London calling

I was invited, along with my fellow USA Fulbrighters and recently returned UK Fulbrighters, who have just completed their exchange year, to attend a reception at the United States Embassy in London.  A weekend in London?  Twist my arm.
Friday the 21st and Monday the 24th were days off in Scotland, called the September holiday.  I am not sure why, but I happily took advantage of the holiday.  So to London I traveled on Friday.
Here is my weekend in brief:  Friday, arrival--then off to the Embassy.  Embassy reception.  Dinner with USA Fulbrighters at a nearby pub.  We were brought in the back door of the embassy and through the garage to avoid the Muslim protests of the tasteless movie, so I have no pictures of the facade.

But I DO have a picture of my lovely hotel room.  One of the bigger ones, 

I was assured by the receptionist.  This is the view from the door.  

I almost got lost, it was so palatial.

This is the view from the window.  What I did not photograph was
the bathroom.  I was TRULY pleased to find this room came with a tub.
I think the goddesses of travel smiled kindly on me.  I was treated to
my first tubby in almost two months and experienced sublime bliss.
Yes, right here in this very room.

On Saturday, the Fulbrighters posted to England had a day of meetings, which meant that I got the day to tour around London by myself.  So of course, I went to the British Museum to see the Shakespeare's London exhibit called Staging the World.  I am such a museum junkie.  It is a treat to get lost in an exhibit and consider all the artifacts without apology to anyone for taking my own sweet time.  This one was really worth the visit--artifacts to explain some of the more puzzling lines in the plays as references that contemporary Londoners would have understood as popular-culture allusions.  The exhibit captivated my attention for almost four hours.

But first, I stopped off in Covent Gardens to shop at the Doc Marten store.  

Happiness is a new pair of comfy boots, especially for long museum visits!

Saturday evening five Fulbrighters attended a show, called the Cantina at the London Wonderground event.  The Palace performance venue was located right beside the London Eye.  As it was a lovely day, the queue for the ride stretched long and far.  I will have to ride another day.  But it did make for very pleasant photographic angles.

Cabling to support the London Eye

Self-portrait while waiting to grab a seat for the Cantina show!
Without a doubt, this was one of the most spectacular and eye-bugging
shows I have ever experienced.  Incredibly gorgeous performers
achieving incredible feats of balance, strength, and showmanship.

Famous view across the water--Parliament and Big Ben

I did not have to drive, so I enjoyed a Magners or two at an 

outdoor pub under heat lamps-- part of the Wonderground experience.

The London Eye and more juxtaposing angles

Just another happy, lubricated tourist pausing to say "Cider" (not cheese)
during our walk back to the London School of Economics--the very
affordable dormitories, where we moved to for our second night's stay.

Sunday walking around a rainy London, lunch with Stephanie, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Iconic sight.  I wonder if they keep these around for their
nostalgia, since everyone seems to have cell phones?

Elegant lines in a statue near to St. James Park accented by the rain

My favorite (or should I type favourite?) display from the V & A Museum.  

Some Raj hated the British and had this wind up "toy" created.  

See the handle at the side?  When wound up, the tiger rears and bites; 

the man writhes and suffers.  The tiger also growls and the man

howls in pain.  We did not get to see it in action, but the description of the docent was quite vivid. 

Close up of handle and impressive tiger teeth tearing flesh

Close up of the stunned soldier, having one of those
this cannot be happening to me moments in life.

As all lovely things must come to an end--on Monday, I had a 4 am wakeup and start of my car, train, tram, plane, car trip back home to Oldmeldrum.  In case you are feeling jealous, I did catch a cold and spent that afternoon at home curled up under covers drinking tea.  

One final musing to share with you--after my nearly two months living in a small and quiet little village, I stepped off the tube into the bustle of the city and stared, mouth-agape at all the big buildings, the people, and the noise.

I was the country mouse in the big city this weekend.