Cambridge Sights & University Colleges
Last night I did get brave and walked in a direction I haven't been yet and into a pub called The Royal Standard. It wasn't super busy, so I went to the counter and said to the girl, "Hiii, I'm an American person and need help." She was super gracious when I said I wanted a pale ale and let me try one before pouring a whole half pint. I sat outside and read for about an hour enjoying the ale. It is slightly awkward to be out doing these things alone, but I'll get used to it!
I forgot to mention yesterday that walking on the opposite side of the sidewalk and checking for traffic coming from the opposite way really hit me. It's so different and I forgot that! I initially wanted to find a bike because it makes travel so much easier, but I'm not sure if I'm that courageous this time. It takes some getting used to and the driving seems more aggressive now.
Also something that was immediately apparent is how thick the English accents are. I've already found myself asking people to repeat themselves, which is slightly embarrassing for me, but maybe it's charming when I ask, since I am clearly American? Probably just annoying, let's be real.
Oh and the weather! It is gloriously like fall. I am comfortable in long sleeves, a jacket, and scarf.
Alrighty...so what did I do today? Phew. A lot.
Well, one thing I don't love about this AirBnB is that there isn't a lock on the bedroom door and at 8:45 this morning, Dan came accidentally rushing in. He thought I had gone for the day already, as one probably would think since it was 8:45. I'm glad that happened, though, because I did not mean to sleep that long. I got ready and went to Black Cat Cafe, which is up the road. I ordered scrambled eggs, toast, and a flat white. Why does even the toast seem to taste better?
I didn't really have a plan for the day, other than waiting for Carrie to email me back. Carrie and Ian were my "house parents" when I was doing my internship in 2010 and I wanted to meet up with them while I'm here. I emailed Carrie a few weeks ago and I agreed to follow-up closer to time, but now I'm afraid that I won't hear from her, so I guess I'll message her on Facebook too since I didn't hear all day.
I basically wandered all day long and probably walked over 5 hours. I did want to walk along the River Cam on the route I used to ride into the Disability Resource Centre, where I did my internship. This is the long way around, for sure, but the views are nice!
Trinity Lane is on the route and Trinity College was open, so I popped in. Fun fact: Isaac Newton and Prince Charles are alums of Trinity College (no biggie).
Then back to King's Parade and the market, where all of the major shopping is located, including a three story mall. I walked around this area repeatedly and didn't buy anything. There is so much to see.
I stopped and sat in front of the Church of St. Mary the Great, which is directly across from King's College Chapel. A super talented guitarist was right outside playing and I noticed that no one clapped for him after a song ended. I guess everyone was just too busy rushing by. I clapped after the next song was over and he acknowledged me with a smile and nod. I so enjoyed his playing, so when I went to leave, I gave him a pound for his efforts.
I forgot to mention yesterday that walking on the opposite side of the sidewalk and checking for traffic coming from the opposite way really hit me. It's so different and I forgot that! I initially wanted to find a bike because it makes travel so much easier, but I'm not sure if I'm that courageous this time. It takes some getting used to and the driving seems more aggressive now.
Also something that was immediately apparent is how thick the English accents are. I've already found myself asking people to repeat themselves, which is slightly embarrassing for me, but maybe it's charming when I ask, since I am clearly American? Probably just annoying, let's be real.
Oh and the weather! It is gloriously like fall. I am comfortable in long sleeves, a jacket, and scarf.
Alrighty...so what did I do today? Phew. A lot.
Well, one thing I don't love about this AirBnB is that there isn't a lock on the bedroom door and at 8:45 this morning, Dan came accidentally rushing in. He thought I had gone for the day already, as one probably would think since it was 8:45. I'm glad that happened, though, because I did not mean to sleep that long. I got ready and went to Black Cat Cafe, which is up the road. I ordered scrambled eggs, toast, and a flat white. Why does even the toast seem to taste better?
I didn't really have a plan for the day, other than waiting for Carrie to email me back. Carrie and Ian were my "house parents" when I was doing my internship in 2010 and I wanted to meet up with them while I'm here. I emailed Carrie a few weeks ago and I agreed to follow-up closer to time, but now I'm afraid that I won't hear from her, so I guess I'll message her on Facebook too since I didn't hear all day.
I basically wandered all day long and probably walked over 5 hours. I did want to walk along the River Cam on the route I used to ride into the Disability Resource Centre, where I did my internship. This is the long way around, for sure, but the views are nice!
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| Midsummer Common, where cows graze freely |
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| Some of the punts on the River Cam waiting for the day to start |
Then back to King's Parade and the market, where all of the major shopping is located, including a three story mall. I walked around this area repeatedly and didn't buy anything. There is so much to see.
I stopped and sat in front of the Church of St. Mary the Great, which is directly across from King's College Chapel. A super talented guitarist was right outside playing and I noticed that no one clapped for him after a song ended. I guess everyone was just too busy rushing by. I clapped after the next song was over and he acknowledged me with a smile and nod. I so enjoyed his playing, so when I went to leave, I gave him a pound for his efforts.
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| This isn't a great photo, but wanted to take it because the guitar player is in it |
I then walked into the church, where a piano recital was happening. I thought, "Oh okay...wasn't expecting that, but let's sit and enjoy this for a minute." The kid was 16 and phenomenal. Not sure why he got to have a piano recital in this fancy location, but there he was and there I was. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to take photos, so I refrained.
