IV.I.VIII – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
IV.I.VIII
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
My time in Cambridge was mostly about medicine. In six weeks I had ample time to enjoy what the city and its surroundings had to offer. I can honestly say I have the fondest memories of that place. I had adventures to my heart’s content, and gained enough knowledge to my mind’s desires. It was truly one of the most gratifying periods of my life.
Cambridge, the county town of Cambridgeshire, is a university city north east of London. And when I say university city I’m not messing around. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is the second oldest English-speaking university in the world, and is made up of self-governing colleges scattered all around the city (each a fascination to visitors!).
Apart from that, the university also runs the second largest university press, and one can find tons of museums and tons of libraries; housing over a total of 16 million books! Which means you can practically smell the scent of old books as soon as you step into the city.
Being conferred temporary student status at the University of Cambridge allowed us to enter the colleges for free and attend college events.
Not gonna lie, visiting them felt a lot like being transported into a world I never really thought I could ever experience in my lifetime, something I would have completely missed out on otherwise. Passing through the grassy courtyards and the wooden dorms, this incredible sense of nostalgia and melancholia struck me as I realised I’d never get to experience such a life for myself, that I’d never get to be a student in such a college. I mean sure, I did attend university but it was nothing of the sort. Our campus does not quite tantalise one’s architectural senses, and that’s to say the least. Plus, given that Malta is such a small country, most of us don’t even move out in order to study, and so, dorms are practically non-existent.
I think the final nail in my coffin of envy was when we got an exclusive invite to a formal dinner at King’s College’s dining hall – which is practically always closed to visitors. Luckily enough, Momma Bear and I attended a medical conference which ended with a dinner there. All dressed up and fancy we made way to the college through a prairie where slowly the spectacular chapel comes into view. In front of it, we had a small, charming reception, and after a few drinks, in we went, excited at the prospects of entering the magnificent building. And let me tell you, stepping into the oak-covered, dramatic and imposing gothic dining hall of King’s college felt exactly as if we had just entered that of Hogwarts!
The tables were all set up beautifully; with fresh white linens, flowers and silver candelabra and cutlery on each. So elegant, so tasteful! And the people. My god – so poised, so sophisticated. Talk about feeling like a fish out of the water! Of course, that was only made more evident once they served us seared and tartare mackerel, horseradish, beetroot and… white chocolate. To my inexistent palate, it all looked absurd and potentially vomit-inducing – until the very second the combinations of flavours hit my taste buds. So exquisite, so mouth-watering.
Then there was the crème de la crème… The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival! I get goosebumps and teary eyes just thinking about it. To think I got to experience this greatness first hand…
An eight-week long event run by the Cambridge Shakespeare Company where they perform Shakespeare’s masterpieces in the gardens and courtyards of Cambridge’s colleges. That’s right, the audience gets to have a picnic and lie on the grass as the drama and tragedies unfold right in front of their very eyes. Truly a surreal experience. Given how highly sought these events are, I count myself lucky to have been able to get tickets for Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
And let me tell you, I could spend my entire life watching these performances. The stages are stripped down to their bare minimum, allowing the incredible acting to shine through what they refer to as “unnecessary theatrical artifice and gimmickry”. And so it’s no wonder that one of my dreams is now to watch all their plays.
Part of what makes Cambridge so charming and idyllic is also the fact that it’s surrounded by countryside on every side.
The River Cam passes straight through the city from Grantchester; a neighbouring village that is equally as peaceful and picturesque. From visiting churches and having high tea at an orchard to taking long walks in the green meadows and kayaking on the river accompanied by ducks and swans, I’d say Grantchester kinda made me wanna retire at an early age. As did Ely, another village close to Cambridge which used to be an island before its surrounding water was drained. The Isle of Ely is now renown for its impressive cathedral which dominates the skyline and the marina; a popular boating spot.
Apart from colleges and countryside, there was also a third C that had me fall in love with the city that stole my heart; culture. The architecture of the old, historic buildings. The suburbs, the outskirts and the city centre. The museums, the parks and the gardens. The street markets and the quaint English pubs. The cherries and the champagne as you’re punting down the River Cam in front of King’s College. The time-worn book you manage to stumble upon in a dark corner of an antique book shop. The crumpets and the cakes in that one coffee shop in Green Street. The quiet, peaceful life everyone seems to lead.
And let’s not forget the heartache of having to say goodbye to a life you feel you belong to. But, as always, life goes on. Thank you for the indelible, life-long memories Cambridge, thank you!