Friday we had the opportunity to go to the University of Cambridge. This was one of the most fun days I have had here so far. It was a total blast in ever way! We left Friday morning and headed for Cambridge. On the way we stopped at the only American military memorial in all of England. It commemorated those that died over Europe in the 2nd world war. It was need to see the white crosses all over the long, and several stars of David to remember those who were of the Jewish faith. We walked along a large stone wall that had all of the names of the men who were lost.
We then jumped back on the bus and were dropped off in Cambridge and allowed to do what we wanted for the day. Cambridge is fun little town and the University is gorgeous.
We walked around and found a small cafe where we stopped for lunch. It was fun to be back in a town with a university and see students our own age. We felt like we actually fit in for the first time since leaving the states. After lunch we found the Fudge House. I am not a big fan of fudge, but they offered us a free sample, and it was the most amazing fudge I have ever tasted. We watched him make some fresh strawberry fudge and talked with him about Cambridge (I thought of you grandpa, because I know how much you love fudge!)
The Fudge House
Yum :)
We then walked across the street to see the University! Schooling is done very differently here...Many do not go to a University or a "uni" as they call them. Many go to a college, which is specified for their trade. But those that do want to attend a university, they have to pick a college within the university. The college does not just determine their "major" is what they would call it in America...but you also live, eat and go to school with your college. You have your own sets of professors, and different colleges get together to do social things. We toured Kings College. There is a chapel there and it is had the oldest architecture. There was also a carving of lovers initials on the wall from 1665! Yes, people did fall in love and have the same teenage habits of carving initials into trees and walls. :)
Pictures of Cambridge!
Kings College
The Chapel
Lovers---initials in 1665
Now for the story...on the way into Kings College, we were walking up the stairs and at the top it said "Mind the Steps". There was a man that works for the college standing by the door and when I got to the top of the stairs, I laughed saying to my friend next to me, "Mind the steps?...obviously I am going to mind the steps, they are stairs!". I then proceeded to open the door and trip up the steps going into the college! The man then said to me..."those were the steps!". Okay so this may not be funny to you, but I died laughing for 2 reasons: 1. I had just acted like the sign was a no brainer and 2. tripping is just an "Ashley" thing to do. So there is my funny story! Hope you enjoyed the comedy for this post...
After seeing the chapel, we went downtown to look around and shop. Everyone wanted to buy a sweatshirt for not only memories, but it was freezing outside, and a sweatshirt sounded brilliant.
After stopping at several shops, we were all satisfied with what we purchased. We pulled our hoodies on and decided to go punting despite the cold. For those of you who are not familiar with punting, here is what it is: You get in a shallow fishing boat and a man stands on the end and pushes the boat with a long wooden rod. He gave us a tour of the colleges at Cambridge as we went up and down the river. It was freezing, and he took a ton of time to talk with us so the 45 minute tour turned into an hour and a half. But it was interesting to hear about Cambridge. Here are some fun facts about the University:
Tuition for those who live in England is 3,000 pounds (6,000 US Dollars)
The average size of the colleges is 400 people
Has one of the lowest drop out rates
You cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge
It was not bombed in WWII like Oxford was because Hitler liked Cambridge
The first college was Emanuel and was founded in 1584
There are 32 colleges at Cambridge
Around 13,000 students attend the University at one time
Punting on the River
Bridges along the way...
The night ended by running from the dock to the nearest Starbucks to warm up, getting more fudge, and getting lost on the way to the bus. Once we got home we grabbed dinner at a local Kabob place (so amazing) and gathered for "girl talk" upstairs...It was one of the most incredible days I have had here.
Don't forget...Mind the Steps :)
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