So I got back to Cambridge late at night (or early in the morning) two days ago. Props to Cambridge for looking so beautiful in the spring. Also, as an aside, I saw Ben Kingsley. They are filming a scene from an Indian movie at St John's (my college).
I believe the only item of note that I lost during the trip was my rain coat. I'll update the post if I notice anything else missing, but for now, I think that's pretty good.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Zurich
My stay coincided with a huge celebration. Everyone was dressed in traditional Swiss outfits and there was a huge parade where each of the 20 or so guilds marched with horses and wagons while handing out free food and wine. It was awesome.
The Party Train
My brother and I chose to take a train that arrived in Zurich just before 11pm. This would have been a completely normal train, but we went on a Saturday night.
A few stops in, a bunch of young south-Germans stumbled in carrying a case of beer and singing. They disbanded a few stops later, and only two remained, passed out on the floor of the train car. About two hours later, though, they were joined by about eight more people at the first stop in Switzerland. Apparently they knew each other, because a loud shout went up, and the singing resumed.
It actually reminded me of the LIRR (Long Island Railroad). All the white trash getting drunk on their way to NYC (sorry LI people).
A few stops in, a bunch of young south-Germans stumbled in carrying a case of beer and singing. They disbanded a few stops later, and only two remained, passed out on the floor of the train car. About two hours later, though, they were joined by about eight more people at the first stop in Switzerland. Apparently they knew each other, because a loud shout went up, and the singing resumed.
It actually reminded me of the LIRR (Long Island Railroad). All the white trash getting drunk on their way to NYC (sorry LI people).
Friday, April 17, 2009
Income
My brother made 5 Euro doing laundry today. I dropped a 2 Euro coin behind the washer, and my brother retrieved it, and a little bit extra.
Speaking auf Deutsch
I'm not running a particularly good track record speaking German. About half the time, the person I'm conversing with switches to English. Still, it's fun.
Recollection
What follows may be a rather dry account of the past week-and-a-half. I am currently on the train from Vienna to Munich and having finished reading "At Swim-Two-Birds," find myself with the option of either studying physics or procrastinating.
I arrived in Prague from Moscow via Munich in the evening, and found the apartment I was staying at with relative ease. On the bus from the airport, I struck up a conversation with three college-aged guys from North Carolina, two of whom were studying in Prague, the third of whom was studying in Copenhagen and visiting the other two.
The next day, two people of interest arrived in Prague: my brother, and Obama. My brother's arrival should have proceeded Obama's, but by nature of my brother's missing his connecting flight, their arrivals were temporally reversed. As a consequence of the 5-hour air travel black-out period over Prague due to Obama's arrival, I had to figure out what to do with myself in Prague sans my brother. By chance I chose to use the internet at a cafe where I met the three North Carolina guys from the day before, and spent the rest of the day sight-seeing with them. I failed to use the internet that day.
My brother arrived in Prague in the mid-afternoon, however his luggage arrived only in the early evening, and I expected him to arrive several hours later. He spent about an hour roaming the street around the apartment I was in, and it was very lucky that he appeared outside the door at the exact moment I set out to meet him at the airport.
Impression of Prague: generally favorable as a result of its being picturesque, easily traversable, and comfortably touristy.
We caught the train to Budapest via Bratislava in the morning several days later despite appearing at the train station several minutes before the train's departure at a different station. Afer finding our hostel, we ate a Hungarian meal and walked around the beautiful city.
Memories of Budapest: climbing to the Citadel (not necessarily worth it, and quite a hike). The trams. Cracking a beer stein. Almost getting caught in a church procession.
Non-memories of Budapest: ...just kidding.
The train ride to Vienna was considerably shorter and uneventful. We went early in the morning as a result of my misunderstanding that 7.10 on Easter Sunday meant 7.10 in the morning, but benefitted from a full extra day of exploring Vienna. After walking around Vienna and noting the agreeable size, beautiful layout, and concentration of musicians, my brother and I agreed that it was our favorite city of the three.
That night, we arranged to meet with a friend of ours who played in a piano trio with us. Before leaving, I went down to the hostel bar, where I met another person (a girl this time) from North Carolina (they're everywhere!) and another girl from Canada. Afterwards, we set out for the "Bermuda Triangle," a neighborhood in Vienna so named for its tendency to trap people with its plethora of pubs. After our friend joined us, we spent a few minutes catching up and the rest of the night meeting friendly Germans and failing to meet not-so-friendly Austrians.
