British Museum
So, much like last break, I have decided to make the most of my five weeks of vacation by exploring as much of London as possible (for the three weeks that I’m actually in London, of course). Sadly, I’m feeling a bit under the weather so I’m taking today to get better with the hopes that I’ll be back in action tomorrow! Despite a mini bout of grogginess yesterday morning, I decided to hit up the British Museum at 10A to beat the crowds! I don’t know that crowds were necessarily beaten, but it was still a good way to spend an hour of time. I’m very fortunate in that I live about three and a half minutes walking from Great Russell Street (where the museum is located). In the time it takes me to listen to a song on my iPod, I’ve crossed New Oxford Street, passed a little bookshop that sells all things witchcraft and arrived at the doorstep of one of the world’s best museums.
Despite the fact that it’s in my backyard, I’ve only gone inside once. Sad, sad girl I am. With that in mind, in addition to the fact that I know I’ll be taking my sister and dad there this weekend, I decided to give it a second look so I could get a feel of what there is to see and the sections worth hitting up.
Courtyard in the British Museum
Now, there a few things worth noting. One, the inside is pretty remarkable. I’ve been inside a few times and seen countless pictures, but the glass ceiling is still pretty awesome and the staircase is one domineering sight. Two, if you haven’t been to the museum– it’s big. There is a lot to see. Too much to see actually, so if you’re playing the game right, you’ll have an idea of what you want to see before hand so you don’t waste your time walking around aimlessly (like I tend to do). Granted, if you live in London, walking around aimlessly might be fine since it’s community property, but if you’re visiting, you probably don’t want to spend your whole day inside of a museum. So, if you are visiting, check out the floorplan and get an idea of what’s on your agenda. A few things worth seeing: the Rosetta Stone (yes, THE Rosetta Stone), the Hoa Hakananai’a Easter Island Statue, the statue of Ramesses II and the Mummy of Hornedjitef (mummies are always cool, right?). There are a million cool Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Medieval European things to see, so it may be worth picking your favorite section and going for it!
Now that I’ve been a good girl and have been making an effort to see London, I’m gonna keep up the good work this week. I’m almost done with essay number two of three (quite a feat — I guess being sick and staying in has its advantages), so provided I finish this essay tonight, I’m gonna do some exploring tomorrow!
On my agenda for this break:
1. Visit the National Science Museum
2. Head to the Prime Meridian and stand in two hemispheres at once <3
3. See Avenue Q at Wyndham’s Theatre
4. Check out the V & A Museum
5. Have lunch in Hyde Park (I still haven’t spent any time there!)
6. Proper tea time at the Wolseley <3.
7. Check out a cool film at the Curzon {Soho}
8. Check out the Tower Bridge up close & personal
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I’m sure that’s enough to keep my fairly busy. I’ve started noticing just how quickly time goes and I certaintly don’t want to leave London thinking I missed out on things that were in my backyard! I’m hoping to check a few of these things off my list when my dad and sister come this weekend!!
For Londoners out there (or those that frequent London), are there any underground, must-see places here that I’m missing out on?
Love from London,
Here is a post I wrote for my friends when they asked for some must-see places for London: http://www.asianpolyglot.com/2009/03/london-according-to-wendy/ Enjoy!
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Heey! Thank you, sister!
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