We arrived in London after a 9-hour flight from Seattle. Everyone was in good spirits, even if a little tired. We made our way to Cambridge where we are now settled for a few days before heading back to London. After a dinner together in the city center, some returned to the hotel where sleep called, while others were itching to see more of the center.

We had our first official meeting this morning, beginning with a very good presentation by our “Cambridge Group” that provided an overview of the history of Cambridge noting key historical, political and cultural dimensions of Cambridge. Did you know that Oliver Cromwell’s head is rumored to be buried somewhere in Cambridge, though no one knows where (and if they do they are not speaking?). The group then did a lovely job introducing to the class major philosophers who are associated with Cambridge. For example, Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, Bertrand Russell, and Stephen Hawking are just a few of those linked intimately to Cambridge. Then there is Henry Sidgwick, my favorite! Along with being a noted moral philosopher in the tradition of utilitarianism, Sidgwick was a leading figure at Cambridge University and was responsible for creating what became the first woman’s college at Cambridge. All in the hey-day of Victorian life! We finished with a robust discussion of the relationship between science and morality, since many of the philosophers associated with Cambridge are more inclined to a view of morality that emerges from and is related to a scientific understanding of the world. All in all, a wonderful start to the J-term!

Today is our free day in Cambridge, and we're mostly walking around and looking at the shops in the area. Yesterday we went on a tour of King's College, and got to see the amazing Chapel! The architecture is out of this world, and the stain-glass windows are beautiful! What I found to be interesting, is that only certain people can walk on the grass, and students can only walk on the grass if they are accompanied by these people. I think the tour guide told us Lords could walk on the grass. But that explains why the grass is SO green!

We have officially started our European adventure. The last few days we have been staying in Cambridge. We were able to take a tour of Cambridge University and walk around the cute town. I really like it here. I didn't realize how much philosophy originated from this town, it is very interesting. Tomorrow we leave for London and will have the chance to experience a bigger city and more sights. So far, we are all getting along great and having a good time. This is a great trip.

We are on our final day in Cambridge. We're off to London tomorrow. We've learned about the famous Cambridge philosophers and minds including Bacon, Newton, Hume, etc. The city is full of amazing architecture, quite an inspiring place of education!

This is our final day in London. The trip is passing quickly! Yesterday we all went to Westminister Abbey, the British Museum of History, and then saw Les Miserables (great seats-8th row center!). It was a packed day!

Today many of us went to Notting Hill and the Portobello Street Market-very busy and full of life! Then we visited the theater district, the National Portrait Gallery and the Photographer's Gallery. Tonight a few students will squeeze in one more show at the theaters.

Tomorrow we are off to Berlin. We'll be there almost a full week. More from there later...

We leave England tomorrow. We had a lovely stay in London. We saw the British Museum of History, Les Miserables in the Theatre district, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral (where we climbed to the top and was able to overlook London), along with some other historirc places like Blackfriar's Pub with it's histoy and famous internal decor, Portobello Market where we looked for all things in the movie Knotting Hill, and a host of other amazing things. We minded the Gap, our head and steps often, and the oyster card proved well worth the effort!

Well, if things were great in England, they have gotten exponentially better in Berlin. After arriving in the old East Berlin (we passed the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and saw in the road where the old Berlin Wall used to be), we settled into a lovely hotel. Despite the location not being so immediately accessible to needed amenities, we found the close U-Bahn, which takes us all over Berlin. It’s really amazing how public transportation is utilized in these countries. For instance, one could travel on public transportation here the equivalent from Seattle to Tacoma.

I am sitting in a internet cafe above Dunkin Donut in Berlin, Germany. The people here are very fun to talk to. most of them are always curious about where we are from, and it is a pretty easy guess. I am really thankful that most of them know enough enlgish to communitcate with us. Otherwise i would be lost in translation. The food is amazingm but it is a very hearty meal. They really do love thier meat and potatoes. We have already traveled through Cambridge and London.

So our group is now in Berlin, and I am loveing this place. Despite the language barrier I have enjoyed it more than I did London. The people are nicer and are willing to work with us about the language, especially when we try. In reguards to this I have been surprised at how much of my high school German has come back to me and how much I have missed learning it.

Well, it's our halfway point on this trip, and I am having a blast!