Cambridge

We have been told on several occasions that, much like Auburn and Alabama, one must choose between Oxford and Cambridge.

It was not a difficult decision.

Perhaps it was because we arrived on the first truly frigid day of the year.

Perhaps it was because there was traffic ev.er.y.where.  

 But perhaps it’s just because Oxford is just a little bit more.

More old.
More elaborate.
More historical.
More enchanting.
Just…..more.

So I guess we’re Oxford people.

That being said, Cambridge is also pretty awesome.

Here’s some interesting background on the school.  

- Cambridge is the number 1 university in the UK

- It produces more PhDs than any other British university

- They win more British grants and contracts than any other university

- It is the second oldest university in both England and the English-speaking world and the seventh oldest university globally

- Affiliates of the University have won more Nobel Prizes than those of any other institution in the world (total of 88)

This is the mathematical bridge

And this is the creepiest clock I’ve ever seen.  It is a locust- eating away time.  It’s very interesting and yet…icky.   

And it’s across the street from this:

A slightly different look, wouldn’t you say?

Here’s another view.

Here’s a shot of some of the town.

A shot of the Kings College chapel.

its a little old.

When walking around Cambridge you will, most likely, have at least one 20something year old walk up to you and ask if you would like to go punting.  They are neither being fresh nor referring to something involving a football.  They are actually asking if you’d like to take a boat tour (see photo above).  You can take a tour around the backsides of the colleges on one of these cute little boats.  They are steered with long poles.  

I just loved the fence surrounding this college.

If you are ever traveling to Cambridge, I’d recommend downloading one of these walking tours.  It really enhances the experience when you know what you’re looking at.  The added bonus is that you can download it onto your Ipod if you’d like.  Sure beats those ugly phone things people carry around at museums! The downloads can be found here: http://www.visitcambridge.org/TicketServer/SelfGuided.aspx?p=18&pid=825&prcid=4&ppid=825