March 11, 2010
An extra vacation day in London, what a treat! I caught the train back down to London, King’s Cross Station. I found the luggage check and dropped my bags off. First on my to-do list was the British Museum. I found my way around the tube much easier today as all of the stations and routes were open. I started out in the Native American section of the museum. The collection had some very cool Eskimo artifacts. Next I found myself it a giant hall that was lined with cases. In the cases were books, shells, stuffed birds, and all sorts of other artifacts. On one table was an interactive display. I stopped by and pick up a dial with dates, months, astrology signs, and hours on it. There were two hands and one had Ursula Minor on it. The chap behind the desk explained that this was used to tell time and was created in very late BC or early AD. It is accurate to 15 minutes.
I continued to wander in search of something specific. I came to the British Museum to see one display in particular and I was getting anxious to see it. I went to the second floor and looked at the clock room. Then I went though some old European rooms. Finally I ask where “it” was. I was so ecstatic when I finally saw “it.” BOG MAN! Or more properly called Lindow Man. This man was petrified in a bog about 2000 years ago. The acids in the bog preserved this man who died a terrible death. Bog Man had several holes in his scull and a rope around his neck (although this may have been ornamental). This was the highlight of my British Museum trip.
After Bog Man, I found the café and sat down for a bite. I thought I was getting langoustine and salad; what I got was a clawed monster and soup. Translation issues in England? I thought they spoke English here. It was an ok meal. Next I went to see the mummies. They have some excellent mummies there. I even saw some mummified animals – cats, monkeys, baby cows.
Next stop was the Tate Modern. On the way there I saw St. Paul’s Cathedral and found a Starbuck’s. The Tate Modern was…interesting…bizarre. These bizarre things included: a canvas painted red, a canvas with a hole cut in it, a mirror, a pile of old clothes, a movie of a person tarring and feathering themselves. Art…it is everything and nothing. Now there were a few famous folks in there that I recognized. Picasso for one had several pieces there. He is not a favorite of mine, but there was another guy that I do like. Dali. They only had one painting there that I really liked, but this made the Tate worth going to.
After the Tate, I stopped and looked at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. Then I caught the train to Heathrow and to my hotel. I have an early fight tomorrow to start my greatest adventure ever.
Is this really famous art?
An extra vacation day in London, what a treat! I caught the train back down to London, King’s Cross Station. I found the luggage check and dropped my bags off. First on my to-do list was the British Museum. I found my way around the tube much easier today as all of the stations and routes were open. I started out in the Native American section of the museum. The collection had some very cool Eskimo artifacts. Next I found myself it a giant hall that was lined with cases. In the cases were books, shells, stuffed birds, and all sorts of other artifacts. On one table was an interactive display. I stopped by and pick up a dial with dates, months, astrology signs, and hours on it. There were two hands and one had Ursula Minor on it. The chap behind the desk explained that this was used to tell time and was created in very late BC or early AD. It is accurate to 15 minutes. 
Is this really famous art?
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