Practicalities

While many buildings in Cambridge are of historically interesting design, our apartment building probably is not.  But it is modern, simple and functional.  We live on the 3rd floor American (2nd European) and we do have an elevator which is handy for carrying heavy suitcases.  This apartment compares in size to our married student housing apartment at Purdue: think "compact."  We have a full size range (the stove top is called the "hob"), a half size refrigerator and a separate freezer on top.  I'm  learning that one has to activate the electrical socket before it actually provides any electricity.  The kitchen is furnished with enough dishes and pots and pans so while gourmet cooking might be challenging, we will do very nicely day to day.  Our remodeled bathroom will seem luxurious when we return; no tub here either "soaking" or otherwise but the heated towel bar is an appreciated amenity.  The bedroom comes basically furnished and unless we buy lots of clothes here (doubtful) we won't be fighting for wardrobe space.  We could use a simple radio; the TV programs are lots of reruns and lots of sports (rugby, soccer, cricket); I just want to hear some good "NPR" type programming.