Birds of Wachapreague

Here are some of my brother-in-law's photos from our nature boat tour around Wachapreague Inlet and Cedar Island—his zoom was far superior to mine in capturing the birds that Captain Rick, our guide, pointed out. I saw a few of these species last year when my sister and I explored a different area of the Virginia Shore with Captain Rick, but it's going to take a bit of training before I can identify a bird that doesn't have unique plumage and isn't sitting close enough for me to carry out a thorough inspection.

Double breasted cormorant sunning itself by the Wachapreague Marina.

The red-billed royal and caspian terns.

The marbled godwit walks amongst the oyster shells.

The peregrine falcon perched by its nest—the plastic abode was provided by a local authority.

A group of unidentified shore birds.

The whimbrel has a bill curved at 58°—the perfect angle to raid fiddler crab holes.

And finally, the oyster catcher—the favorite amongst our group.

The Other Cambridge

A lot more fast food and traffic lights and far fewer cows in this Cambridge.

Driving to my sister's shore place in Wachapreague, Virginia (population 235), we passed Cambridge, Maryland. After our time in England and our travels around Europe, we realized how many towns and cities in the U.S. were named after places settlers had emigrated from. Out a sense of nostalgia or our need to use the bathroom or a mixture of the two, we stopped at the McDonald's in Maryland's Cambridge. M* went all native and got the Egg McMuffin Breakfast Meal.

M* enjoying his Egg McMuffin.

AC/DC Without A Hint of Hipster Irony

You know you're back in Maryland when...

you are at the bank, and the mobile phone of a tank-top and shorts wearing fella indicates a call with AC/DC's Back in Black. I just can't imagine such a thing happening in the UK (even though the band is Australian), and in L.A. it would be more of a hipster statement of retro, average joe coolness (like drinking Pabst beer, listening to Journey and sporting trucker hats—thank God that trend has past except for the few who still embrace that tired brand of Von Dutch) than a declaration of a longtime fan.

Kitties!

Luckily Titchou and Brea have forgiven us for abandoning them for the year at "Grandma's."

Titchou is mesmerized by the camera.

Brea is such a glamour girl.

Goodbye 29 Owlstone Road!

Copenhagen—President and Protest

We were walking through Copenhagen's City Center, when we saw a queue of people. Following it to its start, we learned that people were waiting to meet Bill Clinton and have him sign his new book. Since he was set to arrive in a few minutes, we waited around to see him and his Secret Service agents alight from their vehicles. I decided to do join the locals thrusting their hands forward for a shake (the rest of my family has met him, so I figured it was my turn), and M* got a video of Bill (unfortunately, I did not make it into the clip).

Copenhagen—Red Life District and Graffiti

The reviews of our hotel did not mention that the hotel is located right on the edge of the red light district. M* found this out during his interview, when a potential future boss asked him where we were staying. I also had picked up clues such as the Bunny Club strip joint on the same street as the hotel.

Shop right around the corner from our hotel.

The area is actually in the process of gentrifying, and we didn't see much more than a few sex shops and strip clubs. We were also told that Copenhagen is an extremely safe city. With hotel prices around $300/ night in this area, I expected a slightly different neighborhood ambiance. Still, with the train station four blocks away, the hotel was very convenient.

American graffiti in Copenhagen.

The other surprise of our trip was the graffiti—the presence of it in most neighborhoods and the amount of it that was in English. As we were told that the Danes are some of the happiest people (according to some study), I was a bit surprised by the large quantity and the anger displayed by it. Perhaps I've just lost my edge after spending a year in the pastoral setting of Cambridge.

New take on 'Make love, not war'?

At first I thought this meant a call to rise up against gay people, but I checked, and it refers to the struggle by gay Muslims for acceptance.

Copenhagen--First Impression

Not the New Yorker that I'm used to.

While waiting for M* to return from his interview, I walked from our hotel to the Strøget, which is a series of streets known for good shopping. Well, I should have expected globalization to have left its mark on Copenhagen, and I, unfortunately, saw mainly stores that one can find in most large cities: Zara, Urban Outfitters, Ecco, H&M.

The Strøget begins with a 7-11 on one corner and a Burger King on the other.

I had read or heard that Copenhagen was a lot like Amsterdam, and I can see it a bit in the architecture of the older buildings. However, it's Amsterdam with fewer canals, more advertisements and neon signs, and a 7-11 or American fast food establishment (McDonalds, Burger King, KFC) in every block. I'm expecting that once we explore more of the city, we'll discover a more authentic Copenhagen.

Ads like these that cover soulless office buildings in Los Angeles--that I can handle. It's such a shame that these lovely, historic buildings are used to hock mobile phones, airlines and financial services.

On another note, our hotel (AXEL Hotel Guldsmeden) is conveniently located by the central train station and Tivoli Gardens. However, the famous gardens are closed until 12 October when they reopen completely decorated for Halloween.

