"The Other Place"
Yesterday morning, we set out for parts unknown - Cambridge! This is a twice-yearly occasion when the YSAs from Cambridge and Oxford get together. November is the weekend for Cambridge to play host. Oxford refers to Cambridge as "The Other Place."
SK maneuvered the car magnificently through about a hundred roundabouts as well as all of the little two lane highways. He is definitely getting more comfortable behind the wheel. But there is a certain amount of bumbling that we just have to expect. If you miss a turn, it can sometimes cost you a half hour or more before you get on course again.
We reached Cambridge around noon, and helped get lunch on for the group of YSAs who began trickling in around 1. The Calls, the couple who serve in Cambridge had done a magnificent job of planning and preparing everything were gracious hosts.
Their apartment is a beautiful little flat nestled among others and overgrown with tall trees, vines and flowers. It has gray board floors, white-washed window frames, a view of lush vegetation from every window, and a garage! It has more storage room than any flat we've seen. It is truly a little gem. But if you have any problems with stairs, you would not get along with that flat at all. It has three levels. The basement has a lovely large kitchen with everything you could possibly need, and a large room with two long tables, where you could serve a meal to 20 with ease.
The main level is the living room, formal dining room and little office. The top level has a bathroom and two small bedrooms that look like they are from a Jane Austen Book. Each level is separated from the others with tiny steep and winding staircases that just look like they are itching to break someone's neck.
In order to cook anything, groceries must be carried down one of those staircases, and luggage has to be taken up the other. If it weren't for those stairs, that little apartment would be the perfect place! Ah well.....I loved it when one of our YSAs whispered, "I like our apartment better!" I love those young people.
After lunch had been served, the Cambridge young adults took the Oxford people on a walking tour. Cambridge is beautiful. Elder Call took SK and me on a mini and slower walking tour. We walked through the business district, which was awesome, and then a huge open market with a whole bunch of little booth/tents that were all so tempting. We ended up at King's College campus, and had a few minutes to go inside the chapel. It was mind-boggling. It was begun in 1441 and under a series of kings was eventually finished about 100 years later. The 80 feet high ceilings inside the chapel have "fan vaulting" - considered the noblest stone ceiling in existence. It took only 3 years to complete by master stone masons.
King's College is widely thought of as the image best representing Cambridge. I can see why.
We went to the church for dinner - which Sister Call had prepared - and then had a full evening planned, including a session taught by a professor - a visiting fellow from William and Mary College in America. He led a discussion on faith, and it was inspiring.
This morning I manned the griddle and made pancakes while Sister Call cooked the so-called breakfast sausage, and Elder Call cooked the eggs, onions and peppers. The young people loved it. Once again we walked over to King's College for a special Remembrance Service, honoring all those who have died in the service of their country. It is the second Catholic service we have attended since we arrived in England.
There is a lot of ritual, a lot of music from a boy's choir (absolutely beautiful), a lot of readings and then at the last a sermon about the theme of the day - remembering. SK complimented the Reverend on the way out, and he responded by asking about our large group of "Latter-day Saints." Our badges not only give us away, but they gain admission to churches since we are considered "clergy." There were four young missionaries with badges on, as well as our YSAs and us.
Our time in Cambridge ended with attending church in Cambridge. I truly enjoyed the Catholic service, but so loved being able to partake of the sacrament administered by young men and hearing heartfelt testimony born by the Bishop. There is a certain amount of ritual in our church, but I feel the sweet spirit and the conviction of faith in Jesus Christ are nearly always in abundance as sacred ordinances are administered.
Elder Call said that Cambridge is proud of being the place where atheism started. I am not sure that is on record, but it seems to be common knowledge here, since the college of theology is reportedly manned entirely by atheists who study theology as you would study an insect under a microscope.
It took us 3 hours to get home, mainly because for the last half hour we were bumbling around Oxford and seeing parts of it we have never been in. The GPS took us down a narrow lane that ended in a permanent roadblock. It took us a long time to find our way home, even with the help of the GPS. I don't know what we would do without it.....probably be hopelessly lost most of the time!