The highlight of the next day was going to a Heurigen on the outskirts of Vienna. To the surprise of the wait-staff, my brother devoured two schnitzels, and we both enjoyed "new" wine--wine made by the Heurigen itself.
Viennese experience checklist:
Heurigen. Check.
Opera. Check
Real Sacher Torte: Check.
Chill at a cafe: Check.
Hear Vienna Philaharmonic. Fail.
I arrived in Prague from Moscow via Munich in the evening, and found the apartment I was staying at with relative ease. On the bus from the airport, I struck up a conversation with three college-aged guys from North Carolina, two of whom were studying in Prague, the third of whom was studying in Copenhagen and visiting the other two.
The next day, two people of interest arrived in Prague: my brother, and Obama. My brother's arrival should have proceeded Obama's, but by nature of my brother's missing his connecting flight, their arrivals were temporally reversed. As a consequence of the 5-hour air travel black-out period over Prague due to Obama's arrival, I had to figure out what to do with myself in Prague sans my brother. By chance I chose to use the internet at a cafe where I met the three North Carolina guys from the day before, and spent the rest of the day sight-seeing with them. I failed to use the internet that day.
My brother arrived in Prague in the mid-afternoon, however his luggage arrived only in the early evening, and I expected him to arrive several hours later. He spent about an hour roaming the street around the apartment I was in, and it was very lucky that he appeared outside the door at the exact moment I set out to meet him at the airport.
Impression of Prague: generally favorable as a result of its being picturesque, easily traversable, and comfortably touristy.
We caught the train to Budapest via Bratislava in the morning several days later despite appearing at the train station several minutes before the train's departure at a different station. Afer finding our hostel, we ate a Hungarian meal and walked around the beautiful city.
Memories of Budapest: climbing to the Citadel (not necessarily worth it, and quite a hike). The trams. Cracking a beer stein. Almost getting caught in a church procession.
Non-memories of Budapest: ...just kidding.
The train ride to Vienna was considerably shorter and uneventful. We went early in the morning as a result of my misunderstanding that 7.10 on Easter Sunday meant 7.10 in the morning, but benefitted from a full extra day of exploring Vienna. After walking around Vienna and noting the agreeable size, beautiful layout, and concentration of musicians, my brother and I agreed that it was our favorite city of the three.
That night, we arranged to meet with a friend of ours who played in a piano trio with us. Before leaving, I went down to the hostel bar, where I met another person (a girl this time) from North Carolina (they're everywhere!) and another girl from Canada. Afterwards, we set out for the "Bermuda Triangle," a neighborhood in Vienna so named for its tendency to trap people with its plethora of pubs. After our friend joined us, we spent a few minutes catching up and the rest of the night meeting friendly Germans and failing to meet not-so-friendly Austrians.
The highlight of the next day was going to a Heurigen on the outskirts of Vienna. To the surprise of the wait-staff, my brother devoured two schnitzels, and we both enjoyed "new" wine--wine made by the Heurigen itself.
Viennese experience checklist:
Heurigen. Check.
Opera. Check
Real Sacher Torte: Check.
Chill at a cafe: Check.
Hear Vienna Philaharmonic. Fail.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Schloss Schoenbrunn in Vienna
There was a garden maze. It was awesome. I beat my brother to the end.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Movies in Prague
My brother bought popcorn at the movies last night in Prague.
"With salt, or ham and cheese?" they asked him.
"With salt, or ham and cheese?" they asked him.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It's a flag... it's a mast... no... it's Peter the Great!
...Or at least one of the largest, ugliest monuments I saw walking around Moscow. It's a gigantic statue of Peter the Great holding onto the huge mast of a ship that's smaller than Peter's leg. And I think he's holding a bottle of champagne in his hand. Classy.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dostoevsky
Inspired by my trip here, I picked up "Crime and Punishment" at a bookstore. It is some of the most depressing writing I have ever read. I'm up to chapter 3.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Highlights from the Russian Museum
The art in St Petersburg is mainly divided between two galleries: the Russian Museum for Russian art, and the Hermitage for everything else. Russian art is very different in its early and later periods. The collection of early art in the Russian Museum consisted mainly of Orthodox Christian icons. It was really interesting to see their depiction of God as a young angel (usually with golden curly hair) and the frequent portrayal of the "old testament trinity" (which I looked up later: the word, the wisdom, and the spirit). Then there was a period where Russian artists just copied Western Europe. And then in the 20th century things diverged again (I especially liked Vrubel).
