Okay so I am skipping ahead to today because I am already getting backlogged on this travel diary thing! Today (with Keith at work, poor thing) I headed downtown alone to pick up tickets for Les Miserables and see the National Portrait Gallery near Picadilly Circus (not sure why it's a circus - it looks more like Dundas Square) but I am sure there is much historical significance to the name which wikipedia would happily provide. Aha, to wit, "in this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning 'circle', is a round open space at a street junction". Well there you go. One issue with navigating in London that I am having is that it is difficult to navigate in London! The streets run all over the place, and change names at least eight times when you're still arguably on the same road. So while it took me more than half an hour to
find the location of the Queen's Theatre where Les Mis is playing, it is probably 6 minutes from the tube station. I suppose that is part of the adventure part of this adventure. Also it is likely a sign that I should buy a map of London. The National Portrait Gallery is fantastic.
One thing I love about travelling is getting to see paintings and objects that I have seen reproduced a million times "live". It really is thrilling. This year I have been lucky to enjoy that thrill in several places - the Eiffel Tower, the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and the Mona Lisa in Paris - Klimt's The Kiss in Vienna, and now famous portraits of Henry VIII's wives and Elizabeth I in London. And on Friday I will be reliving my childhood obsession with Les Mis. I could get used to this whole "not working and not going to school" thing I have going on. The only complaint I can muster, as a Canadian, is a disappointing tea-and-donut experience. I paid £2.00 for a donut (hot? since when should donuts be heated?) and £2.50 for tea!? Where is Tim's when you need him?
Okay so I am skipping ahead to today because I am already getting backlogged on this travel diary thing! Today (with Keith at work, poor thing) I headed downtown alone to pick up tickets for Les Miserables and see the National Portrait Gallery near Picadilly Circus (not sure why it's a circus - it looks more like Dundas Square) but I am sure there is much historical significance to the name which wikipedia would happily provide. Aha, to wit, "in this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning 'circle', is a round open space at a street junction". Well there you go. One issue with navigating in London that I am having is that it is difficult to navigate in London! The streets run all over the place, and change names at least eight times when you're still arguably on the same road. So while it took me more than half an hour to find the location of the Queen's Theatre where Les Mis is playing, it is probably 6 minutes from the tube station. I suppose that is part of the adventure part of this adventure. Also it is likely a sign that I should buy a map of London. The National Portrait Gallery is fantastic. 
One thing I love about travelling is getting to see paintings and objects that I have seen reproduced a million times "live". It really is thrilling. This year I have been lucky to enjoy that thrill in several places - the Eiffel Tower, the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and the Mona Lisa in Paris - Klimt's The Kiss in Vienna, and now famous portraits of Henry VIII's wives and Elizabeth I in London. And on Friday I will be reliving my childhood obsession with Les Mis. I could get used to this whole "not working and not going to school" thing I have going on. The only complaint I can muster, as a Canadian, is a disappointing tea-and-donut experience. I paid £2.00 for a donut (hot? since when should donuts be heated?) and £2.50 for tea!? Where is Tim's when you need him?
Let's Go Guides is celebrating 50 years in the business as I discovered when I googled inexpensive restaurants in London and found the this website (can't bear the thought that you are the best meal for the best deal)-
ReplyDeleteCheck out Soho restaurants, the best places to eat in London in every price range at http://www.letsgo.com/12544-great_britain-travel-guides-london-food-food_by_neighborhood-soho-c
Thanks for the latest update,Clare. Hope you're first days at your new school are going well, Keith. Cheers, Margie
I meant to say: can't bear the thought that you are missing the best meal for the best deal.
ReplyDeleteMargie