SK maneuvered the car magnificently through about a hundred roundabouts as well as all of the little two lane highways. He is definitely getting more comfortable behind the wheel. But there is a certain amount of bumbling that we just have to expect. If you miss a turn, it can sometimes cost you a half hour or more before you get on course again.
We reached Cambridge around noon, and helped get lunch on for the group of YSAs who began trickling in around 1. The Calls, the couple who serve in Cambridge had done a magnificent job of planning and preparing everything were gracious hosts.
Their apartment is a beautiful little flat nestled among others and overgrown with tall trees, vines and flowers. It has gray board floors, white-washed window frames, a view of lush vegetation from every window, and a garage! It has more storage room than any flat we've seen. It is truly a little gem. But if you have any problems with stairs, you would not get along with that flat at all. It has three levels. The basement has a lovely large kitchen with everything you could possibly need, and a large room with two long tables, where you could serve a meal to 20 with ease.
The main level is the living room, formal dining room and little office. The top level has a bathroom and two small bedrooms that look like they are from a Jane Austen Book. Each level is separated from the others with tiny steep and winding staircases that just look like they are itching to break someone's neck.
In order to cook anything, groceries must be carried down one of those staircases, and luggage has to be taken up the other. If it weren't for those stairs, that little apartment would be the perfect place! Ah well.....I loved it when one of our YSAs whispered, "I like our apartment better!" I love those young people.
After lunch had been served, the Cambridge young adults took the Oxford people on a walking tour. Cambridge is beautiful. Elder Call took SK and me on a mini and slower walking tour. We walked through the business district, which was awesome, and then a huge open market with a whole bunch of little booth/tents that were all so tempting. We ended up at King's College campus, and had a few minutes to go inside the chapel. It was mind-boggling. It was begun in 1441 and under a series of kings was eventually finished about 100 years later. The 80 feet high ceilings inside the chapel have "fan vaulting" - considered the noblest stone ceiling in existence. It took only 3 years to complete by master stone masons.
 |
| As we were out walking with Elder Call, we happened upon these wonderful young people who have covered considerably much territory. |
King's College is widely thought of as the image best representing Cambridge. I can see why.
We went to the church for dinner - which Sister Call had prepared - and then had a full evening planned, including a session taught by a professor - a visiting fellow from William and Mary College in America. He led a discussion on faith, and it was inspiring.
This morning I manned the griddle and made pancakes while Sister Call cooked the so-called breakfast sausage, and Elder Call cooked the eggs, onions and peppers. The young people loved it. Once again we walked over to King's College for a special Remembrance Service, honoring all those who have died in the service of their country. It is the second Catholic service we have attended since we arrived in England.
There is a lot of ritual, a lot of music from a boy's choir (absolutely beautiful), a lot of readings and then at the last a sermon about the theme of the day - remembering. SK complimented the Reverend on the way out, and he responded by asking about our large group of "Latter-day Saints." Our badges not only give us away, but they gain admission to churches since we are considered "clergy." There were four young missionaries with badges on, as well as our YSAs and us.
Our time in Cambridge ended with attending church in Cambridge. I truly enjoyed the Catholic service, but so loved being able to partake of the sacrament administered by young men and hearing heartfelt testimony born by the Bishop. There is a certain amount of ritual in our church, but I feel the sweet spirit and the conviction of faith in Jesus Christ are nearly always in abundance as sacred ordinances are administered.
Elder Call said that Cambridge is proud of being the place where atheism started. I am not sure that is on record, but it seems to be common knowledge here, since the college of theology is reportedly manned entirely by atheists who study theology as you would study an insect under a microscope.
It took us 3 hours to get home, mainly because for the last half hour we were bumbling around Oxford and seeing parts of it we have never been in. The GPS took us down a narrow lane that ended in a permanent roadblock. It took us a long time to find our way home, even with the help of the GPS. I don't know what we would do without it.....probably be hopelessly lost most of the time!
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