And the above paragraph is why I should keep all of my thoughts short. So short thoughts:
I enjoyed Nicolas Francois Gillet's (1709-1791) plaster sculpture titled "Painting." I thought that was very ironic.
19th Century Aivasovsky painted some of the best maritime scenes I've ever seen. Two paintings in particular stood out: "The Wave" and "The Ninth Wave." They stood next to each other, though, and there seemed to be something lacking. Maybe seven other paintings?
Ivanov liked painting naked boys too much. Otherwise he was a good painter.
And the above paragraph is why I should keep all of my thoughts short. So short thoughts:
I enjoyed Nicolas Francois Gillet's (1709-1791) plaster sculpture titled "Painting." I thought that was very ironic.
19th Century Aivasovsky painted some of the best maritime scenes I've ever seen. Two paintings in particular stood out: "The Wave" and "The Ninth Wave." They stood next to each other, though, and there seemed to be something lacking. Maybe seven other paintings?
Ivanov liked painting naked boys too much. Otherwise he was a good painter.
Backstage at the Mariinsky
My host took me backstage at the Mariinsky opera house in St Petersburg. It was really cool.
I'll post pictures when I get a chance.
I'll post pictures when I get a chance.
Public Transportation in St Petersburg
I'd like to explain how the buses in St Petersburg work. Unfortunately, I haven't figured it out myself, so I can't do that.
However, today I took one of the sketchy vans with numbers on the sides that serve as buses (the "real" buses are more limited and move slower). By myself. I was so proud. Basically, the vans drive around their respective routes, and you wave them down when you see them. Then you get on and while they're driving, you pay them. Then you shout "STOP" when you want to get off.
However, today I took one of the sketchy vans with numbers on the sides that serve as buses (the "real" buses are more limited and move slower). By myself. I was so proud. Basically, the vans drive around their respective routes, and you wave them down when you see them. Then you get on and while they're driving, you pay them. Then you shout "STOP" when you want to get off.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Hermitage
I just went to the Hermitage museum this morning. Eh, look it up. Nothing I can say will do it justice. It is huge, grand, amazing... did I mention it is huge?
I went with S and her mother (my host family), and her mother has connections at the Hermitage, so she was very annoyed when we couldn't get in through a special entrance. This was mostly because she didn't want to wait in the enourmous line for tickets. So instead, she walked right up to the ticket office (cutting in front of a half-hour wait), and emerged with tickets within about a minute. Then she pushed us through security (no coats allowed, you have to check them) to go to a special place for checking coats with no line. This woman was unstoppable.
I also got my first real taste of Petersburg weather. It was cloudy all morning, and it was sleeting when S and I got out of the Hermitage. Apparently this is normal.
I went with S and her mother (my host family), and her mother has connections at the Hermitage, so she was very annoyed when we couldn't get in through a special entrance. This was mostly because she didn't want to wait in the enourmous line for tickets. So instead, she walked right up to the ticket office (cutting in front of a half-hour wait), and emerged with tickets within about a minute. Then she pushed us through security (no coats allowed, you have to check them) to go to a special place for checking coats with no line. This woman was unstoppable.
I also got my first real taste of Petersburg weather. It was cloudy all morning, and it was sleeting when S and I got out of the Hermitage. Apparently this is normal.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Dear Visitors...
Making fun of awkward English is too easy. What I was really interested in were the illustrations of what was prohibited, which were unfortunately only captioned in Russian.
Looking over the picture I took of the sign, I can find only one interpretation for one of them: committing suicide by jumping off of the fort (fourth picture, first row).
(Edit: after asking my friend, it actually says no climbing on buildings... Not as exciting. However, the skiing one is real, since people used to sled down the fortress walls.)
