with the history of the Italian people), I was able to get the boat out of the dock and through the bridge to the other side.


In just a matter of minutes, I was happy to exchange the wooden pole with someone else in my boat. Punting, as I learned quickly, was A LOT harder than it looked and definitely less fun. While other people in other boats jumped out and into the water, we were told it was not easy to fall in; you could only really fall in if your pole got stuck on the bottom of the river and you kept pushing, thus propelling yourself into the water. Once I was nestled safely inside the boat, I had an amazing view of "The Backs" of colleges, including King's College, Clare, and Trinity. The river was crowded though with lots of other punting boats, including one with a navigator dog! It was an action packed hour, and we were more than happy to finish punting and head back to the college for pizza and relaxation.

So that was part of my fun this past weekend, but this week is a different story. I am currently trying to finish up papers and other coursework due this week. Since we leave on Thursday morning for a looooooong trip to Scotland (about 8-10 hours by bus), this short week is jammed packed! I am thinking of everyone in the US and hope you are all doing well and staying cool!

Cheers, Lisa

High Tea in London

Enjoying the best cup of tea in my life!



Outside with the Doorman

Outside of Brown's Hotel, where High Tea happened

The tower of wonderous delights

High Tea-ing

High Tea is a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should partake in if they plan to be in the London area. High Tea is different from regular tea in several respects; you can only do "high tea" at some of the most expensive, posh places in the city, such as Brown's Hotel, the Marriot, and other fancy, British hotels. High Tea is not just a tea bag with some biscuits. Instead, it is a pot or two of finely steeped, loose tea that is placed through a strainer, and served with a tier of fancy, edible items, such as sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries.

My group of friends and I had been planning our high tea trip since about two weeks ago. After much planning, we secured a reservation at Brown's Hotel for 3pm on Saturday, the day when our group would have a free day in London with our program.

After spending some time at London tower and London bridge, we headed over to Brown's hotel, located not too far from Picadilly Circus, a NY Times like attraction with neon billboards and large signs.

Once we arrived at Brown's and we saw a doorman in a top hat standing outside, I immediately became nervous (Is this too high society/too uppity, I thought to myself...would we even be allowed through the door?!). We were told the dress code in advance (which was "smart casual"), so we made certain everyone in our group was appropriately dressed in khakis or black pants with no "sport shoes" (we all assumed that meant sneakers). Once the door was ceremoniously opened for us and we walked inside, I became very excited. The team room was to the left, and featured soft, pastel padded sofas and chairs. I was engulfed by the aroma of fresh hot tea and my eyes were delighted at the colorful trays of pastries and sandwiches. Near the side of room was a piano player, playing pretty much everything from Elton John to Whitney Houston.

Since we had a reservation, we were immediately seated at a long, rectangular table, with couches and padded chairs on the outside. Looking around the room, I suddenly felt underdressed. Men were in jackets and ties, while women wore beautiful, tailored suitjackets and pants, or short dresses and skirts. "We're tourists," I thought to myself, "and we're dressed nicely considering we've been trekking around London all day." Looking around, no one seemed to mind that we were there. If anything, the British people were assumed that we were taking photographs of every edible item and every piece of silverware in front of us.

When we sat down, we browsed the tea selection and I decided on the safe British breakfast tea. Included in the price of afternoon tea was unlimited homemade scones, homemade jam and clotted cream, finger sandwiches that were cucumber, tomato and cheese, smoked salmon, or ham and eggs, and a mini dessert tray. Sounds delicious, right?

The silverware and the teapots were all genuine silver and once my tea arrived and I took a sip, I was in shock. It was not overwhelming, bitter, or strong; it was exactly how I imagined real tea to be: slightly sweet and refreshing. I wondered if it was the leaves themselves, because I never add sugar or honey to my hot beverages. I only added a little milk. The tea was hot and it was unlimited as well, and I ended up drinking a pot and a half!! The scones were amazing, and they were miniature so it didn't feel as bad eating several of them at once. The finger sandwiches were also amazing, and I especially enjoyed the cucumber and cream cheese as well as the smoked salmon. Our high tea experience was not rushed, or very or very American (no drive thru high tea available), but for about 2 hours, we sat to savour every last drop of tea and the delicious, mini sandwiches and desserts. My friend Sarah even requested the Elton John "Your Song" to the piano player and he was very happy to play that for us.

