London

I could not fly all that distance, stay in Oxford and not visit London. So on one of the days, I hopped on a bus and rode almost two hours into London. I settled into my seat on top of a double decker bus and opened my Kindle, only to discover the battery was dead- I must have accidentally left it on the night before! Uhg. So it was much more of a scenic drive than I had originally planned.

Once in London, it took me awhile to get my barrings. Then I bought a tube ticket and ventured to find Trafalgar Square and go to the National Gallery. I had to ask a few locals for help along the way (I am a believer in asking the locals for help with directions and it works most of the time) but I made it to Trafalgar Square enjoyed being outside for a bit, and then went into the National Gallery.

Trafalgar Square

View of Big Ben from the Gallery- the closest I got to it...

If you enjoy museums and are ever in London, go to the National Gallery. Its. free. I saw some De Vinchi, Monets, Van Goghs. Thankfully it wasn't the first time seeing work by these artists and I was better able to control my emotions than I did the first time.

See the beautiful blue sky? Yeah, it was quite dreary and dark where I was. Thankfully the sun came out later in the day. I came out of the National Gallery, enjoyed the outside for a bit, and then went towards the tube station.

Trafalgar Square
 

After the National Gallery I wanted to head to the British Museum (also free). I should mention that asking the locals is not a sure fire way of finding your way. I was sent in circles trying to find the museum. I walked miles trying to find it. I should also mention that I was wearing brand new shoes. Huge mistake. I only packed one pair of shoes- a pair of sandals and after a few days of having rain covered freezing feet, I broke down and bought a pair of Toms -which I love- but they are not great walking shoes for my feet by any means, especially when they lived every day this summer in a pair of Keen sandals. London shouldn't be the place to break in new shoes. The huge blisters were proof.

I made it!

Outside the British Museum- a kind passer by took my picture

Walls and Walls of the Parthenon... I've always wanted to go to Greece and see the antient ruins, and after being to the British Musem I realize there wouldn't be a whole lot to see.

Same thing goes for Egypt and the pyramids... most have long since been raided, so unless one wants to see the outside of the pyramids in person (which I still do), and not the delightful would be contents, then a trip to Egypt would make sense. If ancient tomb contents is what you want- look no further than the British Museum.

Some amazing tomb covered in writings.

the Rosetta Stone

Inside the British Museum

Being in the British Museum was serious business. It was HUGE visual overload. I walked around with my mouth agape most of the time while producing the rather frequent audible gasp. A huge disappointment was having my camera battery die at the museum. Seriously. Batteries dying must go hand in hand with my going/being in London. But if I've learned anything is that memories can live on without picture to document them.

I left, I walked some more, and I made it to a bus stop, hopped back on a bus headed to Oxford and got stuck in rush hour traffic. One would think a place as old and as crowded as the London area would have larger highways/freeways, but its not a wide open place like here in the states. While still in the inner city area, you are literally, a car width+sidewalk width away from homes in places. I guess the crowding creates more insentive for public transit. Anyway, it took almost 3 hours to get back to Oxford. Again, without my Kindle it was a long, dark drive. In the end, even the blister heel pain/scars were worth it.

Tim and I had planned to go into London together the next day but it didn't happen. Tim didn't want to spend the time or money on travel or sites so we didn't go and just enjoyed more Oxford. How glad I am that I went alone and saw my top priority sites. Oh how I love museums! Oh how I love London!
So, are you a museum fan? Have you ever been to London? Is it on a top 10 list of your places you want to visit?