Third Day in London

Saturday morning, I literally had to drag myself out of bed. I decided that I needed an easy day, so I went on a 40-minute run back over to St. James’ Park. For breakfast, I snatched a bowl of porridge at a local café and then traveled with the group to the Tate Museum. This museum holds a wide collection of famous works of art—mostly paintings and portraits. For our class, we were instructed to find art that related to the British landscape and the elegiac form. I took some detailed notes and made a quick outline for my next essay. I’ll have to admit, I felt quite studious carrying my notebook around, pen behind ear, with a look of artistic concentration and quiet reflection upon my face. Well, after the museum we tubed over to the home of John Keats, a famous British poet. His house was quite picturesque, with a lovely garden area and sitting room. I could easily imagine the young Keats, sitting in his garden and carefully crafting the lines to “Ode to a Nightingale” as the gentle birds sang in the trees above him. After Keats, we had time to explore on our own. Our first stop was at King’s Cross train station. I’m afraid that the workers at King’s Cross have become a little fed-up with Harry Potter fanatics…they weren’t very friendly. Since we were lost we tried asking one of the attendants for directions: “Excuse me sir, but could you tell me where I might find Platform 9 and 3 quarters?”
The bored looking train attendant, rolled his eyes and pointed us back to the front of the station. “’Round the back, turn left.” Of course, once we arrived, we soon discovered that it was just a brick wall with a sign and half a luggage trolley sticking out from the wall. Still, it was cool to take pictures.
After Platform 9 ¾ we stopped at Baker Street to visit that renowned Sherlock Holmes. The line to get into the museum went all the way down the street, so regretfully we only got to look in the gift shop. Still, it was fun to actually be on Baker Street. I then went back to the flat for a short rest. At 6:00, it was time to meet Dr. Stewart at Primrose Hill.
Here is what I wrote in my journal…
I’m sitting on Primrose Hill, the highest point in Regent’s Park. It’s a Saturday evening and we are all enjoying a picnic of fresh bread, cheese, strawberries, peaches, and cherries. It is absolutely delicious. The fruit in Europe is so sweet—perfectly ripe like the produce purchased at a Farmer’s Market. We laugh and tell stories and watch the sunset over the hill. A landscape of London stretches before us. I see the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Zoo.
Other people sit on blankets around us—families with young children, a group of friends and a summer salad, a pair of lovers holding hands. It’s a place to escape in London, to feel on top of the world and see the city beneath your feet. The sun warms our backs, the sky is a light, wispy blue. I never dreamed I’d be here. I am so blessed to have this experience—to see the world, to meet new people, to have this adventure. I put my pen away and watch the sun settle behind the hill.