Friday, 17 Aug 2007
Today I headed up to Bounds Green to get housesitting instructions and met Caron’s mom, daughter, and sister. This was also my first trip on the tube, which is impressively easy to use. It was morning rush hour, and as such, crowded and hot. No doubt a pickpocket’s haven. I thought it was interesting that people were mostly quiet and reading or plugged into their iPods, while sandwiched like sardines in a muggy can.

--- brick row houses in Bounds Green ---

Caron and I took Max, the Jack Russell terrier, for a short walk around the neighborhood. Although it is still considered London, there is a much more relaxed suburban feel with lines of narrow brick houses and overflowing gardens along the sidewalk.

I got my first bit of much-needed exercise and went for a run around a couple large local parks. It felt good to get some blood flowing and run on nice grass. I imagine this will become a familiar route this week, while staying up there.

I hopped on the tube back to the City and decided to check out the Study Centre and general Bloomsbury area. It is quite obvious that the University of London and the British Museum are nearby, as the neighborhood has a book-worm meets tourist feel, and is decidedly more upscale than Bethnal Green.

--- FSU Study Centre, where all my classes will be held ---

As long as I was in the area and had no where to be, I figured I might take a gander at the British Museum. I was amazed at how many people were hanging about in the front grounds on a Thursday afternoon. I picked up an audio tour and set about to wander the massive halls. I soon discovered that there was no way I’d make it through the audio tour and I had to practically fight to see some of the exhibits, it was that crowded. At first I was excited that photos were allowed, but I soon decided that is a bad idea in a museum. As if it wasn’t crowded enough, having people stop in odd places or linger by an exhibit with their video camera going, so they can record the printed information is no help with traffic flow to say the least. If I had any thoughts about taking pictures myself, they were quickly dissolved by my irritation with other shutterbugs. I think I stopped trying to dodge or pause for the people snapping a souvenir shot of their loved one next to some artifact. Please. This all was probably not aided by the fact that I was suddenly exhausted. I ultimately decided to just check out a few exhibits and come back another time, as there was just too much to see. Afterall, the museum is free and a block from the Study Centre, so I’ll have plenty of opportunity!

--- British Museum ---


--- it would be interesting to hear about the architecture! ---