Trip #1: Cambridge

My first official adventure outside of lovely Norwich was with a group of 50 other exchange students to historical Cambridge. The people at UEA in charge of the international students set up trips throughout the semester to various places around England and get really cheap rates -- this trip was only 15 pounds for everything!

We got to Norwich and were split up into three groups for the walking tour. It was pretty cold - apparently Cambridge is one of the coldest/dry-est places in England! Colin was feeling hard core and decided not to bring his coat, terrible move. The tour was two hours long and the entire thing was outside, needless to say he was bouncing around trying to stay warm the entire time.

Despite the cold, I really enjoyed the tour! Our guide was so nice and clearly really loved everything about Cambridge. He showed us around the main buildings of the University and other historical sites. One of my favorites was the Eagle Pub: it is where Crick and Watson announced their discovery of DNA.

Erica and I in front of the plaque about Watson & Crick's announcement

The pub is across the small street from the oldest church in Cambridge. When it was built it was a Catholic Church but is now currently a Saxon Church.

But what I thought was the best part of the pub was the back room.

Small History Lesson, courtesy of Roger, our tour guide:

During WWII the American airforce would fly during the day because they had "flying fortresses" that were thought to be able to withstand the enemy fire. The RAF would fly at night because their planes weren't as large/sturdy. Cambridge was a main base because it is easy to get in and out of so a lot of military men would spend time in the town, specifically at the pubs in town. The Eagle was one such pub.The Eagle is famous for housing the so-called RAF bar, named as such because the pub was popular during the Second World War with local RAF and American Army Air Corp personnel. It became custom for the pilots to burn their names, squadron numbers and messages to loved ones into the ceiling and walls of the pub using candles whilst standing on the shoulders of their fellow airmen... 

The Ceiling

Very cool, right!?

I also liked seeing the outside of a few of the Colleges there. The colleges are within Cambridge University and are kinda a mix between dorms/societies. Everyone gets their degree from the University, but it seems as though the College you are in really defines what your time at Cambridge will be like. Our tour guide was a member of Trinity College. 

The entrance to Trinity College

Established by Henry VIII (that's the fat guy in the middle) Trinity College historically is one of the richest colleges because it was funded by the King. The blank shield is for his youngest son who died before he could receive his coat of arms. You can't enter the Colleges unless you are a member or if you pay. Can you imagine people paying to see your dorm? Crazy. 

After the tour we got to explore Cambridge on our own for a bit so we immediately went inside and had a nice, warm lunch and took in all the knowledge with a nice, cold drink.

Hope you enjoyed the history lesson!

Cheers.

All the Small Things

Here are a series of things I have learned/noticed in Norwich thus far:

Part of UEA's pretty, sunny campus! Those weird looking buildings are dorms, they were made in the 60s and considered historical so they can't be changed at all. They add some character, no?

The markets in downtown Norwich... they have literally anything and everything you could think of. Lots of clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. As well as all types of food stands, dead fish, alive fish, cheese and the works. We got lunch there for only one pound! The only cheap thing in England. 

My chinese flatmate gave me an early Chinese New Years gift today. He doesn't really speak much English so I'm not entirely sure what the meaning behind the gifts are. I did manage to (I think) understand that the little charm on the left is "popular" in Shanghai so if I make it there at least I'll fit in. This made me forgive him a little bit for watching cartoons and laughing so loudly I can hear him through the wall... at 3 in the morning.

Instead of people saying "how are you?" when they see each other they you "You aright?" If you respond "Good, how are you?" out of habit, they'll look at you funny.

Aluminum is pronounced Al (like in Aladdin) - oo (like oohlala) - min - e - um. And commercials are called "adverts" and "chav" is white trash. This taught me that it is slightly accurate when red necks say "Speak American!" because it truly is different.

Table football is considered a sport and has a club team.

Dogs are more sophisticated and don't need leashes. They don't even run after you if you run by them!

Norwich still has the old Roman wall that went around the city - Erica, Myself and Liz are just helping it stand for a little longer!

Little hot pocket sandwich things are called "pasties" and are especially delicious with "chips." Liz, Colin and I enjoying an English meal! And Colin looking quite posh drinking his tea.

That's all I can think of for now! 

Cheers.

Clubs, Classes and the Chinese

Now people might think I'm kidding, but I was very serious when I said I was going "clubbin." The names of the clubs here give you fair warning that you're basically walking into a scummy place, but they are fun nonetheless. One particularly popular one in town is called "Mercy" with a woman swinging on a pole as part of the sign.. I have yet to have the pleasure of going there but I'm definitely looking forward to it. The only one I've been to as of yet is on the UEA campus and it is called the LCR. It is crowded and hot but the place to be. When a particularly ragin' song comes on instead of grinding the students here "mosh" which is just jumping up and down and side to side into each other. It looks dangerous, and it is. Personal space is not valued.

