Sunday, April 18, 2010

Museums, Inspiration, and a Castle - London

During the week, while my hosts were at work, I would take this road:
Wheathill Road
Into the city. Where I would hop on one of these:

I've been to lots of museums over the past few days. Here are a few of my favorite things (insert tune from Mary Poppins here) from the Tate Modern:
Andy Warhol 
Meredith Frampton
Millenium Bridge leading to St. James Cathedral
What I learned about my self at the Tate was.. that I don't really like modern art. Some pieces were thought provoking, but some were just (in my best "english" accent), rubbish! Give me realism any day. This was my favorite from the Natural History Museum:
Roar! - Please don't eat me  T Rex - I really loved your last album!
Just across the street from the Dinosaurs, at the Victoria and Albert Museum I saw this:
Chihuly next to what I can guess is some really important Saint. (nice to see the Pacific NW in da hiz ouse!)
I really enjoyed the V&A. There was a lot of stuff to look at from all eras of time. They have a gorgeous cafe, and good food, as well. I still need to get to the British Museum, but that will have to wait until another day. I wanted to walk up the street to see this:
Royal Albert Hall (insert Beatles tune here)
As I was standing on the corner about to approach the road on which this icon sits, a man stopped me for directions to the Royal College of Music. I consulted my map, and as it turns out, it is directly across from Royal Albert Hall. As I approached the college, you could hear violin, piano, and cello music wafting from the open windows of the college. It sounded really amazing. It also turned out to be graduation day for some, and there were families with their robed graduates posing for pictures on the steps of Royal Albert Hall. I found a sunny spot to watch and ponder how my life might have been different had I discovered playing music at an earlier age. It made me feel fortunate, and appreciate all that music has offered me in my life, and gave me new inspiration for the playing the guitar.

Next! Kirsten, Javier, the twins and I drove here:
Bodiam Castle
Where we spent the day touring around the grounds and inside the ruins. This was my favorite part of the castle:
the castle (wishing)well
The girls and I threw a few pebbles, with wishes on them, in here. Crossed our fingers, and are presently waiting for our Prince to come.


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