Another beautiful day in the UK
It is Wednesday 10:30am in London and today looks to be a beautiful sunny day and I'm looking forward to another day of walking the streets and checking out all London has to offer. Monday I was planning on doing a museum tour but lucked out as Ruth had to take the day off to send her family back home after their trip. We were able to connect and since she is a merchandiser and buyer for BHS (British Home Stores) I was able to hit a few secret areas of London where dept. stores unload their overstocks at rock bottom prices. Linen suit, £35! I felt bad for running Ruth around central London on her day off doing what she normally gets paid for but we had a great day. Thanks Ruth!
On Tuesday, I put my museum plan into action and visited the Natural History Museum first. I was impressed with the building alone but the exhibits contained within were unbelievable. I believe most all museums in London are free and that's an amazing feat considering the amount of traffic they see on a daily basis. However, with 17% sales tax I can see how this is possible! I saw the dinosaur, Earth sciences, and Darwin exhibits. Amazing all.
I next visited the British Museum. This has been my favorite so far. Here's a typical conversation I had at the info desk.
"Excuse me, can you tell me where the Rosetta Stone is?"
"Yes, thru those doors on your right, take a left and it's straight ahead."
"Thank you very much."
"Cheers."
What?! THE Rosetta Stone! I don't know why Napoleon's army didn't just ask at the info desk. Really helpful people there. Besides one of the greatest literature finds in mankind's history, which was the key to deciphering Egyptiann hieroglyphics, the British Museum also houses many carvings from THE Parthenon, stone carvings from Mesopotamia, Babylon!, mummys, Egyptian sarcophaguses, etc etc ad naseum...
Wow. Truly an amazing place and one you must visit if you have the chance.
Last night Paul came back into town from Brighton and we had dinner out with John and Ruth. It was a short evening as we were all tired but I believe we'll be joining a few others Thursday night for another get together. I've heard rumors of Lottie and Sara joining us so I hope to see them again as well! I'll have to update this blog better about Scotland when I can get all my thoughts together, but I'll never forget listening to Paul's newly acquired Richard Pryor CD as we were driving thru the Highlands. I'm sure that's a journey not many have taken. Fantastic stuff!
Oh yes, Thursday. The day I was supposed to be back home. Well, I've done it again and pushed my departure back until Monday. One last weekend in London will hopefully be enough but you never know! Just having too much fun and regardless of when I leave I know I'll be back soon!
Hope all is well with everyone and I'm looking forward to returning and joining my good friend Jim in Maryland for a Wilco concert towards the end of the month in the same venue we saw Radiohead at last year. Can't wait! Alright, enough of this. The sun is shining and I have a tube to catch to Hampstead Heath which is supposed to be the premier outdoor spot and park in London. Perfect day for it!
-Chris
On Tuesday, I put my museum plan into action and visited the Natural History Museum first. I was impressed with the building alone but the exhibits contained within were unbelievable. I believe most all museums in London are free and that's an amazing feat considering the amount of traffic they see on a daily basis. However, with 17% sales tax I can see how this is possible! I saw the dinosaur, Earth sciences, and Darwin exhibits. Amazing all.
I next visited the British Museum. This has been my favorite so far. Here's a typical conversation I had at the info desk.
"Excuse me, can you tell me where the Rosetta Stone is?"
"Yes, thru those doors on your right, take a left and it's straight ahead."
"Thank you very much."
"Cheers."
What?! THE Rosetta Stone! I don't know why Napoleon's army didn't just ask at the info desk. Really helpful people there. Besides one of the greatest literature finds in mankind's history, which was the key to deciphering Egyptiann hieroglyphics, the British Museum also houses many carvings from THE Parthenon, stone carvings from Mesopotamia, Babylon!, mummys, Egyptian sarcophaguses, etc etc ad naseum...
Wow. Truly an amazing place and one you must visit if you have the chance.
Last night Paul came back into town from Brighton and we had dinner out with John and Ruth. It was a short evening as we were all tired but I believe we'll be joining a few others Thursday night for another get together. I've heard rumors of Lottie and Sara joining us so I hope to see them again as well! I'll have to update this blog better about Scotland when I can get all my thoughts together, but I'll never forget listening to Paul's newly acquired Richard Pryor CD as we were driving thru the Highlands. I'm sure that's a journey not many have taken. Fantastic stuff!
Oh yes, Thursday. The day I was supposed to be back home. Well, I've done it again and pushed my departure back until Monday. One last weekend in London will hopefully be enough but you never know! Just having too much fun and regardless of when I leave I know I'll be back soon!
Hope all is well with everyone and I'm looking forward to returning and joining my good friend Jim in Maryland for a Wilco concert towards the end of the month in the same venue we saw Radiohead at last year. Can't wait! Alright, enough of this. The sun is shining and I have a tube to catch to Hampstead Heath which is supposed to be the premier outdoor spot and park in London. Perfect day for it!
-Chris
Labels: british museum, hampstead heath, highlands, london, natural history museum, radiohead, rosetta stone, scotland, uk, wilco