"If you are lonely when you are alone, then you are in bad company."

2/9/09 10:37 PM At British Museum to come see what the British stole from Many civilizations.

11:00PM Walking through Greek pottery and statues. On some, you can still see the brush strokes of the artisans. While walking through the Egypt exhibit, I noticed that most of the statues were made from red granite. Some of these pots were made in 400 B.C. and they still look as if they had just come from the potter. I saw a statue of an Athenian Athlete tying a ribbon around his head. it is one of the few statues that actually has a head attached to it's body. Most of the top of the Parthenon is here in different par of the Greek section. I am overhearing a tour guide talk about how most of these greek artifacts are rightful belongings of Greece, but not by the laws of the British Empire. I can't help but think of Eddie Izzard. We claim this in the name of the King by the rules that we just made up! What is very interesting is the explanation of the perspective of the sculptures on the blocks.

12:00PM Moving through "Greece and Egypt," I found a very interesting painting of the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Ethiopia defeating Italy. There seems to be some divine intervention against Italy. Also, it is very cartoony and somewhat comical with blood coming from foreheads as a dot smeared from a single brush stroke.

12:10PM Medals of Dishonor--Some very interesting small medallions meant to ridicule. There is one of an ass coming out of the water blowing steam. Also, one calling Napoleon a "cockshafer."

12:23PM Sitting in the King's Library which belonged to George III, given to the people and the start of this museum by his son, George IV. Reminded me of the Beast's library that he gave to Belle. All right, I have had enough of the British Museum for one day, now to explore Westminster.

1:25PM Stopped in a small cafe near the National Gallery because it was pouring rain. Oh what I have seen in between here and there! First I am walking from the museum, where I come across "Bookmarks: The Socialist Bookstore!" It was brilliant. I got postcards to send, so Mother and Laura, look in the mail. There were some things that I did not quite agree with that generalized the entirety of America into an McDonalds-loving, bomb-making, oil-crazy maniacs which I thought was unfair. But other books that were spot on in my politics. There is no way such a store would be in America, or at least make a profit. Too many risque thoughts that would not be looked highly on. The reason I walked this was was to find Foyles, the bookstore, and purchase a copy of "As You Like It" for class. Continued down the road to find Leicester Square, the Times Square of London.

Ordered a Beef Burger and Chips with Coffee and water. What is continuing to get me is the phrase, "eat in or take out," instead of "Here or to go." There is always a double take of that when the cashier asks. Still getting used to the cars on the other side of the road. Luckily they have painted on the sidewalk "look left" or "look right." There are J-walkers everywhere, but I dare not follow in their footsteps...quite yet. I have been starting to think in a british accent since I have heard more of that than my own voice in the past few days.

2:15PM Outside the Horse Guard Parade where guards with swords walk very oddly. The one on foot walks with his left foot higher than the other. I started to walk by him, and suddenly...STOMP! He stamps his foot hard. Not straight up and down, but rather to the left and crooked. These guards do not seem to be the biggest of their class. Not one of the is about 5'9" and are all very scrawny

3:07PM Sitting outside on a bench looking out on the Thames in between Westminster Bridge and Lambath Bridge. Right next to me is the House of Parliament, and across the river is the London Eye. I visited St. Margaret's Church, also know as the House's Church, where the Speaker has a special reserved pew right in the front on the south side. I also saw the outside of Westminster Abby, but it was 12 quid to get in so I decided to wait until evening prayer. The service isn't until 5PM so i'll see if there is anywhere else in the area that has a sung service that I can reach by foot. A duck boat just passed by. I can never get away from them. No matter what city I am in, they offer these silly tours.

3:40PM Sitting in Lambath directly across from the bench I in not an hour ago. I can see a magnificent view of the House of Parliament and Big Ben. Absolutely stunning. I have been staring at my map of the central london, stuck here in my journal, and I know this city alot more than I did yesterday, or even a few hours ago. I've hit Soho, St. James, Westminster, and Lambath today and the list will continue. Heading towards toe base of the London Eye, but I doubt I will go on.

4:35PM Sitting in Westminster Abby awaiting Evening Prayer. It is amazing how HUGE these places are and yet how few seats there are for a congregation. Compared to Trinity Church in Boston, or any church in America that I have been to, they cram as many seats into their nave as possible, cutting a pew in half if a column get in the way. Now where I am sitting, I can see a small door in the tower leading to nowhere. It is higher than the buttresses and there is no, at least to my knowledge, visible ledge. This is my first time in Westminster Abby and is it quite breath taking. it is a very scientific chruch, with statues to Sir Issac Newton right on the reredos.

A mass group or class of young children and teenagers just gathered for worship. They seem to be German. The teacher is sharply whispering to them very harshly. There has to be 60-100 kids that just showed up, completely surrounding me. The hymn for the service is Irish 500 NEH, one that I recognize, but do know know.

5:27PM After Evening Prayer. There was plenty of people attending, yet I felt like I was the only one responding to the officiant. And while the Hymn was being sung, I could only hear my timid voice and priests since none of the Germans sang. Such a strange feeling to be surrounded by a crowd of people and feel like the only one there. The service was as English as it gets. The Priest could have been played by Alan Rickman, with a tall droopy face and a monotone voice. The officiant was an elderly nun.

11:55PM Got back from the pub called "the French House" in Soho on Dean St. Apparently it is a famous bar because it was the main headquarters for the French Resistance. I met my friend Andrew Loxley there along with his friend, Giles, who is a spitting image of Captain Jean-Luke Picard. It turns out, Andrew met him at this bar in May dressed in full garb after just coming from the Star Trek Premiere. Also joining us was an old chemistry professor of Andrew's as well as a work associate he met in Boston. Jason actually said he saw a production of "Waiting for Godot" with Sir Ian McKellen that has rush tickets for the front row for only 10 quid! I am looking it up and going. It was a great evening. Soho is a kicking part of town at night, much different in the day. realized that I am already picking up an english accent, only took me two days, a few drinks a 4 englishmen.

Tomorrow I check out of the hostel and move to South Kensington where I will stay for the remainder of my travels. side note: Fanta is SO MUCH BETTER over here. It is the same as orangina since it uses real fruit. So departing Russell Square (where I found out Virginia Wolf lived) and off to Hyde Park. Cheers!