“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
Coffee and Trains
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Not much to say for today. We got a last wander around Gothenburg, complete with a cardamom bu/coffee stop. The rest of the day and into the night will be a train to Stavanger, with a brief stop in Oslo.
A morning at the British Museum absorbing artifacts from our collective past was rewarding, despite feelings about plundering other cultures. Having walked (in 2013) on the Isle of Lewis where someone discovered the Viking Chess Set, we made our way to the room where they are displayed, this magnificent whalebone set with Viking-related pieces. The berzerker took the place of the commonly known rook. The "Berserker" rook is an alternative found only in the Isle of Lewis set, depicting a Viking warrior in frenzy for a battle, so excited that he's biting his shield. Also of interest was the watch and clock room, especially the clock from 1685 with a luminous dial -- lit by a lantern placed inside. (See the 10 lit up on the left clock.) It is my opinion that the London Tube is the easiest underground system I've ever used, not to mention comprehensive and efficient. After a pub lunch of fish and chips (Doug ate the chips, I ate the fis...
We were part of the sea of tourists at Notre Dame this morning. It was worth fighting the crowds to view the interior of the post-fire Cathedral. The beautiful rose window St. Joan of Arc had a special place in the south transept of the cathedral. She led Paris in ousting the English invaders, then was killed as a "witch." With the benefit of hindsight they decided she wasn't a witch after all and beatified her. On the left side of the entrance is another sighting of Saint Denis holding his head. ______________ After a midmorning snack of crepes and coffee (with a marvelous view of Notre Dame), we wandered around the Latin Quarter where all the famous writers hung out in the 1920s -- Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, James Baldwin, and many more . ______________ We passed by the oldest tree in Paris. It was planted in 1602 by Jean Robin, the gardener of King Henry IV. Most trees in Paris live only about 80 to 100 years because of pollution, little water, and city life. But this...
After a rocky start, delays and rebooking, we arrived. After a short rest, did some exploring, then went to the Quaker House for a wonderful exhibit (Drawing Hope) of the artwork drawn by children from around the world, depicting their hopes for peace. This project started with children in North and South Korea, then spread to Belfast, Cambodia, South Africa, Colombia, and more. Very touching. And given the deaths last weekend of schoolgirls in Iran, extra poignant. In our exploring we found a (possibly fake) Banksy mural, reminders to tourists to watch traffic from the right, an insect hotel in one of the ubiquitous parks, an old telephone booth for sale, and a monument to conscientious objectors. A good start to our week in London. "When [one] is tired of London, they are tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." (Samuel Johnson) "To all ...
Comments
Post a Comment