However, reality struck when the bill arrived. At about £32.50 pp (around $60), for our high tea afternoon, my wallet took a hit. But it was technically our lunch and dinner in London (we last ate around 8:30am and our waiter refilled our sandwich tray about 4 times), and it was worth it to have the best cup of tea I've ever had in my life. No lie. My only wish for you all is that you may one day experience the delight and wonder of high tea in London.

Likes/Dislikes about Life in the UK

In honor of being in the lovely UK for about 2 and 1/2 weeks, it is time for a Lisa L reflection on some negatives and positives about this country.

First, my list (only 5 items for now) of grievances:

1) The tap water system. Whenever you go into a bar/restaurant in the US, you are automatically served water in huge, 16 oz glasses with loads of ice. However, in British bars, you get nothing at the table. I mean nothing---just a table. You have to go up to the bar to order all your food, then usually you pick it up too. In addition, you have to ask for tap water, and I've been to a number of bars/restaurants on the weekends, and I've asked for many a glass of tap water (y'all know how much water I can drink). Tap water in a British bar consists of a tiny, just above shot glass size glass of tap water, sans ice. Most of the bartenders I have asked seem peeved too, as if it's a huge inconvenience to put a glass under the tap and actually turn the knob and fill a glass. Go figure.

2. The pound/dollar conversion. The pound is double the dollar. Double the prices, not double the fun. Doubley-ridiculous, I might add. A cup of tea in the city is around 2 pounds ($4), and gum (the little 25 cent packs you can pick up at the market of winterfresh or whatever) are double the price, about 60 cents. It makes me sad at times, so I've stopped doing the double-ing in my head. It's easier on the bank account to just "think in pounds."

3. The entire different system of time, measurements, etc. Right now, the clock on the computer reads 20:54 and I have no idea what that means. Wait, I do...I just have to subtract 12 hours. The British are definitely fond of making you work for understanding the time.

4. No Target or Wal-Mart. Although I did discover Sainbury's (a discount grocery store), which is wonderful!!!

5. The SLOW drivers/driving. It took us 1.5/ 2 hours to get from London to Cambridge, which is only 45 minutes by train. The problem is, the bus driver doesn't go over 60 miles an hour, and their "highways" are actually two lane roads, hence the slowness of it all. When we go to Scotland in the beginning of August, it is a 10 hour bus ride. Oh joy!

And now, some things I REALLY enjoy:

1. Everything in walking distance. Cambridge is similar to Boston...you need a camera, post-it notes, detergent, and dry cleaning? Just walk outside of the college and within 3 blocks, you're covered. I love that, and I love getting some exercise in (including my room being on the 4th floor of the building).

2. The History/Architecture. Everything in the US is about 18th century...I remember seeing a gravestone that read 1898 or something like that in Reading and thinking it was amazing. In England, some buildings are centuries and centuries old, and living/residing in a building built in the 13th century is just amazing!

3. Hob Nobs. Best British treat ever. It is a oaty, hearty, round biscuit with the top lightly dipped in chocolate. It is wonderful with tea or coffee. I'm bringing a suitcase full of hobnobs back for everyone. No lie.

4. The comradere of the program/residential life. This program brings me back to the undergraduate experience, with everyone living, studying, and dining together. It is like another family/group and so wonderful to always have someone to talk to/distract/walk downtown!

5. The weather. A British summer is (wait, wait for it) a balmy 70 degrees or so. It is not hot, humid, or stifling. It is spring, jeans and t-shirt type of weather, incredibly comfortable with some rain here or there, but for the most part, PERFECT travel weather. What more could you ask for?

So this week, I've been keeping busy with classes and schoolwork, but this weekend, the fun begins....with excursions around Cambridge (including punting...which is kind of like rowing) on Friday then all day London on Saturday!! I can't wait :)

Karaoke!

