Cambridge

Hey, we're in Cambridge and we're pretty well settled into our new flat. We have shifted the furniture, started to build up the implements of daily life. The flat is really nice, clean and bright. The furniture is basic but everything is either new or in very good condition. The whole flat has hardwood floors, which was a pleasant surprise. We have a tiny two-inch wide balcony with big double glass doors that fully open to let in fresh air. It's still late-summer-like here, in the 60s and 70s. It's possible to open up all the doors and windows here because there are almost no bugs-how sweet is that? You couldn't do that in Iowa a.) because opening windows in the summer in Iowa is like having an enormous giant dog breathe hot stinky morning breath all over your body while drooling on you; and b.) because of the bugs.

We have a beautiful Amish quilt (a graduation present to me from Matt's dad) on our bed. It reminds us of Iowa. Mike (Matt's brother) got us a great Grant Wood print for our wedding and we're going to get it framed and put it over the dresser. And it will feel like home. We also have a shelf on our bookcase in the living room dedicated to displaying things that are of some importance to us. It includes a photo of DC, a photo of Matt's grandma Marge, a small book on the art of Iowa, featuring a Grant Wood on the cover, a piece of sea glass we found on the Bournemouth beach.

We don't have internet yet, but once we do our lives will be considerably easier. We won't have to walk miles down to the library. We live some distance from the city center, maybe 10 minutes on bike but more like 25 on foot. We are in town today to look for bikes. We do live far enough out of town that we have a lovely view of the countryside out our window but half of it is blocked by the other apartment building, much to my disappointment. But it is still a nice view and it will make for many good walks and biking trips.

In more exciting news, we got new mobiles! And I got a Motorola Sliver, which is sweet. I always get the bargain phone but this phone is really nice. This time I actually decided I didn't care what kind o I got as long as it met three criteria:
a.) that it was large, and open-faced, not a flip phone
b.) that it had a reasonably big screen
c.) that it had big buttons and
having a camera would have been a plus but this phone actually meets all the criteria and was one of the least expensive phones they had. I'm really happy with it. Matt got some kind of black LG flipper thingy and I think he's happy with that one too.

Cambridge town is as beautiful as everyone has said, no arguments here. We will put pictures up as we really can't just describe it, you kind of just have to see it.

We are off to buy bikes. With little baskets in front.