Day 2

Today was a day of flying.

I was delayed out of LAX (surprise) because they had a last-minute gate change and ended up busing us all to a different terminal.

The flight itself was unremarkable. I sat with a friendly Italian couple and watched clouds for a bit.

When the pilot announced our final descent into Heathrow, I have to admit I was glued to the window.

I landed at around 12:30 local time and 4:30 LA time, and I really felt it as I staggered through immigration and customs, circling the Central Bus Station about half a million times before realizing that mass transportation in the UK is infinitely more efficient than mass transportation in LA, with announcements for every departure piped through the PA.

I made it to Cambridge after a half-conscious coach (aka bus) ride on the National Express through many, many very green rolling hills. Our Scottish bus driver shouted Scottish-ishly at us as he heaved about a thousand pounds' (hah) worth of luggage from the cabin and shooed us on our way. Walking into King's for the first time was indescribable.

In other words, I'm about to fall asleep, so maybe I'll write more about it tomorrow.

But then.


I was pottering around the college after unloading all my junk in my room at Bodley's (fourth floor, no elevator, but corner room) when I saw people gathered along the banks of the Cam, which winds through campus.

A bunch of dudes in tuxes them stepped into wide punts that were lashed together and launched into what I consider quintessential British Songishness--lots of stuff in Latin, something choral written by Henry the something-eth hundreds of years ago.

A few minutes later, it started raining.

Umbrellas popped up everywhere because this is England and an umbrella is practically part of one's wardrobe.

I've got to pay a visit to Sainsbury's tomorrow, as I've forgotten to pack toothpaste.