Last night, we headed out to Quinn's, an Irish pub next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for some quality Karaoke. Once at the pub, I had a classic Pimms and Lemonade, which is really what everyone in England drinks (either that or some sort of Beer). Pimms is a sweetish hard liquor, and the lemonade isn't the lemonade we think of--it's sort of a fizzy soft drink that goes down nice and smooth. It doesn't even taste like alcohol, which is fantastic! I can't do a manhattan (or, um, is it a granny??) like some people. ;)

After grabbing a few drinks and watching some people make absolute fools out of themselves, I submitted my name for Journey's "Don't Stop Believin"--a classic song!!! I was called up to the microphone, but they didn't have the song I wanted--it was a different version, with different words, and by a different group! LAME! So I sat down instead (I had no idea what the song they were playing was) and later on did a group song with all the girls, Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart." It was a great song, and we got lots of applause and cheers, even though it seemed like the song went on forever...including a looong musical break.

The most hilarious thing happened shortly after....one of our professors showed up to sing!! I don't personally have him for class (he teaches travel writing and is in his sixties), but some of the other people have him for class and were shocked at his un-teacherly behavior. He sang "Doctor Doctor (gimme the love)." I didn't know the song, but I found it hilarious. He was busting all these moves left and right, and I learned that he used to be in a rock band when he was younger. No surprise there. He got even more applause than our group!! Here are a few of the photos from last night:



Getting really into the music!

"Turn around, bright eyes......"

Emily, Sara, Yas, Me, and the other Sara with our awesome bartender!

Our professor singing-really into the music!

Canterbury/Dover Photos

On Dover Beach, which was very rocky!!!

With the girls at High Tea!

A Lookout spot on top of the tower!

The funniest sign I have ever seen.

Canterbury Cathedral

Me in the Abbey of the Cathedral

The Cliffs of Dover!!!

Outside of Dover Castle

At the top of Dover Castle! We are victorious!

Just a note...

Blog is being tempermental. If you want to read about Canterbury and Dover, make sure you click on the link to get the full version, with the song lyrics at the end!

Canterbury & Dover

The word "Canterbury" usually evokes Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a book many of us were forced to read in high school or college English class. However, Canterbury also refers to a Cathedral not too far from London, the place where Thomas Beckett, the archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered and martyred. Since the 12th Century, it has been a place of great pilgrimage and worship.

After a late night (Thanks to a Shakespeare performance in Avon-Stratford) and a very early start the next morning (poor planning! poor planning! What what who said that?), we would embark on our own 2 1/2 hour pilgrimage to the Cathedral via the coach bus. Before I continue, I must launch into a short diatribe on the coach bus. It is probably the most poorly designed bus ever. The seats feel like cardboard with a thin layer of material placed over them, the leg room (for anyone over 5'5") is incredibly cramped, so your knees keep hitting the seat in front of you....the bus driver also loves to blast cold air for some reason, and no matter how many seat positions I've tried (about 38), it's impossible to get comfortable. Miraculously though, I was able to take a short nap on the bus.

When we finally arrived at the Cathedral, we received individual audio tours and a chance to wander around this medieval site. The Cathedral itself was an excellent example of Gothic architecture, with its pointed arches and vaulted ceilings (oh Prof. Raguin would be proud), but my favorite part of the Cathedral was the actual place where Thomas Becket died. On the floor was a simple plaque that said "Thomas" in red letters, and above it was a sculpture with a cross in the center and two long swords pointed downward on either side. It was a sinister sculpture, but with the light and the shadows, it almost looked like the crucifixion, even though it stood for the four swords that pierced Becket. I know my description does not do it justice, but when I upload my photos from yesterday it will make sense!!


After Canterbury and a fast-paced lunch at a tea room to catch the bus, we headed out on the road to the short journey to Dover Castle and the Cliffs of Dover. As soon as our bus pulled up to the Cliffs of Dover, I leapt up from my seat to take some pictures and to absorb the sheer beauty of the cliffs. Jutting out from land, the white cliffs stretched high above the English Channel, interwoven with moss and lush greenery. At the very top stood the majestic Dover Castle.

At the Castle itself, we were able to do a tour of the Secret Wartime Tunnels (WWII). In May 1940 these tunnels provided the nerve centre for Vice Admiral Ramsay to plan The Secret Wartime Tunnels Operation Dynamo – the evacuation of British and allied troops from the Dunkirk beaches of northern France. Inside the tunnel, we were able to view the places were the 700 personnel (both civilians and military people) lived and communicated. There was no air within the tunnels, and the only window was in the bathroom. Shifts were 12 hours long, so workers would come to work in the dark and leave in the dark.

