Anyway, Justin took us punting on a little river/canal that goes through the middle of many of the um, 36 or so colleges in Cambridge. It was beautiful and fun. I should tell you what Punting is (I sure didn't know) it's like taking a gondola but the boats are a bit smaller and less fancy. I tried punting but it's harder than it looks. Well, actually, it looks hard. You stand on the stern of the boat (higher than your guests who are sitting in the boat like a canoe). You have a long rod (aluminum for beginners due to weight and wood for veterans). You push the rod against the bottom of the canal then steer the boat with the rod: rudder-like. Then there are tricks, you need to do a good push just before going under a bridge because the bridges are so low that if you try to pull the rod up too high out of the water you will hit it under the bridge. Plus, you have to remember to crouch! Also, sometimes, the rod sticks in the muck at the bottom. You're supposed to let go so that you don't get pulled in. I went in slow-motion so when it stuck I just twisted and it came loose. But when Evgueni did it, we were going fast (and more zigzaggy than me -again, see my "slow") so when it stuck for him it really stuck. We had to use our emergency paddle to go back and get the rod that was sticking out of the water oddly and in desperate want to be freed. :)
That night we went for dinner at the special Queen's College Formal Hall. It was so beautiful and colourful! The menu was: Aperitifs, (+BYOB: white and red wine) Duck and Liver Mousse with Rocket Salad and Melba toast (the real way), sirloin steak, herbed diced potatoes and Provencal vegetables (I think the lady sensed my vibe and served me extra veggies to boot!) Yay! Dessert was a Raspberry Creme Brulee, port and fairtrade coffee (something like "conflict-free" diamonds.... but not as severe).
They're big into "fairtrade foods". I'll find out more details on this soon. There was a vegetarian menu, but I don't know what it was other than the appetizer (salad of bocconcini and tomato). It looked just as nice. Anyway, because Justin is a senior and head student representative of his college, he said the opening grace and gave a warm welcome. He was also granted nice perks (this part was because he's very friendly and is well liked): extra steak, second dessert and a decanter full of extra port. Much to the chagrin of all of us (alcohol abuse all around)! We then proceeded to the campus bar for double baileys. Then to Justin's room for Champagne to celebrate Evgueni's acceptance into INSEAD. I'm not sure how we made it back to the "hotel" which was actually an unused student dorm. Very nice with a funny Egyptian theme. Interesting! But great! The next 2 days we toured London. And today I'm in Paris.
I must say, I liked London, but found it rather random and somewhat chaotic (except the Tube. That was great!). I never felt the impact of architecture and city planning in one place like I did there. its so random, there is no zoning and no rhyme or reason to buildings. Industrial with commercial, commercial and transportation integrated with residential, residential in the entertainment district and well, no seeming organization to the road systems, the crowds etc and then mix that with the unnatural direction of traffic, it's just weird. I started to get used to where and when to walk (ie crossing the street) just in time to leave - I found a good way to ease into it by walking on the left side of the street where instinct is able to reverse totally and I could better anticipate where the next car could pop-up... That's how it all felt. None the less, there were many lovely and wonderful things to see and experience.
Oh, and the fashion was so VERY random! Lots of punky stuff, with a mix of brit UK trend that we've seen in north America and also some styles that are about 25 years old or that look like they're influenced from Ireland (from movies I've seen). Less money is spend on wardrobe in London than Paris (I think - well, from appearance, I certainly hope so!) Anyway, you can wear some grubby stuff to the theatre and not stand out at all. Oh, if you change the "$" sign to pounds, the price is the same, but of course pounds are about double the cost, so that could explain the reason for the fashion). I also found a dental hygiene article in the paper stating that British lack interest... and thought this was funny based on the stereotypes I've heard. (Dr. Erlich would have liked it - or not!) I've heard things about the mouths of Brits and by the looks of this article, it may be true. I can't say I really noticed their teeth.
On Tuesday evening Evgueni and I went to see Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theatre. It was beautiful. These dancers bring traditional ballet and mix it with modern dance. They wear minimal clothing which is amazing - not so much in the 'ooohhh sexy' way, but rather, because you can actually count every muscle. Wow! They even went bare foot for the second half. Crazy!
Last night as we returned to Paris, it felt like I was coming home after being in London. Despite the language barrier, it feels more structured and comfortable here. Granted, I was only in London for 2 days, which is definitely not a fair chance! London was like NYC but with major history and slightly more orderly traffic despite the wrong directions. Biggest oddity: driving is reversed but in the "tube" on the escalators, it's still walk left, stand right. Bizarre indeed!!
Oh and PS! It's sunny and beautiful in Paris and I'm loving just being here.
:) v.happy!
