Today I was self-guided and did not use a tour book. I decided to go to Kensington Park and I don't know if I could have made a better decision. Weather wise it was the most beautiful day I think I've ever felt on my skin. It wasn't humid, the sun was out, the breeze was high, and everyone was at the park. Having grown up down the street from Sugarhouse Park I consider myself pretty spoiled but Kensington blew it out of the water. Its several city blocks of grass and pathways, gardens, statues, monuments, fountains, and people. People playing cricket, tanning, eating, and trying to play frisbee with one hand on a beer. Its amazing. The energy of people happy to spend a day doing nothing at the park is palpable. I got myself an icecream and sat down to watch some of it.
So let me tell you about British squirrels...
Squirrels? you
think. Yes, squirrels. These are not skinny chipmunk like American
squirrels. They are fat, practically domesticated British squirrels.
They will eat out of your hand and harass you for food when they see
that you have some. They are pretty bold at the school, snacking on whole sandwiches that I can only assume they pull from the garbage; and you always
see two or three when walking past the lawns but the ones at the park
were on crack. I saw one scratch its ear with its back foot like a dog.
A statue called Physical Energy. I think its actually pretty cool. I give props to anyone who can get on a horse without a saddle of shoes. Wow the composition would have been way better with the horse's head wouldn't it? Eh, live and learn.
Delicious soft-serve ice cream and chocolate "flake."
People chillin at the park. Remind you of anything?
Such as...
Haha, well that's what it reminded me of. Funny part is I then proceeded to see some work's by Seurat (the artist of above) at the National Gallery the next day. London: both the work, the inspiration, and home of the artist.
Which one do you like better?
Queen Victoria's tribute to her husband Prince Albert built in 1875 which took 10 years to finish. Nothing says I love you like signing the check for a bunch of day laborers to build an overly tall statue using the ancient fortune that you inherited. Sorry but I think it's complex of living in London, you think you have to over memorialize everything. Reference my thoughts on Southwark Cathedral on Day 19. Cause really a nice headstone and some flowers every year weren't enough?!
So picturesque no?
The Peter Pan statue! Given by the author, JM Barrie in 1912.
Cool no?
Irony of all ironies here. I randomly take a walk to the park and what do I find but a Bulgarian festival?! I saw traditional dancing and what I assume was traditional mimery (a mime performed) and it was cool. Then the next day I heard some girls in line in the cafeteria talking about banitza and somehow recognized a little of the language they were speaking. I guess I am closer to Bulgaria over here. Just funny :)
Pretty awesome dancers!
So after my excursion to the park, people watching, and laying in the long grass for an hour or so I headed back to school and got together with cute Miss Alex to go to The Duchess of Malfi. Its a play that reminded me a lot of Hamlet just more gruesome. It was performed at the Globe in 1614 so the language was pretty impenetrable for me. Hopefully it will help prepare me for Henry IV. It was cool though I was surprised to find out the date because I didn't realize that they were so...graphic back in the day. I mean there's hangings, a neck snapping, stabbings, incestuous activity, all kinds of sexual hints (though no nudity thank heaven), and a minute long death scene of two men choking a single woman all done on stage, and the choking of two children implied and heard in the "next room". It was hardcore and the plot could be difficult but visually it was super cool. The last scene has blue lights and "snow" falling on stage. The music was fantastic. The opening scene compromises a dozen or so men in robes holding lit candelabras in low light doing this ritualistic dance/march. And the combination of the music and the duchess' entrance in almost darkness from tall double doors at the back of the stage where she is backlit by a stunningly bright white light was every bit as visually dramatic as Elphaba flying in Wicked. So, not a waste, not my favorite, but free tickets well taken.
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