On March 20th, all of us at the Cambridge program set off on our Castles Trip.  Our first stop was to see Coventry Cathedral, which is actually three cathedrals… The newest one is actually still under construction and looks vaguely familiar… *cough cough* Chapel of the Resurrection… There are a lot of connections between Coventry and Valparaiso University.  We even have our own designated bench!

Partial Solar Eclipse in England!

Second Cathedral which was bombed by the Nazis

New Coventry Cathedral! Look Familiar?

Old cross left after the Nazi bombing

Valparaiso University bench

“Father Forgive” – Forgive the Nazis of what they have done (first reaction from the people of Coventry)

From March 12-15th, six of us Valpo adventurers flew northeast to Norway!  We landed in Oslo late at night and trained west to Bergen the next day.  It was an amazing trip and the scenery was breathtaking.

Training through the mountains

Training through the fjords

Bergen, Norway

Up to the top of the Fjord at Bergen

Bergen from above

Bergen and her harbor

Wandering through the Norwegian forest

The Valpo Crew

Stephanie takes a picture of the not taking picture sign

Bergen at Sunset

Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway

Training through Norway

Training through Norway

On top of the arctic world

Oslo Harbor

Oslo Castle

We watched a Division Three profession soccer (futbol) match with Cambridge’s team.  Unfortunately York was victorious.

York vs. Cambridge

York vs Cambridge

On Sunday March 1, I took a day trip to London.  I wanted to take some time off and stroll through the royal parks of the city.  I explored Regent’s Park and Queen Mary’s Gardens.  Then I went to Hyde Park and rented a Barclay’s bike and road around the lake.  It was brilliant outside.  Later that evening I went to a Hillsong London service which was really cool and the lead pastor of their Sydney campus was there.

Regent’s Park

I found one rose in the entire garden in early March! – Queen Mary’s Gardens

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park

Hyde Park

To end our Spain and Italy tour, we needed to stop in Barcelona!  We spent two full days exploring the city.  As agreed upon by the entire group, the bike tour of the city was our favorite part!

Barcelona – bike tour

Barcelona – bike tour

Barcelona – bike tour

Sarah and the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean

The Iberian Coast

What a capital!! Two days were not nearly enough to explore this gigantic city.  To name a few, we saw the Colosseum, the Royal Forum, and the Vatican.

The Colosseum – Roma

The Colosseum – Roma

(Matt) The Colosseum – Roma (photo credit: Brendan Johnson)

The Colosseum – Roma

Roman Forum – Roma

Roman Forum – Roma
(Left to Right: Emily M. Aislynn, Brendan)

Roma

Roma

The Pope at the Vatican – Vatican City

The next stop in C-95’s Italian and Spanish adventure was nestled in the mountains of Tuscany:  FLORENCE!!!  This city was built and supported by the Romans because it was a fertile area along the trade routes to the Alps.  The basilica was gigantic and we loved strolling through the Roman plazas and seeing the impressive Classical architecture and sculptures.

Michelangelo’s Plazza: C-95 Left to Right: Brendan, Aislynn, Emily M., Sarah

Florence Hospital: Excellent Classical Architecture

Fiume Arno flowing through Firenza

Florence

Fiume Arno flowing through Firenza

Last remaining bridge after the Nazi bombings

Firenza

Florence

From February 12-14 six of us Cambridge students began an adventure through Italy and Spain.  We stopped in Venice first which was great because Carnevale was going on and people dress up in fantastic costumes and masks! The city itself was gorgeous too.  Nothing like floating on a gondola during Valentine’s Day weekend.  The gondola man does not make too bad of a date!

It is great to take a break every once in a while and take in the beauty of a city and the landscape.  One of the most beautiful places to go in Cambridge is along the Backs (the backside some of the more famous colleges of the University of Cambridge).

Cambridge football practice complex

It has been snowing here in Cambridge.  On the radio station, the locals are talking about massive travel headaches in this “snow apocalypse.”  So far less than an inch has been reported.