London the musical

Today I had two of the highlights of the trip so far and things I have wanted to do for years. This morning I visited the national gallery where I was gobsmacked by the art. After teaching kids about art history for the last 10 years it was great to finally lay my eyes on. Monet and Van Gogh artwork in person. Snuck a couple of photos then spent the rest of the time worried that the guards were after me. After the gallery we found a lovely bar to have a mulled cider although it wasn't that cold today. The puffer jacket hasn't been on all day.

Today I visited the. Sth African embassy and the Nelson Mandela statue that he unveiled at Westminster. 

The afternoon consisted of a very long river cruise on the Thames. From here it was a rush to get home have tea and back into Piccadilly for THE show.

I have been observing people on the subway and my own experience of it so far. I wonder how you can do that day after day. Walking in a pack all going the same way... Turn, climb steps turn down escalator. It feels like I would imagine it was like going into the gas chambers. And then once on the subway no one interacts with each other. faces are sullen looking as if they are on the tube to nowhere. That's my opinion anyway.

Back to the show. Pre performance wine(7£)on the balcony a spare in my pocket for later and then it was on. Amazing, I couldn't take my eyes from the stage. The music, costumes, acting were more than I could have imagined it. I was mesmerized and hanging on to every note. As I leaned forward in my seat to see around the pole that was in the way in our restricted view seat. (Couldn't afford the others lol) home again on the subway and this time we were packed in like sardines.

Relaxing day planned for tomorrow, shopping at harrods and then drinks with Courtney and Lucy tomorrow night.