And yes..I'm back to my scratch pad.
I tend to slip into a trance, every now n then..A trance so strong that it bounces back any attempts of thoughts escaping out, pacifies any meek desire for expression, only till a time, when there comes an experience too strong to be withheld, too charged to be contained.. , that thought ruptures through the impermissible walls of my trance and spills on these pages.. and Cambridge was such an experience.
In the spirit of full disclosure, this wasn’t my first trip to Cambridge..I've been there,seen it all and must I admit, I was thrilled by what I saw. Inspite of all this, it never lingered around me for so long.There was something definitely different this time. Something that kept coming back to me, hinting subtly, hinting obviously, luring me to an extent of seduction, to let it out..
SO here it goes..
On my checklist were a few places, I wanted parents to visit..most of which were covered by now, and Cambridge was an On and Off plan.
On a not-so-fine , extremely foggy Saturday morning, we set off for Cambridge, to tick it off the list,before its wrap up time. It wasn’t till we actually reached Cambridge ,that the weather n spirits began to pick up. It was surprisingly sunny n warm !! (for those who live/have lived , in UK , can relate more to those 2 exclamations :) )
The timing of the trip was perfect. The city is known for its greenery n parks, great gardens and what better time to visit it than Fall!!
The park, where we bid byes to our car,was massive, to say the least. On one side the river tried to outrun it, and on the other was a row of trees..with a passage wide enough for 6-8 walk hand in hand..The passage turned aisle, was covered by leaves of all shades..every stage of transition ..green ,lemon yellow, bright yellow, brown, some red...this carpet was far more sensual than the ladies on the red carpet!!
The passage well defined by the lane of trees on either side , uniformly spaced, directing and guiding you the right way... and all just holding on to the end of their leaves..for just a little longer..
The sun n spirit ,neither could resist the view..they shown in their full bloom.. For the visitors this was a treat..but along the river were the benches, occupied by couples..mature n juvenile.. the place wasn’t just momentary beauty,it had forced many on the benches to revisit, to make explicit time and enjoy its beauty..that wasn’t just skin deep.
We could have easily spent the day there, if only there wasn’t more to the place...So we walked along the river Cam, which runs through the city, and reached our next destination.
Now on the agenda was a must-have punting tour of River Cam. It wouldn’t be stretch to say, mark my words, that it would take you back to the experience of Venice..Not only the Gondola ride parallel but also the charm of the small town, buzzing youth and always alive surroundings.
While waiting for our Punt, we stroll around the area, marched to the one-of-the-many bridges that are across the river. The punting tours crossing us right from under that bridge, their elated faces, surprised eyes from those fiction n fact smoothie the guide poured them...trying hard n failing, to capture everything in their glance..
And we were more or less is same awe when it came to our turn. Relaxed, amazed, strangely curious, as if he would pull a bunny out of his hat!! May be the familiarity of the place offered me more comfort..but the excitement of the kids was rubbing on everyone .. And neither kids nor grownups could resist the try on punting offer :)
The guide fed his smoothie of fiction n fact and everyone sipped it in delight, the supposedly newton's matematical bridge, nasty n fun stories of papmperd princes graduating from here,the original sewage system that opened in the river,in those days ..n many many more :) . He kept us both entertained and intrigued :)
The colleges on the bank of the river were fascinating..each with its majestic building, lush green ground an d ivies climbing n covering the wall..Painting in fall colors, mostly red..It was a very noisy tour that left many speechless..
Interestingly, the area provides almost every cuisine, if you are a fussy eater or particular about diet one too, you would find something matching you appetite..
After a yummy -filling break, back on feet and we head right for the colleges..to take a sneak peek into those renowned building that sharpen the ever buzzing brains.. The enormous doors of almost all colleges, heavy n visibly well crafted, seemed to challenge those who are worthy enough to push them n enter. Strangely it was devoid of any student movement, although this was the students hostel, mess and library area.. but its a weekend..So it’s not all work n no play.. or may be more of play than work :)
On the streets of that tiny town were a mixed population of students.. mostly Asians though..how much that says about our priorities and upbringing.. Anyhow..
We were racing against the sun..there was so much to see and so little of the day was left... We barely made it to 4 colleges.. and it was beginning to fade away...
The famous Corpus Clock, always packed with visitors, trying to get one click with that giant insect
pushing the time around, was another must have pic, for a bollywood group, more so after the release of PAA :)
The city lights up in the evening..with some very interesting unique shops.. bright paths and narrow and lit streets..
There is so much more that the city has, to offer and everytime it does, it would leave you with a sense of fulfillment and longing at the same time.. wonder which of these was pushing the walls of trance!!