Russian Audiences
They are worse than American audiences. One of the people in my group answered her cell phone during the opera, I sat next to a woman whose cell phone went off, and I had to shush the couple behind me (maybe it's physically impossible to whisper in Russian?). Also they clap between arias, but I think that may be standard among all but the most German of audiences (by which I mean Wagner...).
Finally (and this is not restricted to musical audiences, as I later saw on Russian television during a fashion game show...), applause in Russia is synchronized. They all just clap a beat together. Interpret that as you will...
Finally (and this is not restricted to musical audiences, as I later saw on Russian television during a fashion game show...), applause in Russia is synchronized. They all just clap a beat together. Interpret that as you will...
Friday, March 27, 2009
St Petersburg
I don't think I can keep up with my small facetious posts in a place like St Petersburg. Being here has already been an amazing experience, and this is just the end of my second day (and only my first full day). Russia, first of all, is a strange place. I'm staying with a family, and many of the Russians I've met and seen have been completely over-the-top. My first night I went to the Mariinsky's new theater to see a new production of Rossini's opera "Barber of Seville." The daughter in the family (I'll call her 'S') had been showing me around, but she worked at the Mariinsky, and was working that night, so I sat with her mother. Her mother was entertaining several friends, and their interactions were absolutely nuts. They were all decked out in furs, jewelry, designer bags, designer glasses, and in at least one case, braces... and they were all middle-aged. The production was not very good, and they all left after the first act, but I stuck around (the singers did a very good job), and had an after-show snack with S and one of her friends from school (he was studying CS, so we had quite a bit to talk about).
Today, all of my experiences pale in comparison to going to the old Mariinsky theater to see Tchaikovsky's "Queen of Spades." So perhaps some of you reading that have reached this point are writing me off as a complete classical music dork. Perhaps you are right, but that does not mean that had you been in my place you would have been any less impressed. The theater is beautiful. The orchestra was huge. The sets were traditional. The singers were amazing. I wish I could even begin to describe it, but I think it may have been too recent for me to do that (I got back about 30 minutes ago).
Today, all of my experiences pale in comparison to going to the old Mariinsky theater to see Tchaikovsky's "Queen of Spades." So perhaps some of you reading that have reached this point are writing me off as a complete classical music dork. Perhaps you are right, but that does not mean that had you been in my place you would have been any less impressed. The theater is beautiful. The orchestra was huge. The sets were traditional. The singers were amazing. I wish I could even begin to describe it, but I think it may have been too recent for me to do that (I got back about 30 minutes ago).
Final thoughts on Milan
Euro 2,90 for a bottle of Moscato!? Too bad I was alone and worried about traveling the next day. I wasn't able to take advantage of the sale.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Brief thoughts for a brief visit to Milan
I'm only in Milan for a day, but I managed to do some decent sight-seeing. Several observations:
1) Security likes to check bags. When I went up to the roof of the cathedral, there were two security guards next to each other. Each of them checked my bag once.
2) Going up to the top of the cathedral was definitely worth it. It's the largest gothic cathedral in the world, and when you climb it, you can walk along the flying buttresses and over a lot of the roof. There were a ton of pictures begging to be taken.
3) Castello Sforzesco has a lot of cute stray cats.
4) In the center of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a huge and grand looking shopping arcade off the cathedral plaza, there are four brand name shops: Bernasconi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and McDonalds. Go America.
1) Security likes to check bags. When I went up to the roof of the cathedral, there were two security guards next to each other. Each of them checked my bag once.
2) Going up to the top of the cathedral was definitely worth it. It's the largest gothic cathedral in the world, and when you climb it, you can walk along the flying buttresses and over a lot of the roof. There were a ton of pictures begging to be taken.
3) Castello Sforzesco has a lot of cute stray cats.
4) In the center of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a huge and grand looking shopping arcade off the cathedral plaza, there are four brand name shops: Bernasconi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and McDonalds. Go America.
Italy, Museums, and Moscato
At the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, I was stopped by security because I accidentally left a bottle of wine in my bag. The sign next to security explicitly said no wine (yes, actually no vino...), but as I took it out of my bag to give to them, the two security guards seemed to debate taking it away from me. In the end, they handed me a card, put my bottle in a little cubby next to them, and told me to retrieve it when I was done.
After I got out of the gallery, I gave the guards the card, and one of them handed me back my bottle asking, "Is that for tonight?"
