Quick stats:
- 2 graphic novels / 4 books read (Educated was great!)
- 20 movies watched (I’ve taken 7 planes in the last week, so that’s a lot of sitting time)
- 1 play watched (Death of a Salesman)
I swear I enjoy living in Melbourne but just been on a bit of a travel kick lately. Travel just seems like the total smart way to spend my time while not working. It’s only the whole lots-of-time-but-no-income predicament, but I’ve never regretted travel ever (even you–five-days-of-food-poisoning–Barcelona).
I had a short two week stint back in Melbourne after Hong Kong before heading out and winter sure was chilly over here. A low of 35F/2C was hit! It’s COLD here. I’m gonna say for sure I expected Oakland winters but it’s chillier by far. I finally gave up and went out and got an electric blanket and I’m so very happy I did.
Before I hit the EU adventures, I wanna share that I went to the Immigration Museum in town (thanks again for the membership, my dear Bay Area bookclub!) and I always am amazed by how similar Australian history is to the US one.
After their gold rush in 1851 (same time as the California Gold Rush), which brought in a lot of immigrants from all over the world, they implemented an immigration policy favoring British migrants over all others for the first four decades of the 20th century. These policies didn’t officially end until 1973! It’s sad to see the settlers being so unfriendly to immigrants when the settlers themselves are immigrants. Fascinating stuff.
It’s right in the policy name. Sigh. 
Reminds me of the good ol’ USA
I hadn’t been back to London since 1998 so it was neat to get to visit again. I didn’t realize how many people would be there now! High school, college, current and ex-Pixar folks all over. It’s such a hub it makes sense but it still surprised me realizing how many folks I knew in that town.
Melbourne is rather far away, so it was a few connections getting to London. Melbourne -> Kuala Lumpur -> Amsterdam -> London Heathrow. I didn’t mind the connections since it just meant more movie time for me. Since you asked: Keeping Up With The Joneses, Alita: Battle Angel, The Meyerowitz Stories and a few David Attenborough docs. Grabbed myself an Oyster card then hopped on the Tube into town to drop my bag off with Anthony.
The best way to stave off jet lag is to keep busy, so I immediately went exploring! Headed past St. Paul’s Cathedral and straight to the Tate Modern. So many floors of amazing free art! The building alone is a lovely huge space to enjoy. Mostly modern art but nice to see Monet and Kruger and such all mixed in. I’d be here all the time if I lived in London.
St Paul’s Cathedral 
Exterior of the Switch House 
The building alone is superb 
Truisms by Jenny Holzer 
Kruger’s work was the base for Supreme’s branding (without permission) 
The Acrobat Schulz by Albert Birkle 
Yup. 
The Turbine Hall in the old Bankside Power Station.
Kept the walking tour going strong and hit up the British Museum next. Also didn’t realize it was free (donation appreciated) and spent ages checking out all the goodies they had to offer. The Egyptian stuff was great but so was the newest Islamic World room. Loved the Money exhibit and the lovely atrium space they had. Apologies to any British, but the museum felt a bit like a glorified trophy case at times. They displayed and treated all the pieces with utmost care and superb detailed signage, which I appreciated.
Parthenon reliefs 
Sunny day perfect for museum-ing 
David Bowie print in the Japanese section 
Hyperinflation art 
Money themed grates 
Powerful art pieces of Saudi travel permission from a husband for wife’s travel 
Rosetta Stone! 
If this makes it so my glasses can now read all languages, it’ll be worth it 
These bath shoes evidently are to prevent slipping? Hmm. 
Great Court full of sunlight 
Great pieces in the Egyptian hall; Amenhotep III here.
Duncan, Sam and Anthony were seeing a play that night, so I was able to snag a ticket and joined them. It was an awesome play (Bunk from The Wire!) but by the end of the play, I’d be up for ~40 hours so I was nodding off. I never knew the story of Death of A Salesman so it was cool watching this version. The cast was all superb and I think it heads to Broadway next.
The Tube was fun to take but I found I preferred taking the double deckers instead. 1) You get phone service, 2) such fun views from the top decker! You can look into first floors and everything (not that I needed too, but it was just kinda neat). I loved the efficiency of double the seats with the same vehicle footprint (most were hybrid too).
The full English breakfast was dreamy. Perfect for a day of walking miles exploring but otherwise would send me straight back to bed for a nap. Tried a cornish pasty and a traditional pork pie, but still prefer an Aussie meat pie. The pasty had too many potatoes and things and I just wanted more meat. The pork pie wasn’t warm (is that normal?) and was okay but just didn’t do it for me. Had to eat some Indian food while I was there so did get some tasty curries and such in. The coffees definitely weren’t anything to write home about, but Melbourne has spoiled me in that respect.
That hit the spot. 
Kind of Spam-like, which isn’t a bad thing 
Superb Indian grub 
The crust-to-filling ratio seemed off 
So many more potatoes and onions I didn’t know to expect
Couldn’t not visit the British Library–the largest national library in the world. Saw Turing’s Enigma Machine and there and the Magna Carta! Loved how they displayed the King’s library, a set of 65,000 volumes from King George II & III.
I love how it’s so centrally displayed 
Turing was a genius!
The library was right next door to King’s Cross station so I had to take a peek at Platform 9 3/4. It’s a part of Harry Potter history! The official Harry Potter store was packed out (even had to stand in line to get into the store!) but didn’t see anything too critical to own in there. Living abroad has taught me better souvenir and knick-knack management. That combined with carry on luggage only helps keep general “stuff” to a reasonable size.
With the VFX industry going strong in London, it was nice meeting up with some old & current Pixar buddies in London. We met in Hampstead (SO picturesque!) and ate at a spot that was opened in 1585! This country as so much history everywhere, especially compared to the States and the even newer Australia (est. 1901). You kind of have to take a beat to think about how old everything really is.
My Aussie cousin has been in London for a few months so he got to show me around his neighborhood too. So nice to see college friends (some living there and some happening to be in town at the same time) too! Explored Hyde Park and Shoreditch together. I love how much of a hub London is so people are always passing through!
Met Johnny in plant cafe 
Hyde Park was bustling on the sunny day 
Kathy’s splitting time in London and HK 
Got to meet the newest member of the Long family.
A high school friend of mine lives north of London so I hopped on a 3 hr train to go visit her and her family. My geographic knowledge of the area isn’t great so I had to look it up and it’s just a ferry away from Isle of Man. It’s the most north I’ve been so far in the UK but I do plan to return. She’s just south of the Lake District, where Beatrix Potter wrote the Peter Rabbit stories.
It was nice to get out of the city and see a bit of the countryside. Castles and one of the most famous witch trials were in Lancaster. I got to meet her family and catch up while we explored the area. The highest part of Lancaster is Williamson Park, which housed the Aston Memorial that has been called the Taj Mahal of the North since it was dedicated to his 2nd wife. Krishna and Bernd gave me history lessons on the War of the Roses and how it inspired lots of the dynasty fights in Game of Thrones too. Things you learn!
Origin of Lancaster Castle still is unknown 
Most recently, it was used as a prison until 2011 
My allergies were going nuts with all the pollen 
It was worth it for all peaceful walking 
Ashton Memorial 
So much waterside walking. Canals and rivers all over. 
What a nice place for Dhara to grow up 
This sign makes sense now 
International school in Malaysia to the UK
Felt like I sure packed a bunch in a few days so I definitely shouldn’t wait too long to return. So many friendly faces to visit and I’ll need more time to explore. Be back but maybe when I live in a place that isn’t a 24 hr travel day away… 🙂
What Em's Eating Now 