How long have I been here?!

So I've only been here in Cambridge for about two days now, but I feel like it's been forever since I left California!!  It's probably because I've already done so much and seen so many things, and it seems like it's only going to get busier.  

Yesterday was the first day of classes, and right now I'm taking two classes; one is on the neurobiology of addiction, and the other is on the history of disease and Western life.  Both seem like they're going to be very interesting, but they're moving extremely quickly because they're only four weeks (I'll have different classes for the last four weeks of the term).  However, I didn't have class until about 3:30, so I managed to squeeze in some fun stuff in the morning.

I'm living in King's College, which is famous for it's chapel (aptly named King's College Chapel).  However, this is not your standard, run-of-the-mill chapel.... this thing is huge!!  Because of the way it's situated in the college, it's hard to get a good picture of it, but this should give you a general idea:

This is one incredible building.... it took over a hundred years to build, features twenty-six enormous stained glass windows, and the ceiling features the largest example of fan vaulting in the world.  As of yesterday morning, I hadn't been inside yet, so I went with a few girls from my college.

The stained glass is really beautiful in there; of course, photos never do it justice.  The other amazing thing is the giant organ in the center of the church (it's the big gold thing in the photo below).

The other thing that King's College Chapel is famous for is their choir, which has been singing at the chapel for almost six hundred years.  They sing at the 5:30 mass every day, and I'm trying to go check it out tonight.  It sounds like it is going to be incredible, and the choir is leaving to go visit Beijing for a bit, so I really want to go see it before they go.

After the chapel, we walked along the River Cam, which is the river that runs through the city of Cambridge and through King's College.  It's really beautiful, and the weather yeaterday was perfect for a walk.

There are lots of really cool foot bridges that cross the river at regular intervals, and each one is a little different from the others.  The people on the gondola-type boats are called punters, and Cambridge is famous for them.  King's College has several punts that students can take out on the river, but lots of tourists go on punting tours, where a punting guide will take them out and steer the boat for them (it looks kind of difficult to me).

Most of the punting guides are local guys, many of whom are quite ripped from their punting exertions and who take their shirts off when it's sunny, so needless to say, we stood on the bridge for a while, talking and enjoying the, um, view.

I had classes around 3:30, so we had lunch in the Great Hall, and then headed into town to walk around a bit before we had to go to the Cambridge Union Society (the building where classes are held).  I passed a certain restaurant on my way there, and I couldn't help but take a picture.  This one is for you, HCrown:

After classes, we had our first Formal Hall, which is a formal dinner that all students attend.  You have to dress up, and you go to one of the halls for a three course meal with the fellows of the university.  Beforehand, though, they serve drinks on the lawn to give everyone a chance to sort of mingle around and meet people... and, naturally, take a million pictures.

The dinner was very good, and we actually sat with a few students who attend Cambridge during the year, so it was really great to talk to them about their college experience (which is very different from the American one).  We weren't allowed to take photos inside the hall until coffee was served at the end of the meal, so I don't really have any photos of the place settings or the long tables, but it was really pretty neat.  There were a million forks and spoons, but in Titanic, Kathy Bates says "Just start on the outside an work your way in," so I managed.  Everything I ever needed to know I learned from Titanic.

After dinner, we went to The Bath House, which is a pub near King's.  We decided to try Pimm's, which is a very British drink... it's kind of an iced tea concoction with fresh fruit and stuff in it.  It's more of a day drink than a night drink, but we really wanted to try it, and it was great.

We also went to this club called Fez, but I don't even want to talk about it.  Worst three pounds I ever spent.  End of story.  Well, I don't know what time it is in Cali, but it's about 15:00 here, which means I have to go back to class soon.  I've already had three hours today, and I still have an hour and a half to go!  It's honestly not that much, but I still haven't completely shaken off the jet lag yet, so I just get tired easily.  But I have lots of good stuff coming up in the next few days, though (like Edinburgh!!!), so I'm sure I'll be posting again quite soon.... until then, cheers!!!

P.S.  Still no sign of Dumbledore, but I haven't given up hope just yet...