We even got to stand in the very spot in the Command Centre where Sir Winston Churchill viewed the Battle of Britain!!! History unravelled in that moment of time, and I realized the importance of this very place in the War history. Yet, I was also struck by how obsolete it had become. For example, the machine room was lined with various devices, light bulbs, and communication systems....machines that seemed to stretch far down the tunnel. Our tour guide informed us: "All the machines in this room actually contain the power of a single laptop." It was amazing to realize how far "we" (human civilization) had come in terms of technology and other inventions. I was also struck by the fragility of it all--in one moment, you are there, taking part in the war effort, and in the next moment, the very spot you stood had become a museum, a place where other generations could view part of your past.

After exploring the castle and the surrounding areas, we trekked to reach the area by the English Channel, were our coach bus was promptly waiting to pick us up at 5:30. Since we had about a half an hour to kill, what better way to spend it than dipping our feet into the English Channel? The beach of the English Channel was as Matthew Arnold described in his poem "Dover Poem"---full of "shingles," a term for the rocky, pebbly area leading up to the water. That's right, there was no soft, feet friendly sand, only various sizes and shapes of craggy rocks. They were rough and grainy against my soles, but the struggle was worth the chilly dip into the waters of the English Channel.

The cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle have been, without a doubt, my favorite trip thus far. The historical site, the gorgeous, natural scenery, and the water are all almost etheral, and also written about in famous song, "The White Cliffs of Dover."

There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see.
There'll be joy and laughter
And peace ever after
Tomorrow
When the world is free.

A song of optimism and hope, and also, of the beauty of Dover. If you get a chance, go here--it's well worth the journey!

So what's ahead for Lisa? Tonight, dinner at Cambridge and then hopefully Karaoke. And tomorrow, catching up with readings and researching!

Cheers!

Classes

During the week here, there is little time for travel or exploration around the city of Cambridge, since we are all fully engaged with our classes. I believe a famous philosopher was said, "College would be great if it weren't for classes." I'm kidding, kidding of course. The classes I'm taking at Cambridge, 20th century poetry (Eliot, Hardy, Yeats) and Ulysses are both incredibly manageable and interesting. The courses here meet twice a week (mine on Monday & Wed. and Tues & Thurs.) for 2 two hour sessions. Each of my courses is taught by a Cambridge professor, so that means fun British accents and people who know a lot more about British/European history.

The 20th Century poetry course is taught by an 80 year old man named Glen, with a thick british accent. I usually see him walking to class with his green suit and backpack tossed over his shoulder, calmly making his way through the courtyard. We read several poems as homework then basically discuss them as a class, with one major paper at the end. Glen, at 80 years old---is incredibly "with it" and very knowledgeable, whether it comes to terminology or relating a poem to James Cameron's great 1997 hit, Titanic. The class is delightful, and the 2 hours seems to fly by....

The other course I have is Ulysses, which is in itself a difficult text. It is over nine-hundred pages long, and written in a stream of consciousness way, with no filtering system. For example, a page reads, "Want to be sure of his spelling. Proof fever. Martin Cunningham forgot to give us his spellingbee conundrum this morning. It is amusing to view the unpar one ar alleled embarra two ars is it? double ess ment of a harassed pedlar while gauging au the symmetry with a y of a peeled pear under a cemetery wall. Silly, isn’t it? Cemetery put in of course on account of the symmetry." It seems strange at first, but the teacher (Rod M.) is helping us unpack such a dense text and focus on themes of British Imperialism, Irish Nationalism, and the Roman Catholic Church. In this class, I also have one major paper due at the end, which I will be steadily working on for the duration of my time here.

The coursework and class times are both conducive for the trips that are planned on the weekends. For example, this Thursday evening, we are going to Stratford upon Avon to see MacBeth, and all day Friday we will be at Dover Beach and the Cliffs of Dover--written about in the famous poem "Dover Beach," by Matthew Arnold. It should be a busy, action-packed weekend so I am trying to read ahead and finish up all my work!! Until next time....cheers!

London photos

A few of the street performers at Covent Gardens.


An entertaining musical group

This sign speaks for itself

The British Calvary practicing.

More street performers.

London!!

On Saturday morning at the (excuse my language) buttcrack of dawn, I rolled out of bed. Glancing at the alarm clock, I saw it was 6:45am. Wishing I could sleep for another few days, I grudgingly rolled out of bed and tried to throw on some halfway decent clothes. I planned to have breakfast in the hall before, so that I would be fueled up for a very long, on-the go day.

