More London Stuff

After getting over day one jet lag we have thoroughly enjoyed the London scene. I am finding writing this blog and trying to be insightful and clever at the end of these very long days trying. So…. Just the facts maam. Monday Hannah took us to Bloomsbury where we visited UCL campus and Goodenough College. Her environs for her studies. We also visited the British Museum ie stepped in the door and took in the magnificent main hall complete with totem poles from coastal BC. Interstingly the other BC reference we came across was a black and white film taken in the 50's by a Mexican surrealist artist of the BC coast complete with images from coastal first nations communities, breaching dolphins and fishing boats - this was displayed at a so so show at the Tate modern.

We also visited the British Library where they had a Paul McCartney display in the lobby including his early drafts of songs. Stopped by the lobby of the Standard Hotel, had a very cool dinner at a tiny basement level Malaysian restaurant - Roti King. All the rage as we had to wait outside in the cold wind for about 40 minutes to get into a very basic space with a chaotic kitchen that pumped out authentic rotis.

Up early the next day to catch an Uber to the Excel Center at the far east London, past Canary Warf. A huge shell of a convention centre that would be totally at home in Abbotsford. We were almost the first there and had to kill time before Hannah was able to register and get her gown. The grad ceremony kicked off at 10:00 and took only an hour to process about 150-200 students. It was all quite well done with students from around the world receiving the most mind blowing bachelor, masters and PHD's. Apparently the grad ceremonies for UCL were going to take two weeks - this was only a fraction. Hannah, who was first to cross the stage, was one of a large group from the Bartlett School with the other students being conferred degrees in physics and math. So impressive. We took photos of Hannah and her friends afterwards then all took about a 45 minute tube ride in full regalia back to UCL for more photos. We celebrated Hannah with a great lunch back in Bloomsbury at Noble Rot, a wonderful wine focused spot. Hannah hung with her buds later while Sue and I mustered the energy to walk over to Soho and Covent Gardens. Another long day.

Out early the next day. I walked about half way to Greenwich and cabbed the rest en route to seeing the Cutty Sark on display. Hoofed it back by train in time to meet Sue at the Tate for the aforementioned Surrealist show. Hannah hung out at a reading room while Sue and I went to Hyde Park, rented bikes and rode around Belgravia - so many Rolls Royces! - and ended up at the Saatchi Gallery where there was a pretty hokey Bob Marley exhibit. Later met Hannah and her friend from Vancouver - Heather McCandless - and went out for a great Italian meal in the Angel neighbourhood. We have been seeing so much of the City but of course are only scratching the surface. It is so dynamic and varied.