My (female) friend replied, "It's for right now."
The guard said, "Are you going to open it?"
I replied, "It's already open."
Then the guard gave us a knowing smile and a nod, and we left.
After I got out of the gallery, I gave the guards the card, and one of them handed me back my bottle asking, "Is that for tonight?"
My (female) friend replied, "It's for right now."
The guard said, "Are you going to open it?"
I replied, "It's already open."
Then the guard gave us a knowing smile and a nod, and we left.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Laundry on the move
Laundry will probably be one of the most difficult things I will have to deal with on this trip, I've come to realize. Even more difficult than figuring out how European keyboards change from country to country.
I should say a word or two about Florence. It really is amazing, but just about every square inch of it is touristy (square millimeter I guess, since I'm in Europe). The center of town can be located by the massive Duomo, a gothic cathedral that is amazingly decorated in white, green, and red marble, with an amazing facade of intricate sculptures and reliefs. From the outside, it is amazing. The dome (engineered by Brunelleschi) is probably the highest point in Florence and is quite imposing.
We climbed to the top of the dome yesterday. My legs still hurt.
I should say a word or two about Florence. It really is amazing, but just about every square inch of it is touristy (square millimeter I guess, since I'm in Europe). The center of town can be located by the massive Duomo, a gothic cathedral that is amazingly decorated in white, green, and red marble, with an amazing facade of intricate sculptures and reliefs. From the outside, it is amazing. The dome (engineered by Brunelleschi) is probably the highest point in Florence and is quite imposing.
We climbed to the top of the dome yesterday. My legs still hurt.
Bicyclists in Florence
People in Florence have no idea how to ride bikes. I've encountered a couple of them, and all of them weave from side to side, even with no one around. And if anyone is around, it's up to the pedestrian to avoid being randomly swerved into.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time difference in Italy
I tell time differently in Italy. I find it much more effective. Instead of 7am, 8am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm, I have wake-up time, breakfast time, lunch time, gelati time, nap time, coffee time, wine bar time, dinner time, and bed time. It's a tough existence.
I've really enjoyed Rome. We hit Villa Borghese and Piazza del Popolo today. And I'm officially addicted to Moscato. We're off to Florence tomorrow!
I've really enjoyed Rome. We hit Villa Borghese and Piazza del Popolo today. And I'm officially addicted to Moscato. We're off to Florence tomorrow!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Vatican in Record Time
I'm in Rome at the moment. I should mention that I used to come here quite frequently while my grandfather lived here, but he moved to Toronto when I was about 14, so my practical knowledge of the city is nil. My first re-impression of the city was that it was really dirty, and that the infrastructure was falling completely into disrepair. Well, that continues to be true, but you really just forget it all the longer you stay here. Rome is such an amazing city, as much of a tourist trap as it has become. As I walked back to my hostel with my friend, we passed a building that was raised OVER a series of ruins. It was rather surreal.
Oh, and to explain the title of this post, our time from lining up at the Vatican to getting through the ticket collector was 8 minutes. I'm going to guess that's close to a record. That's through security, up to the ticket booth, and through the ticket-checker. We rock.
Oh, and to explain the title of this post, our time from lining up at the Vatican to getting through the ticket collector was 8 minutes. I'm going to guess that's close to a record. That's through security, up to the ticket booth, and through the ticket-checker. We rock.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Back
I'm back in Cambridge as of a few hours ago. Back to the same gripes as last term, but with some new ones I'd like to mention. They didn't let me keep my stuff in my room over break, because they were apparently working on the building I'm staying in. Well, I've only noticed one difference. To get into my building, you have to go down a short but dark alley, so at night you used to have to fumble for the lock to get in. Now they've added a motion-activated light that points directly at you so that you're blinded before pulling out your keys.
The Sweden and Denmark post is coming soon...
The Sweden and Denmark post is coming soon...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A New Year, a New Post
Within the past 30 days, I've been in Cambridge, London, Boston, Toronto, and Edinburgh. Right after the term ended in Cambridge, I packed up my stuff (they don't let leave your stuff in the rooms... highly inconvenient) and moved a significant portion of it with me to London. I was staying with some family friends, and on the first night I saw nothing more than King's Cross and their house. The second day I explored London for a bit and met up with my friends.