I met Yassmeen and Sue on the top of the stairs to walk down to breakfast, where I feasted on scrambled eggs and wheat toast--the cook is starting to know that this is the dish of my choice, since today I walked in and he already started getting it ready. I also had some fresh fruit, and took some cereal and more fruit from breakfast for snacks/lunch in London. After b-fast, we headed to the coach bus, where we boarded on the bus for the 1 1/2 hour ride to London. By train, London is about 45 minutes from Cambridge. However, British roads are not like American roads, where you can travel 75-80 mphs and get to places quickly. The Bus could barely do 60 mph on a two-lane highway. Hence, why it took so excrutiating long to get from Cambridge to London.

Thankfully, we finally arrived and were dropped off right near Big Ben. Let me tell ya, Big Ben ain't so big. In fact, he should called, "The tower formerly known as big." In relation to the skyscrapers, the London Eye, and other tall buildings, Big Ben is measly. I actually learned though, that Big Ben isn't the name of the clock tower at all, but of the bell inside. After walking by Big Ben, we decided to head to Westminster Abbey, a massive church/abbey where former royalty, poets, writers, and presumbly rich people are buried. I saw the tomb of Elizabeth and Mary I, as well as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry the VII. Westminster is also the place where Princess Diana's funeral was held. Speaking of Princess Diana, all around the city I saw souvenior stands that carried huge postcards of Princess Diana, including one that was shaped like a cut out of her head. Isn't that a bit morbid? I couldn't think of anyone who I would send a postcard of the deceased Princess too. It seemed to be in poor taste.

After Westminster, we headed to Covent gardens, which is a large marketplace. We also stopped by the Royal Calvary on the way, where the British army trains (I had the urge to shout at them, Keep training! You lost the Revolutionary War! That's about all I have to hold over the British). It was rather uneventful, just poor cavalry people sitting on horses getting photographed by throngs of tourists. My favorite thing was probably the sign, which said, "Warning. Horses may kick or bite."

On the walk to Covent gardens, we passed Trafalgar square, as well as numerous Pizza Expresses and Prets, highly recommended by Beth G as being inexpensive and yummy.

Covent gardens was beautiful--consisting of a large open marketplace with numerous entertainers. There was a man on a ten foot high unicycle, another performer who was a charlie chaplin look alike, and one man who could balance himself on the top of a ladder and juggle knives. It reminded me somewhat of Fanueil Hall, but more performers, and to the extreme!! I had a wonderful time looking at all the items for purchase there too, including a hilarious t-shirt that said, "Hanging with my gnomies." I didn't buy anything because it was all a bit too knick knacky--I mean, who needs a wooden sculpture of a panda or a silk scarf? Not me!!!

First class and fancy free, She's High Society

On Friday, a momentous event happened. So momenteous, I (and everyone else in the program) was allowed to break one the number 1 rule at Cambridge. I was allowed to walk on the grass!!!!! That's right, I not only was able to walk on the grass, but also loiter there, take off my sandals, and even squish my feet into its immaculate greenness.

That day was the day of the Cambridge banquet, this past Friday. On this evening, dinner was an hour later and we would gather first on the lawn around 7pm to enjoy sherry and white wine. We were told to wear our finest---I wore a black dress with an asymetrical hemline and pulled my hair back. After some primping, I met my friends on the lawn where we admired the grass, savored some white wine, and took photographs. I passed on the sherry since all I could remember about sherry was that Ann of Green Gables passage where she drinks too much of it and ends up being sick.

Once the dinner gong was rung, I entered the dining hall, which had been transformed. Gleaming white tablecloths adorned the table, and fancy programs advertising the banquet were laid on the long, wooden tables. Two glasses of wine were offered to us, both red and white. The meal itself consisted of several courses: a smoked salmon, quail egg, and salad platter, tomato basil soup, steak with potatoes and green beans, and finally, apple charlotte with ice cream for dessert. I mean, quail eggs! I never had quail eggs in my life, and I assumed it had to be some sort of delicacy. The meal was also probably around 50 or 100 dollars each. It was an elaborate affair, and in the typical british manner, it was not quick. It was long and drawn out, with breaks in between courses where students read various pieces about the Cambridge Experience, some written by Sylvia Plath or other former students of Cambridge. I closed the cermeony with a reading by Arthur C. Benson, which truly captured the spirit of our program this summer. At least, our own optimism for the program.

