Our first day of rain...

Our first lecture of the day was on nuclear bombs and the threat of attack from Iran and North Korea. I was sleepy during that one (I thought I had gotten over jet lag). Joy will be providing additional notes to me, as I would literally fall asleep writing a sentence in my notebook. So after a double espresso, an oatmeal bar and 1/2 bar of chocolate I sped through the second lecture which was on Virtual Organizations. It touched on the philosophy of virtual organizations and where we are going in the future. I believe our lecturer was much too intelligent for his own good, the lecture was very eclectic.

Then we trotted off to the train station to Ely. We bought a pasty (mine was vege and it was good!) and ate it on our 15 minute ride. The whole point of Ely is the cathedral, which was first built in 673 AD. A very entrepreneurial and feminist nun started a monastery for both men and women, and the rest is history. You go girl!! Here is the website: http://www.cathedral.ely.anglican.org/history/the_story_cathedral.html

We paid for the deluxe tour and went on a trip up to the top of the dome. It was VERY high up and we had to squeeze our way through narrow stairs. I couldn't help but think that the pasty I just ate contributed to the tightness.

We saw the back side of the beams, they were in a weblike pattern to support the structure. Our guide, who wrote a book on the dome, told us it was the only one of its kind built for several hundred years.

We strolled around looking at sculptures of dead people and also visited the stain glass museum. That was very interesting as well, to see how the styles and methodology had changed over time. Then we sat in the pew and listened to choir practice. It was raining fairly hard by then, so we walked back to the train station and went back to Cambridge.

For dinner we walked all over Cambridge for a Thai restaurant and had a wonderful meal. Joy ate duck (Daffy killer) and I had the vege pad thai with fried tofu. It was delish.
So after our bottle of wine, we stumbled back to our favorite neighborhood pub for one last 1/2 pint of Guinness and then went to bed at 10:30. Perfect evening, albeit wet.

Today is very sunny and we are going punting after lectures. Since I haven't had enough of church :), I am taking a few folks to the 5:30 choral service at Kings College to hear the choir. I have decided while being a nun would be very delightful, esp. to hear all the singing. I wouldn't be able to eat enough pasties or chocolate in my life of poverty. I also don't think the wimple would do much for my profile, so perhaps I will just sit and listen :)

Wee Wee or is that Oui Oui?

We had a great time in Paris and Brussels. The blog was ignored because the Internet connection was difficult and we were walking (sometimes running) to our various destinations. We had lectures on the history of French economics, French law, branding of luxury items (which included a tour of the Paris equivalent to Rodeo drive). Our "luxury" speaker was a French fashionista with the whole look and attitude to go with it. We were all impressed by his accent and stuffiness.

Joy and I did the two bit tour of Paris. We saw every major attraction- Eiffel Tower (at night), L'Orangerie, the Arc, Champs Ellysees. I went to the Louvre one afternoon- by myself, major feat (and major feet), while Joy went to Musee d'Orsay. Our well rounded tour concluded with the Notre Dame Cathedral (complete with another church service in French and a holy smoking that occurred during the veneration of the crown). There was so much incense and smoke, all I remember Joy saying is Holy Smoke! I had to duck because it was very funny and I didn't want to be disrespectful and laugh during the perfuming. I thought it was going on because the French were stinky? Notre Dame had some great statues, it even had one of my heros- Joan of Arc.

On our free day we took a long trip to Versailles. We got lost on the way and actually went on a 3 hour tour of the French countryside. It was like Gilligan's island in France. But we finally got to Versailles and enjoyed a lovely day strolling the countryside and Marie Antoinette's houses. These included a village of peasant homes and a farm, so she could "live like the commoners". However, her farm included a dairy to process the milk and then a separate house where she could taste the dairy products. How does a separate house for tasting equate to peasant life? No wonder why France revolted. Our visit would not be complete unless we ate 10 croissants each over the weekend with a cat named Phillis (in a neighborhood cafe). We got out of Paris just in time to miss the riots- all because Sarkosy became president. Trust me, we are grateful he won, now maybe France can move forward with their economy and stop their protectionist activities.

