Rest and relaxation

After a thrilling week and a half in Edinburgh and Amsterdam (Dec 3-12), I stopped briefly back in Cambridge on December 12th, packed my bags and then headed for home the next morning. I've spent the past few weeks relaxing at home -- playing basketball and videogames with Sean, watching movies with Dan, hanging out with friends -- and the realization that I need to start preparing to head back is only setting in now. I leave a week from tomorrow and though I'm less eager to return overseas than I was during my year in France, I'm still looking forward to seeing Cambridge again.

I'm going to try to catch up on pictures now. First up are some shots of Cambridge from late October (I know, I'm a bit behind).

The first glimpse of Kings College and its Chapel.



Looking west from Kings Parade onto Kings' front lawn.



The imposing Kings College Chapel peeks out over the front walls.



The Chapel appears even more daunting from inside the walls.



Note how many languages the 'please keep off the grass' admonition is written in.



Kings College abuts the River Cam, and here's a shot of the view north.



The weather was still warm enough for lots of punts...



... and cows! Back in October, there were still some grazing... but I think the bovines are now probably sheltering for winter.



The view of Kings' Chapel and another building from the famous 'Backs.'



A very popular wine shop across from Kings (and very close to Catz, too). Students always receive a 5% discount, but you can opt for double or nothing by correctly answering a Trivial Pursuit card. Fun!



The stupendous Fitzbillies sweets shop on Trumpington Street, just a hundred yards south of Catz. They sell absolutely delectable "Chelsea buns" -- fantastically sticky cinnamon rolls embedded with raisins. I'm sure there are a few thousand calories in each one, so I try to restrict myself to one a month.



My main academic faculty is down this street... as is Dojo, a delicious noodle shop.



The main gate to my college, St Catharines! (Maintenance removes the leaves from the lawn early each morning; I must've taken this picture just before they arrived.)



There are three principal areas inside the college. Here's the smallest and quaintest, Sherlock Court.



The largest area, Main Court, where I was once gently chided for posing for a picture -- while holding a champagne glass.