Updates of the Random Sort

In London: What a great city! I walked around feeling not so much lost or invisible as I thought I would, but more enveloped than anything. The London Underground is so easy to figure out and get around in I felt like a seasoned tube-r, but I wasn't travelling during top communting hours, so that might have made a difference, haha. I went to London on more of a spur-of-the-moment travel than anything else and by the time I had arrived in the city I realized that I had no actual place to stay, only numbers of some people to get a hold of. Travelling by yourself can be such an empowering thing! I got to London completely on my own, and while I slept most of the train ride, I did remember to enjoy watching the snowy landscape of northern england- complete with fields of white spotted with snowmen and bundled-up children-, I was only slightly worried about what would happen when I got there. At King's Cross station I decided that the thing I wanted to see at night first was the London Tower Bridge, so I hoisted my bags and went Underground. Came out at the tube and reveled in my complete autonomy while staring happily at the Tower Bridge in all its lit glory.
Of course after that I got a little cold and a little hungry, and realized I didn't want to sleep on the streets, so I wandered for some time trying to find a cafe still open (at 7:30! Do people not want quick snack fixes after 7 here!), finally eating a quiche on a bench under the bridge, shivering and hoping that someone would answer a phone call! At the last moment I called a girl who had stayed in the hotel the previous week with her mother and, after chatting as I served them dinner, had given me her number and told me to call her if I needed a place to stay in London. It seemed to me that I would be needing a place to stay, so I gave her a call. We met at Nelson's Column in Trafalgar and took the tube to her place in South London. She had the lovliest Victorian house in a quiet side of London- definitely a good place to stay that wasn't so touristy and very authentic. After sleeping for months on shitty foam hostel beds, the bed I got to stay in felt like one big pillow and I almost felt like not seeing much of London in favor of staying all day in bed. But I didn't.

In the National Portrait Gallery: What an ingenious idea to tell a story of history! This museum is full of portraits (obviously!) of the movers, shakers, benders, and leaders of Britain's history. Starting out at the tope floor we see the Tudors- including most of the Henry's, Victoria, Elizabeth I and II, Cromwell, and many more- all scowling or looking boredly at the camera in their statuesque poses. And yet it began to dawn on me that these really were the likenesses of the royalty of Britain- the people of legends and history books were here painted with as much care as possible going into preserving their shape of chin and color of hair. I was espcially struck by the portrait of John Donne- the artist had managed to make the poet look like a poet. Complete with searching eyes, pouting mouth, slightly mussed clothing, and a general contemplative aura. Then as you continue thru the rest of the museum we go thru the Renaissance, the Victorians, and into the modern times. It was fascinating to watch the way the poses and the presentations and the artwork changed throughout the years. When I finally reached the Modern times, I was also struck by the continuing circle of metaphors- important artists being represented by artists in a particular art form- it's incredible! Seeing faces of each person who has made such a difference in the UK was inspiring and interesting. Definitely one of my favorite stops. I must also say that I was slightly impressed by the number of portraits of women that were on display.

Upon Returning to Edinburgh: The first time I flew into this city was fully of anticipation- it was my first time in the UK and I was fully of expectation for living here and working here and just generally being in a new place. This time my attitude was much more of a laid back I'm-coming-home, and I surprised myself. Rather than looking around at everything as the new and interesting things they were, I looked at them as familiar and favorite buildings, the "I love this place" theme running through my head rather than a "This place is so different and cool!"

I'm trying so hard to find a way to stay longer here, and I'm not sure that I can. Working, that is. And if I'm not working the money runs out, which doesn't help much at all. But I do love being here and I love the people that I've become close to- wouldn't be the same without them. :o)