12-29
Last day in London. I wanted to go to King’s Cross because I’m such a crazy Harry Potter fan, but not only was it under heavy construction, but there totally isn’t a nice, easy brick wall that might potentially make up a Platform 9 3/4s. (I feel like I shouldn’t have been surprised.) However, it did connect to this lovely Underground. The British transportation system is really so quintessentially British. It’s totally fabulous. Mind the Gap indeed.
12-28
Nikki and I spent most of the afternoon wandering through the myriad of alleyways and shops that make up the Camden Market, a street-based market that started in the 70s and has gotten even greater and sprawling ever since. (Found a fabulous OWL WATCH NECKLACE that is very steampunk-y and something I’ve wanted ever since The Soozinater (<–clickable) showed me this Etsy site (<—clickable).) There were a lot of things I might have bought if I had an endless supply of money, but as I don’t, I only got the watch and something for my sissy.
THEN.
We went to the British Museum.
Yeah.
ZOMG.
So we only had about an hour-and-a-half because we spent so much time at the Camden Markets, but we did a quick breeze-through of some of the Egyptian, Grecian, and Assyrian exhibits, commenting ironically about the “benefits” of imperialism. Regardless! Everything was fascinating. The above photo is of a remade monument to nereids, greek goddesses and nymphs of the sea. The carving of the female statues purposely mimics soaked clothing, almost transparent. Really cool.
It all made me sad-faced that I don’t remember as much from my European history classes. From high school. ANYWAY. Nikki and I plan on going back tomorrow to see more. That cool, despite the hordes of tourists. (Have I mentioned that British museums are free? The British Museum is no exception.)
12-27
Spent the large majority of the day at the Victoria and Albert Museum (faaaaabulous) but eventually Nikki and I wandered around the area enough to window shop at Harrods. We didn’t actually go inside, mostly because I’d almost had a panic attack at the Natural History Museum 20 minutes previous. (Who knew I didn’t like dark rooms and small pathways in a total crush of people? Well, now I know.) But! Both Nikki and I fell madly in lurve with this colorful, playful, and exotic display of the mermaid scene during Peter Pan. When, apparently, she offers him some Chanel to keep him under the water. Huh.
😀 A good day! I love museums. I’d like shopping more if the things I wanted weren’t over 50 pounds.
12-26
Tube and a great many buses were closed due to a transportation union strike here in London. As such, we went on a semi-epic walk from Bromley-by-Bow to the Famous London Sites–Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower Bridge (again), the Millennium Bridge (Squee!), St. Paul’s Cathedral, and this weird monument…thing. We also went to a pub for some Fish and Chips. (Chips were fabulous; fish was acceptable.)
Clearly I took many photos of such things, but this photo is definitely my favorite from the day. At an old building probably due to be torn down soon. Also: hey, stuff in English! Sweet.
365 / 三百六十五 