Of Tea and Wanderings

   I can't believe we've only been gone for five days, it feels like so much longer. We've had a lovely time, but we can't wait to settle into Tyndale house next week. Until then I'll be visiting Oxford & the Cotswolds! (More on that tomorrow.)

   As far as these last two days are concerned, they have been filled with exploring Cambridge, resting, & drinking tea. Here are some random snapshots of Cambridge life.

We had tea (super) at Auntie's Tea Shop yesterday, which was delightful. 

We loved Auntie's last time we were here, so we were excited to go back!

Dad got a traditional English breakfast. This is about as British as it gets folks. 

A Traditional English Breakfast consists of:

• Toast
• Fried eggs
• British sausage 
• Grilled tomatoes 
• Baked beans
• Rashers (British bacon)
• Hashbrown squares 
• Various jams and butters

You might also have:

• Mushrooms
• Crumpets

And of course it always includes the extremely important:

• Tea

Lovely little flats (apartments). If our ivy did this I'd sure be happy. 

The whole city is made up of these lovely old buildings.

Bright flowers! 

I went for a walk yesterday in the park that is literally behind our hotel. And there's this big, beautiful, old building off to the side. 

Street view! Very narrow sidewalks & lots of old buildings.

My first bubble tea.

   I went out to the market by myself today (I feel so grown up) & had the best time. I just wandered around, browsing all the jewelry, scarves, cheese, purses, smoothies, & veg. The church bells were ringing, delicious smells floated around, & buskers (street performers) played lively music. I bought a beautiful blue floral scarf & my first bubble tea! I've been wanting to try bubble tea for a while and I really liked it. 

   What I enjoyed most was simply having the freedom to go where I wanted, when I wanted! And walking is so good for you, it gives you extra incentive to shop (like I need it)! =D

We're here!

We're in England! 

Having lunch in the Cambridge market!
Photo Credit: Dad

   So much to tell. Get ready, because I'm going to attempt to cover two days in one post. Here we go!

   On the 10th (three days ago) we had our long flight from Chicago to London. It was about seven and a half hours & I tried to pass the time with movies, drawing, games, etcetera, but it still felt extremely long. We were so glad when we finally saw London's lights! We landed at 10:30 PM London time, but there is a six hour time difference so our bodies technically thought it was 4:30 PM. We were afraid we would have a hard time falling asleep, but we were so tired from lack of sleep & traveling that when we finally lay down (1:30 AM London time) we fell asleep within 10 minutes! We are so thankful. 

   Yesterday we woke up refreshed & had a lovely British breakfast in the hotel. I had tea as it seemed only appropriate. Later we were picked up & driven to Cambridge, which was about a two hour drive. We got all of our stuff put in the hotel room (can't wait till we have a permanent place to put our bags) & went out to explore Cambridge for the afternoon!  

   It was the most wonderful three hours! We estimate that we walked about two & a half miles (although I think it was farther). But this is just normal, you walk everywhere. We're going to get so fit. =)

   This is Cambridge. You have contemporary department stores on the right & 500 year old cathedrals on the left. 

Photo Credit: Dad

   It was about 68 degrees, perfect in the sun, a bit chilly in the shade! Sweaters are my friends. =)

   This is a tiny snapshot of the Cambridge market. (The first picture in this post was also taken there.) I literally wanted to buy everything. There were accessories, homemade soaps, fresh vegetables, The Cheese and Pie Man, leather notebooks, frozen fruit smoothies, fabric, dried sausage, crepes, & ever so much more! It was bliss. And it wasn't even the big market day, which is on Sundays. 

   The market is the first place I've recognized from my previous trip back in 2005. That was fun!

   After that we went to The Lions Gate mall, which is a huge mall full of the most amazing stores . . .  all within walking distance of our hotel. Oh dear. When shopping in the US I was going crazy because I found almost nothing I liked. Now I'm here & they have everything that I've been looking for! I wish I hadn't brought as many clothes so I could have an excuse to buy a ton here. Ah well, I'll see what I can do. =)

   It was a wonderful day full of people watching & people listening. It's just so fun to hear them speak in a British accent! But what's really struck me is the diversity of the people. There are so many people from so many different nationalities. So we don't stick out like sore thumbs till we speak. =) Hopefully

I'll pick up a slight accent over the next few months. 

   As much as I love my parents, being with them solidly for three days has gotten hard for all of us. I can't wait till next week when we move into our flat and start our new routine of life. I'll have my own little room (Yay!) and will hopefully start building some other relationships. Because as much fun as I've had over the last three days, I'm a bit lonesome. I'd say I'm a little homesick, but I'm really you-sick. That means I'm missing all of you! =) I sure enjoy hearing from you in the comments, on Facebook, and through email! 

   So here's a question to get everyone talking: What do you want to know about Cambridge? Ask in the comments and I'll reply!