London is vast. It sprawls across a huge amount of land, but you get the impression that all of it is real city. My 40 minute walk took me down the river starting at the London Eye (the big ferris wheel next to the millennium bridge) and ending at parliament and Big Ben. I then turned right and walked past a fancy building titled "The Institution of Civil Engineers." Subsequently, I noticed an equally posh building labeled "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers." However, as much as I hoped to follow this progression to get pictures of institutions devoted to Course 3, 4, 5 and my beloved 6 and 8, I had an obligation to meet with my friends, so I continued along the road to reach Queen Victoria bus station.
My next sight was Buckingham Palace. I don't really know how I managed this, but I got there right at the changing of the guard (11.30am). So that was a bit of luck. There was a bunch of music, then the soldiers with their rigid discipline, funny walk, and furry black hats. About 30 of them marched from the building I can only assume was some guard building, through a mass of tourists (barricaded by the police), and into the gates of Buckingham Palace. You're going to have to imagine that all, because I didn't get any good pictures. Here's a picture of the palace, with a bunch of tourists. I took it because it indicated to me that I was no longer in Cambridge (there are people walking on the grass...).
After picking up my friends, I helped them bring their stuff to an amusing hotel (the rooms were tiny and highly modularized) and after lunch, two of us caught an opera at the Covent Garden (quite literally caught: we ran for five minutes, ran up to the ticket agent, ran to the usher, the usher ran with us following to the auditorium, and then the usher told us that we had to run to our seats). All in all a well done tour of London. The next day, we all flew back to the states together (and AJP joined us).
It was so, so nice to be back in the States. I don't think I can emphasize that enough. So I won't try.
I was in Edinburgh with all of my family (on my father's side) for Christmas and New Year's. There were about 15 of us, and it actually turned out to be a lot of fun (despite being rather cramped for several days). I'll leave off with a great picture my grandfather took of my brother and I playing with a miniature table soccer set that was probably not built to be played by people of our respective sizes.
I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's. Hopefully I'll have lots of interesting things to write about when I get back to Cambridge. Tomorrow I leave for Stockholm, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark for five days. Not nearly long enough, but that's how it is.
London is vast. It sprawls across a huge amount of land, but you get the impression that all of it is real city. My 40 minute walk took me down the river starting at the London Eye (the big ferris wheel next to the millennium bridge) and ending at parliament and Big Ben. I then turned right and walked past a fancy building titled "The Institution of Civil Engineers." Subsequently, I noticed an equally posh building labeled "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers." However, as much as I hoped to follow this progression to get pictures of institutions devoted to Course 3, 4, 5 and my beloved 6 and 8, I had an obligation to meet with my friends, so I continued along the road to reach Queen Victoria bus station.
My next sight was Buckingham Palace. I don't really know how I managed this, but I got there right at the changing of the guard (11.30am). So that was a bit of luck. There was a bunch of music, then the soldiers with their rigid discipline, funny walk, and furry black hats. About 30 of them marched from the building I can only assume was some guard building, through a mass of tourists (barricaded by the police), and into the gates of Buckingham Palace. You're going to have to imagine that all, because I didn't get any good pictures. Here's a picture of the palace, with a bunch of tourists. I took it because it indicated to me that I was no longer in Cambridge (there are people walking on the grass...).
After picking up my friends, I helped them bring their stuff to an amusing hotel (the rooms were tiny and highly modularized) and after lunch, two of us caught an opera at the Covent Garden (quite literally caught: we ran for five minutes, ran up to the ticket agent, ran to the usher, the usher ran with us following to the auditorium, and then the usher told us that we had to run to our seats). All in all a well done tour of London. The next day, we all flew back to the states together (and AJP joined us).It was so, so nice to be back in the States. I don't think I can emphasize that enough. So I won't try.
I was in Edinburgh with all of my family (on my father's side) for Christmas and New Year's. There were about 15 of us, and it actually turned out to be a lot of fun (despite being rather cramped for several days). I'll leave off with a great picture my grandfather took of my brother and I playing with a miniature table soccer set that was probably not built to be played by people of our respective sizes.
I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's. Hopefully I'll have lots of interesting things to write about when I get back to Cambridge. Tomorrow I leave for Stockholm, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark for five days. Not nearly long enough, but that's how it is.
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