La Iglesia . .

I've heard some say that there is a church on every corner in Utah. Next time I hear that, I'll ask, "Have you been to Europe?"

I have visited many churches during the six weeks that I've been here so far. The churches are ancient and represent much of the history and culture of worship that once saturated this land and the lives of it's people. Now it seems they are crowded with tourists, photography and admission prices.

The churches are ornate and detailed to say the least. Everything about them is massive, and even suffocating. The style and custom craftsmanship represents work and dedication to God. I am always impressed by every carefully built square inch of the buildings.

On Sundays I attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I leave my house at nine a.m. and return home at three p.m. During that time I walk, ride a train, and walk some more, attend a sacrament meeting, teach a sunday school class, attend a priesthood meeting, walk, ride a train, and walk some more.

When I started attending the Clapham Common Ward six weeks ago I knew exactly what the meetings would be like, but I didn't know how much I would learn from other church members and especially from those I teach in the gospel principles class.

They are amazing.

Jersey Boys . .

If you don't think you know who the Four Seasons are, then I'll tell you that you do. Because you do.

"Sherry," "Walk Like a Man," "Oh What a Night" . . ringing a bell? Even if it's not, you've heard their songs on commercials at the very least.

The acting was solid and the singing was record quality. The show made me love their music even more because I learned how the group formed, fell apart, reformed and transformed into what it was in the end.

As I watched their story, I saw how and why they wrote their songs. Context is powerful.

More than anything, I'm just happy to know why "Big Girls Don't Cry."

Hampton Court . .

Music men . .

The changing of the guard in London is beautiful. The soldier's uniforms are majestic, they march in front of Buckingham Palace, and play shiny gold instruments - that's why it's beautiful.

Sure, they exclusively play American hits and you expect that at any moment they'll start playing the Star Spangled Banner followed by fireworks shot from behind the palace, but if you don't listen to the music, it's a completely British experience.

The Globe . .

I went to a play at the Globe Theatre. As You Like It was a perfect addition to my London experience.

Shows at the Globe are raw.

And get the standing tickets, the actors might even spit on you.

Punt this . .

Punting is an art. And it takes practice. That's what I learned from Cambridge.

Here is what wikipedia has to say:

A punt is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow, designed for use in small rivers or other shallow water. Punting refers to boating in a punt. The punter generally propels the punt by pushing against the river bed with a pole. A punt should not be confused with a gondola, which is propelled by an oar rather than a pole.

Punts were originally built as cargo boats or platforms for fowling and angling, but in modern times their use is almost exclusively confined to pleasure trips.

This is what punting is supposed to look like . .

This is what I look like while punting.

City of bikes . .

In many parts of Cambridge you can't drive - it's bikes only. I can't explain to you how many bikes there are. It was nuts. Okay fine, I'll try to explain. I was leaning up against a fence and a man riding his bike gave me the "you are wasting a perfectly good bike parking spot" and I was. I took a hint and told him I'd move. He verbally agreed that it was a good idea and I nodded in agreement. Provo parking flashbacks followed.

Spending the day in Cambridge was a delight. We went on a tour of Pennbrook College, King's College (where we ran into the Brother and Sister Tanner, yeah, the prominent Mormon folk), visited the Christopher Wren Library, went punting in the river behind the colleges and attended evensong at King's College Chapel.

I really wanted to eat at the Cambridge cafeteria. I was obsessed with doing it, obsessed enough to ask a Cambridge student to take me. Thank you Artes! My friend Alison joined Artes and I and it was a feast of food and people watching. Like all schools they have jocks, geeks, preps and mean girls.

Beyond the cafeteria, they also have the option to attend a formal dinner after evensong, which is also done every night. I love their traditions and the community it creates. The formal dinner is candlelit, robes are worn and waiters serve dinner. I had to peek in and it was 100% Harry Potter style.

I'd go every night.

Oh, and did I mention that there are bikes everywhere?