"But it pleases me to think that even now there are men
who live quietly among their books, unambitious, perhaps
unproductive, but forgetting the flight of time, and looking out
into a pleasant garden, with its rustling trees, among the sound of
mellow bells. We are, most of us, too much in a fuss nowadays to
live these gentle, innocent, and beautiful lives; and yet the
University is a place where a poor man, if he be virtuous, may lead
a life of dignity and simplicity, and refined happiness. We make
the mistake of thinking that all can be done by precept, when, as a
matter of fact, example is no less potent a force. To make such
quiet lives possible was to a great extent what these stately and
beautiful places were founded for--that there should be in the busy
world a corner where activities should not be so urgent, and where
life should pass like an old dream, tinged with delicate colour and
soft sound"

Not bad, eh? A bit deep, but enjoyable. After the banquet, completely stuffed, I went for a walk with Yassmeen, Ann Marie, Alan, Sarah, Jason, some of them grad students, and a few undergraduates. We walked around the town, enjoying the difference of Cambridge at night--a lot less touristy, but another venue emerging--the nightlife. People in their twenties and thirties were already gathering at bars or smoking outside on the street. I glimpsed taxi cabs lined up in a long stretch, presumbly for people to take around the city to various clubs and bars. I haven't gone out in Cambridge yet, but hopefully next week, since I heard there is a Karaoke place not too far from the college.

After the walk, I headed straight to bed since the next morning, we would leave for London at 8am!!!

British Expressions

Here are just a few British expressions that I enjoy, or just completely confuse me.... (esp. the ones about food)

cheers = thank you, goodbye

love = dear

biscuits = cookies

crisps = potato chips

chips = french fries

lorry = truck

loo/toliets = bathroom

telly = tv

pasties = meat and veggie pies

pickles = relish/chutney delight

King's College Choir

Today I had the intense pleasure of seeing the King's College Choir. The choir is one of the oldest and most prestigious groups, usually singing for special events or for various functions. I was hoping to see the boy's choir, which is composed of young males around ages 7-11, but we happened to sit in on the evening vespers ceremony, where the college male choir sang.

Getting to the actual chapel was intense. We were not allowed into the chapel until approximately 15 minutes before the service, and there were strictly no photographs, cell phones, or loud coughing allowed!--okay, I made that last one up. But seriously, the Brits are intense. While waiting outside the chapel in the courtyard area, the Sign "Keep of the Grass" was written in five different languages!!!!

Once inside the chapel, we all waited while the college males filed in, about 10-12 in all. They must have felt somewhat awkward being constantly oogled at. We waited while they began to chant evening hymns in Latin, and it was absolutely beautiful. My favorite was "the anthem" in which they all harmonized their gorgeous voices together....guys that could sing high notes too. The chapel itself was so beautiful as well as their voices, and I closed my eyes and even began to cry---the music was just that moving. Around me, other people closed their eyes or bowed their heads in prayer.

We all received programs of the Latin chants so we could follow along, and at the bottom of each page, it said, "please turn page quietly." The British don't forget any details!

The finale performance of the choirs are this Sunday, and I would love to see the boys' choir, especially because their voices are so high and untouched by puberty---almost angelic!!

Me....Mistaken for a local?

Today I had a bizarre experience. With my ipod nestled firmly in my ears and my feet planted on the ground, a middle-aged woman and her husband, map in hand, stopped me in my tracks.

"Excuse me! Excuse me! Could you please tell me where the old farm road is?"

(Pretty impressive, already being mistaken for a regular. I think it was the powerwalking and sense of direction that tipped her off).

"I think you need to go down to the next road. This one here is a dead end, so it won't lead you anywhere."

"Thank you so much! Appreciate it!" she replied warmly.

Only my 2nd day here, and already, tourists were asking me for directions. The thing about Cambridge is....it's a bit like Harvard Square. During 10-6pm, there are TONS of people around from all over the country and even the world. You cannot even walk down the street without seeing lots of middle aged people with maps, fanny packs, or tourists in total and utter confusion. The town itself is almost an L-shaped, so it is actually not that difficult to become lost or need to ask for help.

