I Believe I've fallen in love

Before I left on this big adventure most people at some point made the comment, "You're going to go over their and fall in love!" Well folks, it's happened, and a lot quicker than I anticipated. Now, he's quite a bit older than I am, but extremely cultured and able to entertain people of all walks and interests. That's right, I've have fallen in love with London!! Today was my first excursion into one of the world's largest metropolises. I felt true independence today as I rode the hopper bus, the train, and the tube, all by myself without getting lost!

My first impression of London - aside from love - was pure awe at the history of the place. The buildings are so old that you can't help but stop in amazement that people hundreds of years ago walked the same path! The architecture was beautiful, and many of the streets are so small that they have been turned into pedestrian paths.

My first stop was Covent Garden where I had to meet with Smart Teachers to finalize some of my paperwork. Then I walked around the area and checked out the famous Covent Garden Market.






Next I made my way to Trafalgar Square where I joined many others who were experiencing London with fresh and wondrous eyes. All around was a cacophone of foriegn languages and the swoosh of digital cameras. I sat on the steps in front of the fountain and let the wave of awe pass over me. "I'm actually sitting in Trafalgar Square!!"



From here it was but a few steps to one of those experiences I've been dreaming of ever since my trip to the Netherlands six years ago. A gallery! But not just any gallery, the National Gallery. It was an incredible time. I spent hours walking through room after room admiring the talent, genius, and passion of the artwork. As a looked at the paintings I couldn't help but wonder what it must have been like to live in a time when people were so impassioned and inspired. The depictions of historical figures, Biblical references, and scenery were really quite mind-blowing when they're not on a page in book (which I still bought, to remind me of the experience.) I saw works by Boticelli, Van Gogh, Michealangelo, and Da Vinci. I really can't put into words the feeling of looking at something so beautiful that has been able to survive for hundreds of years, and not just in its physical form, but in the way it can still affect its audience. Some things really do transcend time.

From here I went to the Tower of London. Again, it was mind-blowing to walk wear the famous and infamous have tread. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and was unable to do the tour...lots of time for that though. I do have pictures of the outside.





Next, my favourite anachronism of the day. A man in 16th century dress (I think) filling up a water balloon. Kind shoots a hole in living history impressions.






Favourite Moments:
1) Riding the trains all by myself - I feel so grown up.
2) Viewing the original of Da Vinci's "The Virgin of the Rocks"
3) Viewing the original of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"
4) Eating an apple while sitting by the Thames
5) Talking my shoes off after a long day of walking