When we went to Brussels, we literally had 24 hours to stuff as much chocolate, waffles and pomme frites into our gullets between shopping and lectures. We also saw Mannekin Pis (the little boy peeing) and he was dressed as an African Warrior. I guess it is a big deal to buy him clothes. Meanwhile, we were watching homeless people begging. Something was wrong with that picture. However, we also saw the Grand Plas and rubbed some wall plaque for luck. We had no idea what we were rubbing, we just went with it. We went to the EU and had two lectures on EU history and the future of the EU. Then I toted 100 lbs of chocolate, tapestry and lace through various train stations until we got back to Cambridge. Whew..... I sprayed perfume on in one train station so I could smell just like a sweaty French person.

Today we had lectures on Multinational Corporations (my favorite so far) and NATO. Then we ran to Trinity to see the "secret" library before it closed. We actually saw manuscripts from a couple of 13th century Bibles and an original Winnie the Pooh draft, all at the same time... Ironic? Perhaps there is a theme there?

Who would have known that Christopher Robin and his father were both Cambridge Scholars? We also saw Isaac Newton's walking stick, manuscript and a lock of his hair. I took a mess of pictures and asked the docent if I could see a Milton manuscript, perhaps Dante's Inferno? He said, who is Milton? Is he a recent author?
Clearly not a Cambridge Scholar. However, he may have been a graduate of Redlands :)

Our day would not be complete without another church service. We went to Kings College Chapel for a choral service. The whole thing was stunning, the choir even sang, "Lord Bless the Queen", which got a chuckle out of Joy and I- at the same time. I was so moved I almost signed up to be a nun. Joy pulled me out of there and quickly got me into a pub where various scholars were known to hang out. The Eagle Pub was known for the scholars Crick and Watson, who stole the concept of DNA from a lady scientist (whose name I have forgotten).

After a 1 1/2 pints of Guinness, I didn't feel like being a nun anymore. We ate fish and chips and then staggered home. Tomorrow we go to Ely to see another cathedral. Perhaps I will take my vows then :) Can nuns drink Guinness? I haven't been to church this much since I was in high school.

I have a ton of pictures to post, but my crappy computer (my $150 toughbook) is running out of memory because I have almost 1000 pictures on it. Yes, I have an obsessive compulsive disorder with my trigger finger. The good news is, anyone who wants a DVD of pictures is welcome to it, just email me. And I am glad I have my toughbook because Joy tripped on the cord in our cramped Paris hotel room and it went flying. I have recently learned that Joy has a habit of falling up curbs, off curbs and on curbs. If the ground is uneven, Joy is stumbling. And it has nothing to do with all the wine and beer we are drinking. That is all for now... Mike and Dan hope you are surviving, we miss you both and no comments on my comma usage or lack thereof...

Tea anyone?

Today we had two lectures again. The first one was discussing the American passion regarding the war- as opposed to a reasonable center in policy making. Stephen Halpert was incredible, he was a Cambridge and Oxford Ph.D. and served under three presidents. We also had a lecture on the economics of Russia, which discussed corruption and the control of oil.

After our lecture, we went to the "orchard" for tea. The Orchard Tea Garden was a commune for some of the greatest thinkers and lecturers at the colleges, including Woolf and Keynes. We ate sandwiches, tea, scones, clotted cream and jam. We had to walk several miles to the apple orchard, but the trees and plants were in bloom.

On the way home, we walked by the river and had quite a view of the English countryside. No wonder why poets came here to study, it is truly inspiring. I also got my dog fix, and of course this little guy was all about swimming. His owners told me he had already swam 200 yards, when he came out, shook off and jumped right back in for another 200. After my scone, I think I would have sank if I jumped in after him.

