I got home last night and sat on my bed, and then I was asleep... Oops. SO I'm posting a bit late. But here's what I was up to:
First, I walked from my little hotel to the Charles Dickens Museum at one of his houses near Tavistock Square. It took me about twenty minutes before I got there but it was fun to walk. Plus, Google said it would take me about that long to get there by bus - so I figured I would just walk and save some money.
Like many places I've encountered so far, the Dickens museum was highly interactive. They let you touch and hold as much as they could - obviously all the original stuff was safely tucked out of view. Also this is where I learned that in kitchens, to help keep the bugs down they kept hedgehogs indoors. Interesting, no? What an interesting time.
I swear there is something I've been meaning to write about my experiences and thoughts in general... but I don't remember what it is. So hopefully I will remember sometime and write it down...
After this I attempted to get to Westminster Abbey - I got a bit lost and confused... I took the bus for the first time - rode on the top level of course, which was quite wobbly... Anyway. But it dropped me off somewhere I was unfamiliar with even though I knew where the abbey was. So, then I saw signs to Westminster Cathedral which only confused me more... so I walked and walked and walked. Then I asked some people - where the Cathedral was. See, I decided I must have been crazy to think it was called something else... "how embarrassing", I thought. Ha. No, I did not realize there was both an Abbey - famous and the one I was looking for - and a Westminster Cathedral. And they are not close to each other. Ok, yes they are - but not when you are lost, tired, and walking everywhere by this point.
I FOUND IT. Eventually. And it was worth the wait. It was gorgeous. So many people too... (I'm visiting mid-September so most places I've gone to have been fairly sparse since the main tourist season is over).
I loved how much you could feel the builders' faith all around you. It was magnificent. I wish the world I live in still had that faith - some do, of course. Anyway, I saw many famous grave sites which was very interesting - they are buried / marked right in the floor, I felt badly for walking over them but I couldn't get around them. I was most touched by the soldier buried amongst the kings. Their tribute was lovely. And seeing the oldest areas of the abbey were lovely, I sadly had not realized it was that old - I am overcoming some of my ignorance I think...?
I love that the British remember - or at least, their tourist sites are all about remembering things that are important. Also, I must be British because I want to hold on to everything... but I am not as organized or have as much cool stuff.
Ok. After Westminster I went to Kensington Palace. I really must be going now but it was wonderful. I (true to form) got lost a few times before I found my way. It is funny because each time this happens, I almost give up hope, feel to go just a bit longer, and then I find my way. Interesting, no? Anyway - it was wonderful to walk these famous areas and see where so many have lived and died. I was so exhausted though, by the time I got there, that I spent a lot of time sitting down trying to catch my breath and stop my feet from throbbing... There was so much to see there - and people still live there - I believe Katherine, Duchess of Cambridge was in her apartments (in the private area of course) at the same time - so that was cool.
Then I hung out in the grounds for a bit, ate some food (was less impressed here, sadly...), and caught up on the news. Then I planned out my journey to Piccadilly Circus / Soho so I could see Les Miserables. It was lovely and fantastic. And I cried. I feel though, that I could tell that it was just what they did every night - it didn't seem to have the same magic as other productions I've seen - but maybe that is just because I have seen this so many times now... STILL it was wonderful and I am so glad I could see it in the West End. AND the singing was probably by far the best I've ever heard in the previous versions of Les Mis I've seen. So. Wonderful. Also... I accidentally spoke to people in a British accent (version probably), haha, I'm not sure how it came out to be honest - or why... It wasn't deliberate so it probably just sounded awkward. It made me laugh though to hear my brain trying to fit in or something...?
I made it home without any trouble (this time, haha). Which was nice. Then I sat on my bed thinking I would at least put on pajamas, when all of a sudden, I was asleep. So, I decided to stay that way instead of getting up. Haha. Oh man. It is the next day and I could sleep quite a lot more - but I now have new adventures. Hopefully these ones won't take as long so I can find the grocery store, to get food for tomorrow.
Oh and here are some pictures - I am even in one of them I think, well my reflection. And then it is less on purpose, but I am reflected in a few others as well.
Hedgehog, see?
All alone - upstairs...on the bus.
You aren't allowed to take photos inside - plus I take too many as it is...
I had not realized very much about Queen Victoria. She loved Prince Albert so much. This was the carpet... I thought it was cool. Sorry the picture itself is not very good. They displayed quotes from love letters and such all over. It was very nice.
Look, Brianna! They have a pit orchestra (yes, I was surprised when I shouldn't have been)
No comments:
Post a Comment