After five days in London I’ve discovered that my bag is heavy but I have used almost all of my gear. I think for now I need to be content with lugging a heavy bag from place to place and realizing that once I get there I can leave it locked up in the hostel. I wanted London to be a field test for my gear and a chance to try out my new camera. The problem with doing this in London? There’s so many things to do and see that distractions abound. It’s a double-edged sword. I have plenty of opportunities to take pictures, and I do. But there are so many things pulling me away from learning about my panoramic software or playing around with my blog. I wake up in the morning and am pulled in many directions. It’s a nice struggle to have.
I decided I couldn’t be in London without doing some essential things. The National Gallery with Hans Holbein’s “The Ambassadors” painting beckoned me. So I went and checked out that painting along with others that are my favorites. I walked the Thames from Parliament to Tower Bridge but unfortunately that was in on-and-off-again rain. So I took the tube to Tower Hill the next day to snap some pictures and walk around a bit. I’m trying very hard (and so far succeeding) in keeping within my $50/day budget so I haven’t gone into any paid attractions. That means The Tower of London was out this time. I took a few hours to visit the National Portrait Gallery so I could see the Tudor section. I love checking out the portraits of King Henry VIII and his wives, especially after having read so much about that era the last few years. To look at the paintings and think the original subject and the artist both stared at that same painting really transports me back in history, almost as if I was standing between them as we three study the painting. Speaking of transporting back into history, I couldn’t go to London and not visit the British History Museum. This collection is so astounding it zaps me every time. When I studied abroad in London back in college it took four different visits to see everything in this vast museum. This time I only hit a few highlights, including the Parthenon, the Egyptian section, and the Assyrian section. Since I was right around the corner from 7 Bedford Place, I had to take a nice walk down the street and snap a few pictures of the old haunt.
Many things are the same since I studied here in college, but there obviously many differences too. For instance, the buildings that housed two musicals, Rent and The Phantom of the Opera, now show different musicals. The Rent building now shows Rock of Ages and The Phantom of the Opera building now shows Priscilla. It is very strange to have a picture in your head of a building and all the images of the musical adorned on it, only to now see it with totally new images. It is a feeling hard to convey but I would guess it is similar to seeing the Denver Broncos always play at Mile High Stadium, and then one day they decide that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing there. The structure belongs with the object, and Phantom of the Opera always belonged at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, just like the Broncos always belong at Mile High Stadium.
Londong without a map is asking for trouble. I came to London without a map. Should I buy one? Nah, what’s the fun in that? Yes, I’ve gotten lost more than once on these twisty roads in the last few days. It has cost me a few hours of lost time, but I also got the chance to walk around some new areas in London I’ve never seen before. One huge help since I was here two years ago is the addition of signs on the street with a map of the surrounding area and your location. These signs are only located in the more popular tourist destinations (think Trafalgar Square and surrounding area) but are a huge help. They look very similar to a Google map, with a picture of the area, important landmarks, and a blue dot signifying where you are. There are also arrows pointing which way you need to head for the different landmarks. This is a great addition and definitely helped me since I am not carrying a London A-Z map book.
Sunday is market day in London, and I headed to Camden Market to check out the sites. After strolling through some stalls and checking out different sports apparrel and funky t-shirts, I decided to head to the other popular market, Portobello. As I made my way to the exit on the tube station I noticed how incredibly packed it was. I knew Portobello was a famous market, but this was outrageous. I made my way to street level and saw a lot of police presence and a huge sign proclaiming “Carnival –>”. Sunday is market day in London, unless it is the once-a-year Notting Hill Carnival. Then there is no market, but instead a crazy parade, lots of street food, and lots of people. I discovered later that this was the first big festival in London since the Tottenham riots, hence the mass police force.
Before the day gets away from me I think it is time to get lost again by one of London’s many distractions.
I’m so envious of your journey! Great to see some familiar shots of London…I can’t wait to go back someday! Thanks for sharing your adventures and I’ll be reading along as you explore!