Along the way, we came upon a very old chapel, it had a names list dating back to 1200 AD. Of course we all had to run in and see the beauty. It was very simple, but moving. I really felt it was an auspicious occasion, one doesn't get to stand in a building that old every day. If you double click on the picture, it comes out larger, so you can see the names. The camera I am using enables me to adjust the ISO so I can take pictures indoors. It was really dark in this church, but I got some good shots. It even had a plaque on the wall dating to the 1600's, commemorating someones death. The alter and stained glass were beautiful.

Finally, I caught a great picture of Joy in the field waiting for the crowd, so I posted it because Mike needed to see more "people" :)

Tomorrow we leave for Paris, I might not be able to post, but I will post as soon as I get pictures.

Cambridge Lectures and Tour

Today was pub day, here is one that we passed by on our way back from the lectures!

Our first lecture series was today, and it was very intimidating. The professors who spoke were extremely knowledgeable about their topics (geopolitics and finance in England and India). It was very humbling to hear these people speak, they know so much about their subject matter AND they can lecture. Perhaps some of our Redlands instructors should come here to learn something.

I am tired tonight, so I am not doing much on the blog. However, here are some pictures from our college tour. We walked all over Cambridge today. This picture is Sir Isaac Newton's house at Trinity. Note the blooming apple tree, this isn't the "one" that inspired him, but it is from his orchard. We also saw Darwin's house (it is across the Thames from our lecture building). We stopped for a quick 1/2 pint at the Slug and Lettuce pub, which was our top destination location for pub drinking.

This evening we went to a reception at Jesus college, we met in the prioress room. I wonder how many bad nuns were hauled into that office. We capped the night off at the local pub, I had my first Guinness (and it was cold).

Tomorrow, we have lectures on the economy and the war. We are also going to tea. I can hardly wait to suck down some clotted cream.

Kings College Interior shots, this does not do the chapel justice. Since Joy and I have recently found services quite enjoyable, we are going again next week to hear the Kings College Choir.

Bloody Good Fun in London

I was peeing my pants all day from excitement. I saw some tremendous things today.
I can hardly contain my self.

We got an early train this morning and landed in London ready to go. We decided to go to Westminster Abbey to start our day. Unfortunately, it is closed on Sundays for tourism. As we were walking around the outside of the Abbey, I was taking pictures of the Choir plaques. A nice gentlemen approached us and told us he sang in the Choir for 8 years and is now a server. We told him our sad story, and he suggested we go to a service so we could see the church inside. So we went (a non practicing Christian and a practicing Jew, what a team). It was AWESOME. The boys choir was incredible and we sat facing a giant stained glass window. We couldn't take pictures, so I don't have anything but outside photos to share.

Next we hopped back on the Tube and went to the British museum. That was the best part of my day. We saw a ton of mummies in various stages of "dress.
Then we saw the Rosetta Stone.

I got so excited I almost fainted, so of course when I saw the stone I got all misty from the nostalgia and Joy was making fun of me. However, if you have been to as many museums and Egyptians exhibits that I have, you would be misty too. Next we saw statues from Easter Island (yes, the big heads), part of the Sphinx beard and statues from the Parthenon. I am so glad that the English stole all that art and put it into one convenient place for viewing!

For lunch we ran (literally) into a Cornish pastie shop and wolfed down a pastie while we talked to a Canadian who is working in Dubai. I guess he is a glutton for punishment. The pastie was excellent (better that what I make, greasier) and we went back to the tube to our final destination- to see the quintessential torture and beheading monuments at the Tower.

So, the Tower of London was anticlimactic (when you compare it to the Rosetta stone). However, we saw a medieval loo and Henry the VIII's armor. We also saw traitors gate and a few torture devices. Overall, the best part was looking at some of the prisoner's graffiti and walking around the grounds.