Tivoli Gardens decorated for Halloween. Getting past the gate will have to wait for another visit.

Off to Scandinavia

Polse, a Danish hotdog, is quite popular in Copenhagen.

M* and I thought we'd have almost a week in Cambridge to relax, visit with friends and sightsee, but tomorrow and Tuesday we will be in Copenhagen. It's all for a good reason—M* has a job interview that could relocate us to Denmark or North Carolina. Neither of us has been to Copenhagen, so instead of him flying back to the UK directly after the Monday interview, I'm flying with him in the morning and we'll stay until late Tuesday. I hope to get a feel for the place, and determine how easy it is to get around speaking English.

I'm glad that Copenhagen is often described as a vibrant, dynamic, energetic or exciting, as the weather is often described as wet and rainy. M* and I already had a hard time coping with the wet, cold English summer. If Copenhagen is where we end up, we certainly will be making frequent weekend trips to warmer destinations in Europe. I just hope that easyJet expands their service from Copenhagen airport.

Back in the UK

We're back!

We actually feel quite lucky to have arrived back in the UK yesterday, as a severe storm blew over the Dubrovnik area Thursday night. Howling winds kept me from any form of sleep, and our 5:30am ferry from the island of Sipan was canceled (we later found out this only happens two or three times a year). We were able to hire a private boat to take us across the Kolocepski Channel to the small port of Slano, and there the hotel had arranged for a car to take us to the airport. The 44 kilometers was the most harrowing auto journey that I've ever experienced—we had to travel through the storm bombarding Dubrovnik. The two lane road snakes along the coastal cliffs high above the seaside towns, and it can be an adventure in the best of weather. On Friday, rain and mud were pouring down the mountain side onto the road—stranding some cars and requiring mini bulldozers to clear the route of stones washed onto the road. Since a portion of the mountains around Dubrovni were devoid of vegetation due to recent fires, fears of being pushed over the cliffs by a mudslide certainly crossed my mind. Our 22-year-old driver commented that he's never seen such weather before, but that didn't stop him from talking on his mobile. Still, he got us to the airport in one piece, and I tipped him heartily for it.

Anyway, here's a picture of M* and me high above the Old City of Dubrovnik taken by our taxi driver on the day we arrived. The weather was much better that day.

Amsterdam—Around Town

Today was our first full day in Amsterdam, but the morning was spent sleeping in. Although we didn't have jet lag to recover from, we did have post-moving exhaustion.

Me outside of Van Gogh Museum (guidebooks said we would have to wait in line for tickets, but we got right in).

As we are staying in the museum district, we walked over to the Van Gogh Museum and spent the afternoon there. Before meeting up with our Los Angeles friends, Abe and Frank, for dinner, we walked through Vondelpark, one of Amsterdam's main parks, and Oud Zuid, a very nice, residential area of the town where our accommodation is located.

We saw a few herons in Vondelpark. They did not seem bothered by people or dogs.

After being in Cambridge, we are used to seeing people on bicycles. However, Amsterdam is a much larger city and, though old, it's younger than Cambridge, which allows more of its streets to have room for cycle lanes. We do see more people cycling while on mobile phones and with friends and children catching a ride sitting 'side saddle' on a back rack.

Cycle commuters in Vondelpark.

Large, lovely buildings in Oud Zuid

While residential, Oud Zuid has a number of fancy shops—like this bakery.

Frank and Abe have been to Amsterdam a few times, and they made a reservation at Tempo Doeloe, the best Indonesian restaurant in the city (yes, there are quite a few). It was a fantastic meal filled with spice, heat, coconut, anise, coriander, meats, vegetable, and general deliciousness. Since it's been over a year since we've seen Abe and Frank, the meal was that much more special.

Abe in front of our newly served dinner—spiciest dishes on left, mildest on right.

Abe and me outside Tempo Doeloe.

We did pass on desert, in favor of touring the red light district. It's one of those things you just have to do. Still, it's a little disturbing to hear people negotiating with a woman in the window and then have the black curtain drawn. At least the women are unionized with access to medical care.

Amsterdam—We Arrive

The photographer never gets in the photos—sigh. Good thing M* photographs well and is a willing subject (usually).

M* really likes the tile outside of our accommodation.

Lovely, wooden canal boats by our accommodation.

M* outside the Rijksmuseum—it's as close as we got, as the museum had just closed.

We bypassed the restaurants in touristy Leidseplein, and, luckily, stumbled upon Casa Peru.

Bags are Packed

It's 4am, and we have 15 minutes before we leave 29 Owlstone Road the last time as tenants. We will return at the end of the month to stay as guests of the new tenants, our friends James and Manuela. We're too exhausted at the moment to be too emotional, and we know that we have a bit more time to spend with the cows and walk along the Cam. Plus we're really excited to see friends and family in the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia. Life is good.

Sad day. My bike returns to its original home—University Cycles.

