Frazier Blog

Woke up this morning after a great nights sleep to the sound of a busy road near the hostel. Got a weak but filling breakfast and was out the door. Gone was the beautiful sun and in were the clouds.

First stop was piccadilly circus, somehow I managed not to see it during my whirlwind adventure yesterday. I now realize that I stumpled upon leicester square during my circles yesterday. I bought the London pass, we will see if it pays off. My route today was a little odd but I had a fun time.

First up was the British museum. Amazing to see and touch (don’t tell anyone) art that dates back to 600 even 1500 bc. The artwork that the Egyptians, Assyrians and Romans created is amazing. They also have an exhibit on the history of clocks. It connected two more normal exhibits but was fasinacing. I did not know that the pendegulm was the breakthrough that made clocks more accurate.

Then it was off to the Tower of London. What a beautiful building. I still am having trouble getting my head aroud that it is over 500 years old. Even weirder to ponder that people lived and were killed within it’s walls. The crown jewels were stunning. I thought to myself, I have never seen such s big diamond and then read ” this is the largest diamond of perfect clarity in the world.” The vault doors made me laugh, as while they are quite large, what is the point if you just let everyone in. I hopped on end of a tour by a beefeater. I’m glad I did not do the whole thing, he was funny but talked a bit too much.

This is where my day gets weird. There was an hour and a half until St.Paul’s churh closed, or so I thought. I rushed to get there with an hour left and 1 minute before the last admission only to be told that they close in 30 minutes. I already thought St. Pauls in an hour was too short so I bailed.

I had no plan so I sat down to look at my map and saw that the millennium bridge was near by and decided I should cross it. I remembered the globe was near by and went to check it out. They were sold of shows for tonight and tomorrow but I did find out I can tour tomorrow until 1230. I walked back and realized I needed to pee. The worst part about a big city is having no where to pee. I must have been in the business district because everywhere I looked there were men in suits. After a fruitless search I found a sign for a public toliet. After a block and a half I got there and it was closed. Ugh. After more searching I found a pub and walked straight to their bathroom. Whew. Now it had started to rain so i headed for the hostel. I was impressed by how many londoners were reading the paper, until I saw the price, free. Victoria station was a madhouse at 6 for the evening rush. So many people all trying to go differnt ways.

I asked man downstairs at the bostel where a good pub was for watching the England match. He said “St. Georges tavern.” after walking much longer than he made it sound and passing two bars with multiple tvs but few people, I found it. Lots of people in a small space with one nice tv. I ordered a
Beer and fish and chips and watched the game. I was suprised how little attetiom people had for the game, lots of side talk and wandering eyes. Yet anytime the ball got close to algeria’s goal the room got quieter and when they missed let out a collective groan.

Met a girl during half time works for an consting firm in DC and he is here for training. Nice girl/woman. With about 15 minutes left in the game and still scoreless the noise in the pub died down and I could feel the tension building. The groans grew louder each time england came close to scoring. The eventual tie at 0 was dispointing, to me as I did not get to see anyone go crazy over a score. And to the locals as they expected a much better showing.

Whew I am quite tired again. Tomorrow is cabinet war museum, St. Pauls and the globe. Leave for Paris at 7pm.

Lanuague Barrier here I come,

Paul