Cambridge (15 July)

Today we took a bus to Cambridge and spent the day there. It’s about a two hour ride—a good time to read.

The first thing we did was to go down to the River Cam and have a go at punting. A punt is a wooden riverboat that is like a gondola (it is powered and steered by a person standing on the back with a very long stick). So six of us got on a punt and we set off. At first I was the only one who wanted to try my hand on the back with the pole, so I did the first 20 minutes. It was harder than it looked! I finally got the hang of it and it was really fun! It was a beautiful day.

Spencer (Dr. Gardner's son) is punting with King's College in the background

After that I walked around the markets a bit until 1:00 when I met up with my friends. I had planned to meet Lu and her husband, both who are studying at Cambridge for the summer. So, we met at the gates of King’s College. Then Lori and two of her friends (in the same program at Cambridge) met up with us. They got us into a bunch of places for free because they have passes for their program. We all ate lunch at King’s College with our legs dangling over the Cam. Then we went to the beautiful chapel, known for the church with the most percentage of stained glass windows (proportional to wall space). They took me to the library, which is totally different from university libraries in the States. It is much smaller and tighter, with small rooms off of it and little aisles packed with books. Usually the undergrads can’t check out books, but just have to study them in the library itself.

Then we stopped by Corpus Christi College, the oldest one. There we saw the oldest buildings in Cambridge, including original dormitories and an Anglo-Saxon period church (from 1025—wow!). Next we went to Pembroke College, where Lu and Dustin live. The library, grounds, and gardens there were gorgeous. We got to see their flat, too. Our time together passed too quickly; at 4:00 we had to be back at the bus. 

Happy reunion! Outside King's College

Inside the Pembroke Library. It's much more open than the King's College library.

Pembroke Library and grounds

Corpus Christi--these are the old dormitories. Dustin and Lori are cousins, Dustin and Lu are married, and Lu and I are  JC friends. What connections!

Corpus Christi green

Tonight we went to the grocery store quickly and right now I’m watching “Homeward Bound.” Suzanne just found it at Sainsbury (the grocery store) for 3 pounds! It’s quite the throwback to watch.

I love being in the university setting. Lu was telling me how neat it is to be in a place where everything inspires questioning and learning. I’ve been really fortunate to know the right people in both Oxford and Cambridge because I’ve gotten the inside scoop in both places.

Tomorrow we’re taking a train out to the countryside and going on a hike—a perfect way to spend a Saturday.