Rational Behaviour: Exploration

Well I've had two days back in London, exploring some more sites. Yesterday I spent the morning on some much needed errands (probably my last big shopping trip to Tesco! and then some VERY necessary laundry...). Then in the afternoon I went to a photography exhibit up off Old Street near Shoreditch which featured the work by John "Hoppy" Hopkins. He was around all during the upheavals and protests of the 60s, and befriended (and photographed) all the major music stars of the period. So some great candid shots of The Beatles, the Stones, etc., as well as the protests and beat poets.

(Interesting story: At someone's birthday party, the poet Allen Ginsberg got drunk and subsequently naked. John Lennon, still with Cynthia, and Paul McCartney then left the party, because they thought that was inappropriate in front of "the birds." Nice sentiment, but some three years later John and Yoko were bedding down for peace...) That night was just chill--a few drinks with friends and then sleep.

This morning I got up and went with a friend the the Globe Theatre. We saw As You Like It, which was very funny and quite well done. I'd never seen a show at the Globe, and while it certainly is newly reconstructed, I couldn't quite wrap my head around the fact that four hundred years ago people were standing right where I was, listening to Shakespeare. Just sort of mind blowing (and yes, in true Prole fashion, we got the 5 pound tickets and stood by the stage--really the best way to see Shakespeare, in my humble...and poor...opinion).

Then this afternoon was a long walk through London, trying to take pictures of all the sites I've come to take for granted. Here's on of my favourites, from the Tate Modern looking across to St. Paul's:



We wandered over towards Hyde Park and met some of my friends for a picnic. We grilled up some corn and kebabs and just chilled, along with 5,000 of our closest friends (the weather is BEAUTIFUL!). Also, I had Pimm's and Lemonade, in honour of Wimbledon.

Really wonderful last two days, and I'm hoping to keep up the luck for the next week and a half, then back to the family! Best to all!