After that I walkedwalkedwalked some more. I specifically went into shoe stores because my feet are a disaster. I will probably buy some new ones in Durham and maybe use Uber tomorrow while wearing the flip flops I brought with me. I've never had this big of a blister on the side/bottom of my foot and my heels are destroyed too. I went into a pharmacy searching for band-aids (for aforementioned wrecked feet), but also bought a razor and a travel flat iron. I didn't want to bring my flat iron with me because I didn't want to deal with voltage issues and potentially set my AirBnBs on fire. I have seen sparks from previous trips and didn't want that to happen again.
After the errand, I went in search of Christ's College because I knew their gardens were open, as well as an exhibition in the library. Fun fact: Charles Darwin, John Milton, and Sacha Baron Cohen are notable alumni of Christ's College. Hmm...who are those people?
More about Christ's College--Parish priest William Byngham established the college under the name God's House in the 1430s (not too long ago). It was moved in 1448 to a new location in Cambridge, where it was refounded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, the grandmother of King Henry VIII, as Christ's College in 1505. Lady Beaufort arranged for 39 books to be given to the library upon her death. Books at this time were extremely rare since the printing press wasn't used until the 1460s.
The library itself, as you can see in the pics above, is amazing. It's so old and dark and interesting. I saw books from the 1600s. The exhibition at the library is called The Art of Disruption: Society and the Supernatural, which featured books on ghosts, fairies, monsters, and witchcraft. As luck would have it, 15 minutes after I got to the library the curator of the exhibition was giving a talk. Duh--I stayed to listen and I'm so glad I did; I learned a lot. Any sort of tour or talk gives an added dimension to your experience. The last picture of the library from above is an original copy of Frankenstein. I signed my name in the library's visitor log.
After that, I was on the hunt for some cream tea, which is afternoon tea served with sort of a biscuit/scone with cream and jam. The late afternoon is a weird time because most lunch places are closed, but dinner places haven't opened yet. While searching (my dogs were really barking at this point), I ran across Pembroke College, so, of course, had to go in. It had really nice gardens and courtyards. These students are spoiled with such pretty atmospheres in which to learn. Fun fact: Actor Tom Hiddleston, who is famous for dating Taylor Swift (and maybe in his own right...I dunno), is an alum of Pembroke.
I couldn't find cream tea, but the chip shop near the AirBnB called The Sea Tree was opening right as I passed by, so I was their first dinner customer. The cod and fries were good, but I could've used some tartar sauce and was too much of a wienie to ask if it was available. I also forgot that the fish here has the bottom skin (scales?) on it still!
After that I walkedwalkedwalked some more. I specifically went into shoe stores because my feet are a disaster. I will probably buy some new ones in Durham and maybe use Uber tomorrow while wearing the flip flops I brought with me. I've never had this big of a blister on the side/bottom of my foot and my heels are destroyed too. I went into a pharmacy searching for band-aids (for aforementioned wrecked feet), but also bought a razor and a travel flat iron. I didn't want to bring my flat iron with me because I didn't want to deal with voltage issues and potentially set my AirBnBs on fire. I have seen sparks from previous trips and didn't want that to happen again.
After the errand, I went in search of Christ's College because I knew their gardens were open, as well as an exhibition in the library. Fun fact: Charles Darwin, John Milton, and Sacha Baron Cohen are notable alumni of Christ's College. Hmm...who are those people?
More about Christ's College--Parish priest William Byngham established the college under the name God's House in the 1430s (not too long ago). It was moved in 1448 to a new location in Cambridge, where it was refounded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, the grandmother of King Henry VIII, as Christ's College in 1505. Lady Beaufort arranged for 39 books to be given to the library upon her death. Books at this time were extremely rare since the printing press wasn't used until the 1460s.
The library itself, as you can see in the pics above, is amazing. It's so old and dark and interesting. I saw books from the 1600s. The exhibition at the library is called The Art of Disruption: Society and the Supernatural, which featured books on ghosts, fairies, monsters, and witchcraft. As luck would have it, 15 minutes after I got to the library the curator of the exhibition was giving a talk. Duh--I stayed to listen and I'm so glad I did; I learned a lot. Any sort of tour or talk gives an added dimension to your experience. The last picture of the library from above is an original copy of Frankenstein. I signed my name in the library's visitor log.
After that, I was on the hunt for some cream tea, which is afternoon tea served with sort of a biscuit/scone with cream and jam. The late afternoon is a weird time because most lunch places are closed, but dinner places haven't opened yet. While searching (my dogs were really barking at this point), I ran across Pembroke College, so, of course, had to go in. It had really nice gardens and courtyards. These students are spoiled with such pretty atmospheres in which to learn. Fun fact: Actor Tom Hiddleston, who is famous for dating Taylor Swift (and maybe in his own right...I dunno), is an alum of Pembroke.
I couldn't find cream tea, but the chip shop near the AirBnB called The Sea Tree was opening right as I passed by, so I was their first dinner customer. The cod and fries were good, but I could've used some tartar sauce and was too much of a wienie to ask if it was available. I also forgot that the fish here has the bottom skin (scales?) on it still!
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| I was hoping for some wine or something different with this, but Diet Coke worked |
Well, that's it for today. Another long one. It's 8:00 pm now and I feel like I should go back out, but I think I'm done. I know my feet are! Until tomorrow...adventure on!