I have been through London several times over the past ten years but only had stopped twice for a few days to sightsee. On my life list of things to do has always been to attend an English Premier League football match. I have managed to fit in two this weekend. More to come on that later.
There is also a part of me that I think was secretly trying to escape the election and all the nastiness and vitriol that has come along with it. The process is too long. I voted a couple weeks ago and just wish the calls and ads would stop. I stopped counting at one point, but there were about 19 fliers and TV spots about why the other person has failed or is somehow inadequate for every one mention of what a candidate will try to do and how. It appears however that I was not able to run away from it. One of the London papers calls it "The longest, gaudiest, silliest election." Refreshing to see how outsiders view it. Not sure I could have phrased it better. It will be over soon. Whichever way you lean, go vote. Your vote is your voice. Don't be silent.
I spent much of Friday running around securing my football needs, but did decide I needed to visit the British Museum since it is open late on Fridays. I have heard that it is big. Indeed. I am almost glad that I knew I did not have enough time so just went to one section. I made a quick run through part of the Greek section, decided I would not try and figure out who has the upper hand in the debate on ownership there, and went up to the history of the British Isles. Not sure why, but it seemed like I should. Long story short, Blah blah Druids, blah blah Pagans, then in 43 AD the Romans came and fixed it all up spiffy and the empire stole (or not) everything from the Greeks.
Actually I got completely distracted by an exhibition on clocks and one on money and before I knew it, I was being shooed out by the docents. OK, OK, I need to go back and spend more focused time there now that I know the extent of the collection they can show at once. Impressive, and well worth a stop any time you are in town.
A couple of other things have struck me on this trip. First is the food. I don't recall in my previous visits being impressed by the dining options. I always thought there were better selections than all the old jokes. It just seemed to me that there are even more interesting variety to be found this time around. Maybe it is that I was far afield of the tourist areas for much of this stay, or maybe there is more and more influence by the immigrant population. Perhaps a little of both. The pasties and pies are still good. I like that the fish and chips come with peas. There are just many more Asian and African choices. Outside one of my tube stops there was a Polish deli, next to a jerk chicken place, across from an Afghani take-out. Nice.
The second surprise has been the significant number of people who are not speaking english. Yeah, the tourists use many tongues, but in the Tottenham neighborhood, in the area outside the museum, out in Shepherd's Bush often I do not hear English. And when I do, it is a British accent on foreign speech that makes it almost impossible for me to understand. Perhaps that will get my ear in shape for Scotland. I expect that there will be challenges there too.
One last bit of culture before I leave London was to stop by Westminster Cathedral for the Sunday evening organ recitals. Impressive. Tonights was a Sonata on Psalm 93. I don't know that much organ literature, and even less Psalmisms, but the performance was exceptional and free. A very nice way to end three days in London.
- Uncle Phool
Location:Cardington St,London,United Kingdom
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