–Christa (Comfort) Marchant
Thanks Christa! It’s nice to hear from you. It’s definitely nostalgic to walk around all those familiar places. I have been back to London twice now in the last few years and each time it has been great. I’m excited though to move on and see some new places and experience a whole new set of travel stories.
I think your pretty brave to up and go to London with work and all, but this website is pretty cool and you take really good pictures, so I wouldn’t be worried. London looks very different from anywhere around here so it’s nice we can read and see some things they celebrate like the London Carnival. Good luck with everything, Alyssa
Thanks Alyssa. It takes a certain amount of courage to leave work and embark on a trip like this, but I don’t think I will regret it. Having met people that have traveled for six months or longer, and having read blogs of other people traveling the world for years, there emerges a common theme: it has redefined them and they can’t imagine their life had they not made that choice to travel. I’m excited to post pictures and blog posts as my journey winds itself through a variety of interesting cultures and sights.
Brian:
I thought your entree was very inspiring. You are one of the many people that want to travel the world and actually do it. I would like to travel in college and see art museums and architecture. Till then i’m excited to travel the world with you and read more of your stories. Iowa can get pretty boring.. let alone Conrad, Iowa.
Thank you so much for letting us experience your journey with you! I can’t wait!
Karlie (BCLUW)
Thanks Karlie. It takes a certain amount of courage to take a year off to travel but everybody I’ve met and talked to or read about never regrets the opportunity. The world is out there and is accessible. Having grown up in Eldora, I know what you mean regarding Iowa and Conrad. Just remember that there is no secret or special formula to traveling. Lots of people do it and it is within your reach. Once you start, the travel bug sets in and you will not want to stop.
This is really cool that you are traveling all over the world and decided to share it with everyone. I would have loved to been there when they had the chocolate nation event. I’m really glad you decided to do this and I’m sure your having a blast doing it.
Thanks Dalton. I feel fortunate to be able to have this opportunity and I love the idea of sharing my journey with family and friends. I’m sure there are many more “Chocolate Nation” moments to come…
I love that you decided to share your experience freely. Traveling around the world would be so fascinating and it gives you the opportunity to step out of what you know and learn new things about other places around the world. London looks like such a beautiful place, and by reading your article, I can gain information. I think what you’re doing is a wonderful idea, it gives people the chance to experience being in many places they have never been before without actually being there. Pictures are great too, it helps me better understand the surroundings and what exactly is going on. Good luck with the rest of your trip, and thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Katlyn. I am excited to share my experiences with you and your class. Traveling definitely allows you to step out of your comfort zone, which is challenging and rewarding. You become a better person for it, and the people you meet and places you see are the reward. I would also say surmounting those challenges is a reward in and of itself.
I enjoyed reading this blog along with a few others, the Chocolate Nation even seems really cool and I know I would have a lot of fun there if I went! 🙂 I love to travel to different places and see all the new and interesting things that people do and how different places are from others, so getting to virtually travel with you will be for sure fun! I enjoy all your pictures that are on your website, you are a great photographer! 🙂
Thanks Lacy. I definitely tried to stay out of the way since all those rambunctous revelers were trying to smear chocolate on innocent bystanders!
I agree that some of the best parts of traveling are experiencing the different sights, sounds, and tastes of each region. I look forward to sharing the journey with you and your classmates.
I think your pics are very very cool too Brian.
I didn’t know Sunday was market day — on our trips we went to Portobello on Saturdays only and obviously missed the Sunday festivities. Speaking of the maps, I too saw the street maps @ bus stops that point you in key directions — we ended up walking a lot from Eye to Parliament to Trafalgar Sq to Leicester Sq and ending up at Picadilly.. The maps were very nice.
I remain envious, my friend
Thanks Tej. London is great because it is so familiar. I can always come back and see old sites but enjoy new ones too. It has been neat to compare the street markets in Egypt to the street markets in London. Totally different sights, sounds, and smells.