Cambridge Photos 3

Cambridge Photos 2

Cambridge Photos 1

Cambridge Excusion

On the 9^th of October I visited Cambridge. Of course Cambridge is known for their magnificent university, which they gained in the year 1209. A common misconception of Cambridge is that the university is centrally located on one large campus. The university is actually comprised of many different colleges that are located all through out the city. So for the appreciative traveler seeing all of the university is quite a challenge. Also due to the great distance between colleges, bicycle is the main method of travel in Cambridge. The Cambridge University Press was founded by a royal charter granted by King Henry VIII in 1534 and is the oldest printer and publisher in the world. Walking the streets it is easy to loose one’s self in daydreams of academic life at Cambridge. How grand it would be to count yourself among those who had studied in these halls. To live in a city so closely tied to it’s ancient roots and intellectual pulse. The buildings of Cambridge are monuments established in the name of knowledge. The epistemological landscape gives rise to romantic reveries and leaves the transcendentalist humming with sublimity. I came upon the Great St. Mary’s Church. I paid my fee, passed the turnstile and ascended the stone tower. Atop my castle perch I could see in all directions and was privy to quite a sight. All around me rose intransigent steeples; towering over the affairs of the wanderers below. I could see crudely coloured tents in the marketplace of transgression where hundreds of years ago a fool was crowned king for the day. Somewhere in the distance over loudspeakers could be heard Jean Valjean singing Bring Him Home. Lost in my own thoughts of the past I quit that great tower. Across the square stood the ominous King’s College Chapel, helplessly I entered the looming gates. Inside was a sight lost in translation. The vaulting Gothic ceiling immediately drew one's eyes toward heaven and thoughts of subservience. The organ music accented the colourful reflections in my peripheral from the stained glass as I walked the great aisle. I approached a huge canvas with a pudgy white depiction of the Christ. His shining head was peering skyward asking forgiveness for those whose hands distorted him so. Finally I was too overwhelmed to bare the turbulent meld of the sacred and profane within me so I left for the great lawn of untouchable grass. I was now lost in a labyrinthine complex of castle walls, lecture halls and gardens (of which traverse was strictly forbidden). I wondered until I came upon a sluggardly canal busy with leisurely punts. I refused to pay the exorbitant price asked of me by the fare-man and returned to face the labyrinth. Several hours later I returned to the bustle of the main square. Having all of the academia I could handle for the day, I resolved to search the halls of a museum for the remainder of my time. I spent two wonderful hours in the Fitzwilliam Museum but could have stayed for two more had my powers of perception not failed me. It was entirely too much to process in a single session. I was reflective while searching the wing of ancient archeology and imaginatively whisked away while viewing the salons of classic, romantic and impressionist art. I quickly strolled through the halls of modern art to avoid seizure and vertigo. Downstairs I saw brightly lit cases of china and silverware - the concrete realities of domesticity sobered me and I made for the exit. Outside the conventional smells of a modern city accosted my sense and I walked with hast to the point where I was to meet the coach and make my escape. As the bus crawled out of town I watched people walking their dogs and returning from work, I was again grounded and rested the whole way home.

Scarborough Photos Part II

Scarborough Photos Part I

Scarborough

On the 2^nd of October I visited Scarborough, which is about two and a half hours northeast of Lincoln by coach. The international office arranged the trip so I was traveling with fifty or so exchange students. We were blessed with fair weather that day and I was able to get some pretty nice photographs. Scarborough was originally established as a resort town for the English in the mid Nineteenth century. The life of the town revolved around the Grand Hotel, which has four imperial towers that loom high above the sea cliffs. Descending the cliffs to the boardwalk one is privy to a splendid view of colourful sailboats and the diving and rising of gulls. Meandering along the promenade you will find a wide selection of and trinket shops and stands selling fish and chips. The architecture is pleasing to the eye and holds a certain charm in its semi-dilapidated state. Now days Scarborough serves mainly as a retirement community and survives off its draw as a relic of old fashioned tourism. It’s fun to imagine the resort side as it once was, bustling with aristocratic life from all over Europe, trains rolling in daily full of English men and women eager to escape their daily routine. Scarborough has the look of a town that has seen better days – but for me that was half its appeal. The other half of was divided between the castle and seeing again the ocean. I had not seen the ocean since March and it was nice to again smell salt in the air. The castle grounds have various components, the oldest dating back to the time of Roman rule. It was used as a lookout point for seafaring attacks from the Rhineland and Lowland peoples. Henry II developed the main fortifications during the 12^th century. Atop the ramparts the whole town is visible and this is where I ended my day – watching the waves break on the shore.

Settling In

On the eve of October I am reflecting upon probably the most dramatic September passed thus far. Fifteen days into the journey and I am beginning to dial in to life here in Lincoln. Classes began on Monday. My schedule could not be more perfect for someone aspiring to explore the country. With Thursday and Friday off from the uni I should have plenty of time for quick sojourns in nearby locations. At the university I have three American Studies modules and a Gothic literature course. In addition to that workload I will be volunteering at the campus radio station several times a week throughout the fall semester. Hopefully if all goes to plan I should be heading up my own one-hour slot sometime around the Christmas season. The radio station wants it to take on the form of a travel journal – sort of the musings and perspectives of a student abroad. I am very fortunate and excited at the opportunity and look forward to the possibilities and potentials that will unfold. Before departing the States I set several personal goals for myself and am beginning to bring those into fruition. I am trying to read Franz Kafka’s entire canon - I just finished The Trial. I have recently become very interested in lucid dreaming and began my first dream journal last week. It has been an amazing help. I did not expect to have results so quickly, but the simple act of willing yourself to record immediately after waking makes all the difference. I would recommend it to anyone interested in knowing his or her dreams more intimately. I usually begin my day with a run up the hill and around the cathedral. I am not a particularly pious man but I have attended one service at the cathedral and was deeply moved by the beauty and strength of the organ and choir in such an archaic setting. I have yet to visit the castle but plan to very soon. Last weekend I was feeling very restless so I purchased a bike and rode into the countryside and to a nearby town called Hykeham. It took me several days of riding before I adjusted to riding on the left hand side of the road, but now my brain seems to have accepted it. Along with this short briefing I am posting several photographs of the cathedral district to give everyone a better idea of the surrounding environment. I hope you enjoy!

A Preamble...

A week ago at this time I was still in the States packing my belongings. Now, after many months of tedious planning and apprehensive anticipation, I find my self in merrie ole England. Lincoln to be exact! I've received two huge parcels containing a large portion of my personal belongings I shipped to myself before departing America. The realization is taking hold - this will be my home for the next year. I endeavored to create this blog because, despite all of our technology, staying in touch is difficult and in this case quite expensive. So here is my inexpensive solution. I will regularly update this page with pictures and writings from my experience. Please feel free to leave me a quick comment on the blog page or shoot me a proper email. I'll do my best to respond promptly. I hope everyone is well and I look forward to hearing from all of you. Cheers!