London, Day 2: Part 2
I’m finding that the more I get into this trip the less time I have to put into the Journal here, so I’ve been keeping a shorter journal just to remind myself what I did do so that when I have the time, maybe on the flight home, I can write it up in more detail. Here’s a run down of how we finished Day 2.
* Rich pointed out during lunch that the population of London varies dramatically. While there may be 3 Million permanent residents, tourism and schooling is so huge here that there may be another 3 Million non-permanent residents here to check the city out, or to get an education. No wonder why on every cross walk are printed instructions to Look Left or Look Right when crossing the street. Believe me, it’s handy at times. Only once so far have I almost been run over by a cab.
* Went to the Virgin Megastore on Oxford Street. Pretty much the same as in the states, just a totally different selection. Picked up a techno collection CD and also the first season of “The Office” on DVD. Looks like I’ll be needing to purchase a multi-region DVD player.
* Visited Forbidden Planet and Gosh Comics in London. Forbidden Planet is the local chain comic shop, with many, many locations. Nice store, but Gosh Comics, while smaller, had a much more impressive selection of Graphic Novels. Nice place, and conveniently located across from the British Museum.
* Went to the British Museum. Checked out history from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone.
* That night Arune and I enjoyed an incredible Indian meal at a restaurant right down the street from our Hotel (which for those of you who know London, we’re down the street from the Gloucester Road exit on the Picadilly Line). Arune being Indian knows Indian food and said this was of a great quality. Local critics praise this place.
* That night we made our way to Lecster Square to check things out there. This is a main locals and tourist destination in London filled with movie theaters, clubs, live theaters, restaurants, casino’s, etc … it’s got everything. Also this night was the UK Premier of “The Matrix Reloaded” and apparently all the stars came out to the Odeon Theatre in Lescter Square and we just missed them, but a large crowd was still there, waiting to see them come out. We walked all over Lescter Square, stopped in a pub for a pint, then headed home around 11:30.
* Observation: London is a city full of sirens. About once an hour you’ll here one.
That pretty much wraps up Day 1. I’ll come back later for more from Day 2 in which we saw the Houses of Parliament, Nelsons Column, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Tower and the London Bridge. Plus, Arune and I took in a play, seeing “Dance of Death” starring Sir Ian McKellan (Magneto in “X-Men” and Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings”).