We had a fabulous day, I saw so much and I had the time of my life. We ended up at the Tower Bridge (which is not the London Bridge). This is the icon of London, along with Big Ben and tea. We walked across it and decided it was time to go home and get something to eat. We ended the day at a fabulous Indian restaurant, complete with naan and pappadum. It went very well with the Indian beer we drank. Overall, it was a great day with great company and lovely sights. Tomorrow we start our big day of lectures and a walking tour of Cambridge. Hopefully I will have time to post more pictures before we travel to Paris on Wednesday. Oui! or is that Chow! And of course you can bet I will be doing some of that in Paris.

Our First Day

Joy flirted her way through LAX getting us economy class upgrades and she got me into the Red Carpet Club by showing some skin to a traveling, older gentlemen.
After an easy flight, and some high maintenance airport activity, we made it to Cambridge.

During the trip we saw a new cash crop they use for biofuel- oilseed rape. It was very pretty and VERY yellow.

Next we got into town and settled in. My room is very much like a convent, sparse without matching furniture. We need to share a bathroom and I only have one power outlet in my room. However, I have a very pretty song bird outside my window, so that makes up for the decor. Now, if only I can find pants to match my wimple.


Meanwhile, we went out to see the town. The first college we stopped at was Emmanuel College. As we walked in to view the atrium, we happened to hear a lovely choir singing madrigals or some kind of Latin hymn. The college gardens and music made my entire day.

Below are some street shots of the College and Cambridge.

Emmanuel College Inner Atrium. The grass was perfect and the walls were amazing!

The college choir and adjacent gardens. The window behind the tree, is the main dining hall.

Michelle said the dining hall reminded her of Harry Potter, I would have to agree. Where is the feast?

This is Pembroke Street, it reminded me of Marry Poppins, chimney sweeps and all! Near this street is Kings College and a ton of really interesting shops and eateries. Joy and I are returning for pasties one day, they make all kinds of flavors. We also bought some chocolate and apples at a farmers market.We are off to London tomorrow, by train. We plan to see the Tower, Westminster and the British Museum. There are a bunch of bookstores near that area, so we plan to go digging for old books and maps. I am sure we will squeak in three square meals and a few more chocolates.

What I must do in the UK before the sun sets...

We are going to be rubbing elbows with students at the colleges next week. Our first official event is at Jesus College which I am very excited about. When we land on Saturday, I plan to walk the university town and experience all of the sights and smells first hand. Trust me, there will probably be a lot of "smells".

Sunday we are going to London- I have three must do's that day.
Westminster, Tower of London, British Muesum.
And of course eating all of that disgusting food I keep hearing about. If they have a good curry, I will be there!

During the week, we plan to travel to Ely to see an amazing cathedral.

We will also be viewing Kings College Chapel.

I will also be going to tea with our professor at the Orchard Tea Garden- here is a blurb from the website:
From 1909, when Brooke moved into Orchard House, to 1914, when the First World War began, the Orchard, with its wooden Tea Pavilion, which still stands to this day, provided a backdrop to a very remarkable group of friends - Rupert Brooke (a poet), Russell and Wittgenstein (philosophers), Forster and Virginia Woolf (novelists), Keynes (an economist), and Augustus John (an artist). It was an idyllic period...

Overall, I can hardly wait to see what the UK and Europe has to offer, but I have a final and paper to write this weekend, so I better get moving...

Links to Some of our Hotels

Paris and Brussels Itinerary

Depart from London Waterloo by Eurostar Train 9030 at 1:41 pm and arrive at Paris Gare du Nord at 5:23pm.

We have sessions at the MBA Institute on May 3-4.
In Paris, we will be staying Wednesday to Sunday at the:
Relais de Paris Lafayette
7, rue des Petits Hotels
75010 Paris

Check it out at:
www.lesrelaisdeparis.fr

We will depart from Paris Gare du Nord by Thalys Train 9429 on Sunday, May 6 at 11:55am and arrive in Brussels at 1:17pm.

Brussels
Sunday, May 6, 2007

In Brussels, we will be staying Sunday night at:
First Euroflat Hotel
Boulevard de Charlemagne, 50
1000 Brussels

Check it out at:
www.firsteuroflathotel.be

We have two sessions at the European Commission on Monday morning May 7, 2007.

