Castles and Bartering

January 24, 2010

Four more days in London have flown by. These first two weeks have been a whirlwind of Tube rides, museums, walking, laughing, learning, and zero sleep! I never want it to end!

But at the same time, it’s all starting to chaff a bit… I need a few days to myself to relax. Tonight, I’m not doing much. I think I’ll just sit around, drink some tea, and do some homework. I need to prepare for Amy and Kaydi’s arrival next week. I want to take them to everything and everywhere! Ah, they are going to love it.

This weekend was busy, but never overwhelmingly so. A trip to a few museums and the Union Pub filled up Thursday afternoon and evening. We visited the British Museum for my history class. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but that place is huge! And so beautiful. Everything in there is a treasure in itself. Artifacts, mummies, jewels, journals, armor, parts of entire buildings! We looked at the Roman Empire exhibit. They occupied Britain for a bit when London was called Londinium. Next, we headed across town to the Museum of London. Which is all about London, obviously. Again, took a look at a few Roman and Celtic artifacts found buried beneath London. I was really hoping to see the Black Plague exhibit, but it was closed for renovation. Interestingly, our history professor told us that they are constantly finding new things buried beneath London. Every time an old building is restored or a new Tube tunnel is dug, they bring in loads of archeologists to dig up the site. Just this summer they found the burial site of an old gladiator that fought at the amphitheatre over a thousand years ago. But upon further inspection, they discovered that it was a gladiatrix! A female that fought as a gladiator! We tried to see her at the British Museum, but she isn’t on display yet. Isn’t that cool? They are trying to get everything prepared for the Olympics coming here in 2012. They hope to have the gladiatrix and most of the museum work done for that, so there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of construction going on everywhere.

On our walk from one museum to the other, I had a chat with our professor John about the presentation I am to give for the class. He asked me if I would present on the branding and design of the Tube and red bus posters and logos. I’m actually excited for that. It should be very interesting. The Tube almost has its own identity here, it’s like a cousin you like some days (when it is on time) or really makes you angry at times (when your station is closed for repairs). They always have funny little reminders at the stations and in the railcars saying things like, “be kind to your neighbor”, “take care of this station” and “smile.”

Friday… was a disappointment. First headed out to Portobello Road in Notting Hill for the Portobello Market. It is filled with antiques, house wares, and a lot of scarves. The English love their scarves. The market was very fun, but unfortunately, it decided to rain the whole day, so that was kind of miserable. I’m still looking for a new pair of boots. Maybe I will find some shopping with Amy this week. Because I know we will be doing plenty of that! After the market, we walked home, all of us with soaked feet and socks. Wet feet and legs are inevitable here, I’ve decided. There is really no avoiding it.

That night we headed out to St. Martins In The Fields Chapel which is located just off Trafalgar Square. Yes, that is really the name of the church… On our tour last weekend, our tour guide mentioned something about St. James by the Wardrobe Church. Crazy names! Anyway, we descended on the church as a group to hear some classical music. Vivaldi’s Four Season to be exact. It was interesting for the first few minutes, but after the novelty of the church’s interior wore off, the music began to lull me to sleep. Two hours later, the concert ended. I was so tired.

Saturday was amazing. We went to Windsor, took a tour of Windsor Castle, and walked around the town. The town in itself is touristy, but very charming. Filled with little shops and restaurants, it would be very easy to just walk around for a day. And spend way too much money. Windsor is only about an hour train ride out of London, so we might be able to go back when I get visitors in the spring! But the best part by far was Windsor Castle. It sits very regally atop this hill, overlooking Windsor, the Thames, and the village of Eton. Wow. We couldn’t take pictures during our tour, but I took about 250 pictures outside. It is the largest inhabited castle in the world… and the very place the Queen calls home (apparently she doesn’t like Buckingham very much). We toured the staterooms where the queen entertains and socializes. Huge rooms with painted ceilings, gold trimmings, and rich fabric blanketing the walls. Furniture that cost more than my college education and thousands of paintings, most of them portraits, dominated every room. My favorite part? This great hall dedicated to the Royal Order of the Garter. Prime Ministers and Lords are all members of the order, but I’m pretty sure they don’t do much. It’s just for show. And a reason to party in this awesome dining hall. It was adorned with hundreds of plaques, each displaying the coat-of-arms of some duke, lord, or important public figure. Oddly, there were a few plaques that had been painted over and where now stark white. The tour guide said that these represented lords that had disgraced the nation. Their coats-of-arms remain to always remind them of their shame… I thought it was quite funny. Oh, and I loved St. George’s Chapel. Located inside the courtyard, inside Windsor castle. The queen’s sister, parents, and grandparents are buried there. And Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, as well!

What a long post this has become…

Sunday Sunday. Funday. We went to Petticoat Lane today. They have a clothing and textile market every Sunday and it is awesome. Located in Shoreditch on the other side of town, we had to ride the Tube for a bit, bit it was well worth it. You have to barter with the stall owners. Linette, you would love this place. I got three dresses for 20 pounds! Now if I could only find some boots…

Looking forward to this week, seeing Amy, and exploring London some more. Hal, Viv, and I have made a list of about 80 things we want to do… I think we’ve crossed about 20-25 off the list. That is great and all, but now we want to go back to do them all again!

Have a great week!
Love, Kelly