And anyway, what does it mean to be a local? Isn't Cambridge just another transient college town? There are people who reside in Cambridge year round, but in the summer, they take off, and college students and tourists flock to the city. My favorite time of day is actually early morning (8-9:30am). It is wonderful to take a walk at this time, since the sidewalks are nearly empty and the buildings stand in their picturesque, early morning beauty. So maybe Cambridge is slightly confusing to get around....that's probably why I'm even more flattered for being mistaken as a local.

Food, Glorious Food!

It's a widely accepted fact that British food is horrible. The image of boiled potatoes, some strange, unrecognizable piece of meat seem to be the obvious image conjured. If not that, then a person with yellow, uneven teeth (Think: Austin Powers) easily comes to mind. On a quest to discover whether the British got it right or not when it came to cuisine, I can't speak for the entire nation, but I can successfully say that the dining hall at Caius college has it down.

Breakfast and dinner is included in the summer university program, and both are an elegant affair. At breakfast, there are options of cold cereals, fresh raspberries, strawberries, and melons, as well as an assortment of bread, cheeses, butter, and fresh pastries. If that's not enough, in the kitchen is a "british breakfast," consisting of fried and scrambled eggs, sausages, beans, and boiled tomatoes. I don't understand the whole tomato bit, so I stick with safe foods like cereal and eggs.

For lunch, I usually go to the grocery store or the open air market to buy fresh bread and fruit. At 1 or 2 pounds ($2 or $4), you can have a light lunch like Irish soda bread with brie and an apple.

Dinner is a very fancy affair. The dining hall resembles Hogwart's, with long, narrow tables and about 20 people on each side. You can see a photo of the dining hall here....http://cambridge.unh.edu/
No one sits at the head of the tables. We are served by a very pleasant wait-staff, all of them English as a second language.

The first course is usually some sort of salad or soup, and you are allowed to choose whether or not you would like the soup or salad. The next course is the main course, which is usually some sort of meat...so far, we had boneless chicken and salmon, and tomorrow--duck. There are three sides with the main course, some sort of vegetable like stringed beans or ratatouille, and then some sort of potato...whether it's potatoes au gratin or steak fries. The food has been fantastic, as well as the delicious salads and other dishes. Honestly, I feel as if I am at a fancy, elegant restaurant rather than a university. There's also an abundance of ethnic food places in the area...Indian, tai, italian, and even irish pub-type of places! All these delicious dishes are possible with the walkability of the city, which has beautiful gardens and parks, as well as a river that runs through it (sadly, no Brad Pitt), so I am able to do lots of walking and breathe in the fresh air.

I'm not certain yet if there is a typical "British food," but I know that what I am being served right now is absolutely delicious.

Early Life

Today I arrived at Cambridge University and was overwhelmed by the number of different colleges as well as the sheer beauty of its architecture. The college I'm at, Caius (pronounced Keys), is actually in the center of town, away from the hustle and bustle of tourist life. Upon immediately entering Caius, there are no longer throngs of asian tourists or random Brits walking the streets, but it is limited only to the participants in this summer program, about 50 students. There is only one rule inside the college--NO WALKING ON THE GRASS!!! If you do, they call in the SWAT team and the pack of rottweilers. Just kidding, they don't do all that...but they do get very upset and you get severely reprimanded.

I had a chance to unpack and settle into my room, on the very top floor (about 5 flights up--no lifts). It is oddly shaped, but with a large picture window and my very own sink, which is convenient. Every day, a maid comes in in the morning to get this--make my bed and straighten up my dresser. Do they think American college students are incapable of such a thing?

Classes begin tomorrow, but I am anxious to explore the parks and the gardens surrounding the colleges. One of the parks is actually called "Christ's pieces"---only the Brits would come up with a name like that. Tomorrow afternoon, there is a performance by King's College Choir, one of the most beautiful choral ensembles in the world. http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/ I also plan to check out the open air market around here, where you can buy fresh and inexpensive fruit...a bit like haymarket!

My favorite British expressions so far would be "cheers", which is said as a goodbye, and "love", which is a bit like"dear" (ex. how can I help you, love?). I also discovered a wonderful discount grocery/store called Tesco, where all the prices are very low and you can make sandwiches with fresh items--it is like the Superwalmart of the UK!