On Monday, May 7, we depart from Brussels Midi by Eurostar Train 9145 at 4:03pm and arrive at London Waterloo at 5:26pm for travel back to Cambridge.

Links To Global Sites

Cambridge: http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/cambridgeuk/

EU online: http://europa.eu.int/

World Trade Organization: http://www.wto.org/

IGOs, NGOs, Think TanksThe European Union in the U.S.

http://www.eurunion.org/Here is a comprehensive Web site for those interested in the nature and origin of the European Union. Topics include EU policies and legislation, information on member states, and EU, U.S. relations.

Institute for International Economics
http://www.iie.com/Since its founding in 1981, the Institute for International Economics has provided objective analysis of key international economic problems and has proposed concrete solutions.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
http://www.iadb.org/The Inter-American Development Bank was established in 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. This site offers access to IDB reports and information on member countries.

North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA)
http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/NAFTA's objective is to provide accurate and timely information to U.S. exporters experiencing market access barriers in Canada or Mexico.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
http://www.oecd.org/The Web site of the OECD page provides information on OECD activities, news, and documentation. One interesting feature is links to the Centre for Co-operation with Non-members.

Sustainable Development.Org
http://www.sustainabledevelopment.org/Extensive links at this site lead to such sustainable development categories as agriculture, energy, environment, finance, health, microenterprise, public policy, and technologies.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) http://www.undp.org/
The UNDP helps people in 174 countries to help themselves by focusing on poverty elimination, environmental regeneration, job creation, and the advancement of women.

World Resources Institute
http://www.wri.org/The World Resources Institute provides information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development.

Trip Agenda

Here is my agenda for the entire trip. We will be very busy, but it will be interesting!

THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE 21st. CENTURY

Monday April 30 – Friday May 11 2007


Monday April 30 University Centre

9.30 – 11.00 Geopolitical Change in the 21st. Century

Dr.Geoffrey Lee Williams

11.30 – 1.00 The Geopolitics of the Indian Subcontinent

Dr. Shaila Fennell

1.00 Lunch University Centre

2.00 Group Photograph Cambridge Union Society

2.15 Walking Tour – Cambridge Colleges

6.00 – 8.00 Reception Prioress Room Jesus College


Tuesday May 1 University Centre

9.30 – 11.00 US Foreign Policy after Bush

Dr. Stefan Halper

11.30 – 1.00 Putin’s Russia & the West

Prof. Jonathan Haslam

Wednesday May 2 Travel to Paris

Thursday May 3 Paris Lectures

Friday May 4 Paris Lectures

Monday May 7 European Commission

a.m. Two EU briefings

Tuesday May 8 University Centre

9.30 – 11.00 Myths & Realities of Globalisation

Mr. Michael Kitson

11.30 - 1.00 NATO in the 21st. Century

Dr.Geoffrey Lee Williams

Wednesday May 9 University Centre

9.30 – 11.00 North Korea, Iran & WMD

Dr. Philip Towle

11.30 – 1.00 Contextual Factors in Virtual Organisations
Prof. Peter Kangis

Thursday May 10 University Centre

9.30 – 11.00 Global Semi-conductor Industry Mr. Barry Moore

11.30 – 1.00 Economic Security in the 21st. Century
Mr. Max Beber

Friday May 11 University Centre
9.30 – 11.00 The War on Terrorism:an audit

Dr.Geoffrey Lee Williams
11.30 – 12.45 The Final Session

Dr.Geoffrey Lee Williams

Questions and Answers and Dr.Gerald Groshek

12.45 – 1.00 Presentation of Certificates & Photographs

7.00 for 7.30 Reception Upper Hall

7.30 Dinner Jesus College

‘Political Leadership: Britain & America’
Alan Lee Williams OBE
Director, The Atlantic Council UK Visiting Professor,
Queen Mary College, University of London