Tourister Touristy!

I arrived in London Tuesday the 21st around 1pm. My flight was scheduled to leave Vancouver at 6pm but was delayed several hours which made for an even longer journey. As I sat on the plane waiting for my seat mate I eyed everyone down hoping some of them would not sit beside me. A young guy from Summerland (living in London) sat down. The first hour was great, he gave me a lot of insight on London and was full of opinions of the people, prices, and destinations. After 2 hours I was ready to pull the emergency exit and push this guy out. He would not stop talking just for talking sake. Each move he made he would describe why or just make senseless commentary, and laugh and make immature ridiculous hand gestures and facial expressions... He ended up getting a bit drunk and popping some Vallium and he was out like a light!

I couldn't sleep on the flight and had not slept since the night of the 19th so I was a bit of a zombie in London. Pat and Lili were there to greet me and after a 3 hour nap we were already headed to the bar! Pat lives in a pretty hip area of London and man are the young folks out of control with their fashion!

Yesterday I went to the Tate Modern. Dali had a exhibition including 6 of his films which were most impressive. My favorite work was that of Meredith Frampton a 20th C British painter. (I was surprised that one stuck with me) Oh, also Francis Bacon had several paintings that were overwhelmingly captivating.

The English women are quite rude. They have no sense of personal space and feel comfortable stepping in front of me while I am viewing art from just a foot away. They have no patience for explaining anything and seem as if they think you should just 'know it'!

Today I did the full tourist meal deal. London Bride, Waterloo Bridge, Thames River, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster, Trafalgar... one street after another full of history I am only just beginning to truly appreciate. History makes more sense to me as I am standing right in front of its remains and not leafing through a book. I realize I took for granted my art history lessons and would (possibly) love to have a chance to take them over, it is only one thing to regurgitate a date, place, artist, medium but it is even greater to understand the why and the how. (I obviously didn't)

I plan to be here until the weekend. Traveling this weekend is a bit prices as it is Bank holiday. Paris is next and then I have a euro rail pass to three countries (Germany, Holland, Czech R.) and then down to Italy.

I don't really miss home but I think about it often.

goodbye and love,

LAURA