I had my first class today! Creative Writing. I'm with all third years which was a little intimidating because they are all planning their first novels or consider themselves "artists." One guy in my class has actually published some of his short fiction. I, on the other hand, certainly do not consider myself an accomplished writer and do not forsee any movies being made of my fabulous stories so I feel a little over my head. Nevertheless, my professor was very nice as were the students in my class so I'm looking forward to the course. She also didn't know I was an American at first! So my Chicaaaaago accent must not be too harsh.

Not everyone may know this, but freshman year I took the chance of getting a random roommate. I had visions of meeting my best friend and partner in crime. Alas, that did not happen and I was placed with a girl directly from Korea. She was very nice, but not the companion I was hoping for. It seems as though I go where the Asians go, or possibly vis versa, because the first flatmate I met was a foreign exchange student from China. Apparently UEA has the most Chinese foreign exchange students in the whole UK! Lucky me...? She seemed very nice and I actually have another Chinese flatmate who the other flatmates just call "Chinese guy" because they still don't know his name (he was there all last semester...). The rest of my flatmates are all Brits and very nice.

Cheers.

The Troubled Traveler

5 airports : I was originally supposed to go from Chicago to Dulles to Amsterdam to Norwich. Ended up having to put Frankfurt in there for some added cultural experiences.
4 strangers: 2 Cowboys, 1 Military Man and 1 Asian Child. (And some random other stranded abroad students in between) The two cowboys were in Chicago going to Dulles to catch a connecting flight to Rome. What would cowboys do in Rome, you may ask? Well, despite the boots, hats and grey stylish beards, I believe that they would have looked like naturals drinking fine Italian wine with the Mc-a-D's they were chowing down on. Classy Cowboys. The guy in the military sat next to me on the plane to Frankfurt. He was a talker and oddly friendly. Offered to let me sleep on his shoulder - thanks, but no thanks. Most likely he felt bad for me because I told him my delayed saga of the first part of the trip... he went to culinary school and worked in mass production for Whole Foods for a while until he realized he could be doing something better with his time, so he signed himself up. He's originally an Ohio country boy and had never left the country before but was going to be in Germany for three years and spend the summers in Afghanistan. So he's going to cook in Germany and then be the normal infantry in Afghanistan. The Asian Child sounds weird, and he was. I was sitting close to the entrance of the bathroom charging my computer and using the free internet in Amsterdam when he ran out and then up to me. Where were his parents? No idea. He definitely had some built up energy because he was making all sorts of noises and running around back and forth in front of me. We exchanged a high five after a he tripped over his own shoes but got up valiantly and then he ran away. Not exciting, but made me smile.
3 delays : Plane leaving Chicago was delayed two hours, making me miss my connecting flight in Dulles. New plane leaving Dulles was delayed almost two hours (thanks, de-icing team) missing my next connecting flight. Frankfurt to Amsterdam was only slightly delayed so thankfully I didn't miss anything. Sitting next to noisy Italians was quite an experience though...
2 tears : I never cry. Nevertheless, being alone in airports is apparently my weakness. The first time was just some watery eyes in Dulles when I ran to my gate and found the plane to have already left. That was cleared up once I made my new reservation. Then came missing my connecting flight to Amsterdam in Frankfurt. I walked over to a gate area that was relatively empty, set down my bags and let the tears all out -- no shame.
1 bag : Ah, after all the messiness of new flights, delays, etc. what I really needed was one more set-back and lucky me, I got it! When I arrived in Amsterdam I went to the baggage claim to pick up my bag to transfer it to be in Delta's system to Norwich. But alas, I was left waiting there with those two noisy Italians who were equally as disappointed in our bad luck. Shuffled over to the lost baggage room and made up the report, the Germans let me down yet again and had failed to put the bag on my flight.
O regret: Yeh, this is a cheesy number. But I'm loving my time here! Despite the setbacks, I am really enjoying myself. I met a few friends at the international student's orientation and I've started to settle in. We've explored the campus and the surrounding city and have enjoyed a Strongbow at the Pub. Tomorrow we're going out with a few UEA students to party at the club on campus - the LCR. Should be ragin'. The campus is much prettier than UofI and I'm looking forward to running around the lakes and parks here.

Cheers.

Study Abroad

I am going to be at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich (pronounced "Norrich"), England. Between travels and exploring, I will be taking three courses: History and the Environment, Discourse and Power and Creative Writing. Hopefully I won't be talking about them much because I'll be doing much more exciting things.

My adventure begins January 12th!

Cheers.