Skinny Mirrors Rule!

Me and Dom outside of Camera Obscura World of Illusions Castlehill, Edinburgh

Uchi

One of the errands on my to-do list yesterday was buying "congratulations you had a baby" and "congratulations you're pregnant" gifts. By far the best store in Cambridge for such gifts is Ark. As is usual, while choosing the baby gifts, I found myself ogling something I had not planned on buying. The need not to buy anything was hard to resist, as I had just been at the post office shipping items that would not fit in our luggage. However, the stylish design of Uchi products, which Ark just began carrying, convinced me that there would be room in my luggage for one or two additional small items.

At first I thought I had found a great new black purse for myself, then I realized it was part of their Mister Uchi Line (a shaver bag). Not to be deterred, I decided that a slightly larger, carry-all version (top left image) would make a great dopp kit for M*. Knowing that my sister would love Uchi, I couldn't leave without buying her something. So I opted for the 'medium utility' from the Uchi Utility line (left) for her, and I threw in the 'mini utility' (right) for me. Ark carried some of the range of patterns available, and I eventually chose the 'super dot.'

M* is not one to spend money on himself, but he was thrilled with the dopp kit. He assured me it was the coolest one he'd seen. I was going to wait and give my sister her Uchi bag for Christmas, but I couldn't resist telling her about it later that afternoon. She was intrigued enough to go right to their web site—much oohing and aahing ensued. She pointed out the super-cuteness of the Uchicuchi Backpack Baby Bag (right in party dot ruby pattern). While my sister and I can't troll the physical aisles of a store together, at least we can cybershop together with broadband and Skype.

Shout It Out

M* and I found the Scots noticeably nicer than the Brits. Then we saw this sign posted in Meadow Park. Maybe a yearly gathering filled with shouting, protests, workshops, speakers and music keeps the Edinburgh-ians happy the rest of the year.

Pictures from Edinburgh

Just kidding. I had three emails from my uncle Peter when we returned from our Edinburgh trip last night. Each email had multiple photos from different dives (all Florida I think). His constant dives and upgrading of his photography equipment yield streams of impressive images.

I love how the orange coral picks up the orange in the fish's cheek (if fishes have cheeks).

Waters must be warming—first time I've noticed a jellyfish in Peter's photos.

Off to Edinburgh

Last Pub Night—Cambridge MBA 06/07

Stephen, Michael and M*

£1,000 pounds. That was the amount left over for the Cambridge MBA's social budget. I'm happy to report that a small, albeit thirsty, percentage of the 112 person class gathered at The Anchor on Friday night and whittled down, libation by libation, the funds until none were left.

Terry, M* and Bing

Although not an official part of the class, I did my part with hard cider, Jack and gingers and even a few tequila shots. It's just another way that I've supported M* this year.

Manuela and M*

Me and the graduate

SPACED

Two weeks ago I got the following email from my friend, Shawn.

Subject: Have you watched SPACED?

OMG, this show is freaking hysterical. It's Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

With no television set, I was glad to have a program to watch on YouTube. Each episode of SPACED was split into three segments, and I immediately watched Episode 1, Part 1. I am amused to a minimal degree by even the worst British comedies—I believe that this is because there are certain commonalities (which I am not coherent or focused enough at the moment to attempt to identify and explain) which exist among them. I, at first viewing, mistakenly categorized SPACED in the minimally to moderately funny group. Luckily I felt a bit under the weather one day this week and needed something to watch as I lay curled up, fetal position, on the couch. Having tapped out the resources of www.tv-links.co.uk, I revisited SPACED. "OMG" is right. The series (two seasons, 14 28-minute episodes in total) hit its stride by the second episode and consistently delivered. So much so that I had watched the entire series by the next day. In my defense, the weather was also really crappy.

The premise is simple: a guy (Tim) and a girl (Daisy) meet in a coffee shop in London and realize that they are both looking for a place to live. They pose as a "professional couple" to secure an apartment. Thrown into the mix are a lonely, quasi-alcoholic landlady; a tortured, unsuccessful artist in the basement apartment; Tim's best friend, Mike, who was kicked out of the Territorial Army because he commandeered a tank to invade Paris; and Daisy's best friend, Twist, who is "in fashion" (an embellished description of her job at a dry cleaners). The cast is great, the characters endearing and identifiable (if one has ever been a bit unfocused at a point in ones life). I think my favorite episode is #3. Here's the description:

Tim has been up all night playing Resident Evil and is still feeling the effects of some speed that he bought. Daisy has an interview at a new women's magazine publisher. Brian's ex-partner of performing art, Vulva, invites him to a showing of his newest performance piece. Daisy and Tim join him. Tim freaks out and starts seeing everyone as Zombies because of the mix of booze, speed, Twiglets (which make him violent) and the lack of sleep he's had. When Vuvla acts rudely towards Brian, Tim comes to the rescue with his hallucinations. (IMDB)