Classes tomorrow . . . Walking today!

Because my classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, even though classes started today and therefore, there were no organized activities except for the "The 39 Steps," a comedy at the Criterion Theatre. I was amazed at what they were able to do with a cast of four!

After lazing around this morning, I set out on my walk. I had a mission in mind: I needed by buy a train ticket for my trip to the countryside on May 20. I walked to a place where I was told that I could get a student discount. No such luck as they only discount trips out of the UK. So, I walked some more to a train station and was fortunate to get a guy helping me who was very patient with all my questions. As I was leaving, I was looking at my map and for the first time a Brit came up and offered help! I was so impressed! He, too, was very patient. He gave me directions to the British Library! I didn't go in (surprised?), but though it was quite impressive! The red sign quoted Stephen Fry, "An original idea can't be too hard. The Library must be full of them." Then it encourages you to step inside for "a spot of free thinking."

Just past the library is the rail station where I will be traveling out of. Wow! The St. Pancras station is quite the place! From the outside (pictured) you would never guess that it is a train station! But, inside, it is as modern as can be! There is a huge set of the olympic rings overhead. They are quite excited about the Olympics. Without exception, everybody who I've heard that have entered the lottery for tickets hopes they don't get all they requested because they spent way too much! The international train station used to be at the Normandy stop. On our bus tour the other day, someone said that they had heard that the French were offended when they came into Paris that they had to arrive at a stop called Normandy! The guide laughed and said that it really was just to better accommodate the traffic for the Olympics!

From there I walked all the way back near the Study Center, but cut across. I was determined to get to the River Thames! I passed the "Goodenough College" (I thought that was hilarious!) and a park that had a sign that indicated that adults were not permitted unless accompanied by a child! Can you imagine? Of course, being the compliant one that I am, I didn't go though!

I made it to the river at the Waterloo Bridge! Unfortunately, it wasn't until after I walked down the 64 steps to get to the edge, I had the sick reality that I'd have to walk back up! Fortunately, I walked a ways up/down river and after enjoying the Victoria Embankment Gardens, I was able to find a way up avoiding all those steps! I think that the gardens throughout London might be my favorite thing when walking. I am just so glad that they have kept this space set aside and, for the most part, people use them! I may have mentioned that the parks in the squares used to all be private, allowing only the residents of the square to use them. Most are now open to the public.

During my walk, I saw two memorials to the July 2005 bombings. One was at the site and listed the names of those who were killed. The other was in the Victoria Embankment Gardens. I was most touched by the one at the site. It had flowers which clearly had been placed several days before. There was just something about the two flags, side by side, at such a place.