Yesterday I went to church at All Soul's Langham Place. It looks the most like an American church from the inside of all that I have been to this semester in my opinion. I have been to the church once before, and last time I was there, I left a book. I checked today to see if anyone had found it, and no one knew anything. I hope its second owner enjoys it as much as its first did.
After church, Emily and I went to Starbuck's. I know Starbucks is an American thing, but I can't help going in there. I have successfully avoided McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and a few other American places, but Starbuck's is one I cannot excuse. Anyways... I enjoyed a VENTI americano before we headed to Hyde Park for Speaker's Corner. Speaker's Corner is an area of the park where public speaking is "allowed" and encouraged. I think the government focuses it here so that it will seem unacceptable in other parts of town. Either way, it's a popular spot on Sunday afternoons and I had yet to see it so I thought I would check it out. Unfortunately, however, I got rained out AGAIN this week. We were forced to go shopping. Such a shame.
I went to Primark which is basically the best store here. It's like an Old Navy sale all over the store and it is always packed with tourists and locals. I love it. It's mad chaos, and you feel like you have to run through the store as if to beat other people to the best deals. It's such a thrill.
I left Primark and took the Piccadilly line to Russell Square where I met Roger. Once a month in London they have antique and second-hand book fairs in Bloomsbury. I have missed the past two months, and I was determined to make it to this one. I bought used copies of Shaw's Pygmalion, The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, a book of traditional nursery rhymes, and some sheet music with songs about London. It was so neat. I touched books that are worth more than my life and talked to some of the dealers. They are crazy about their books. It's all really quite fun. I also picked up a book that used to belong to William Wilberforce. (Wilberforce played a huge role in the abolition of the slave trade and was the main character of Amazing Grace). His name was in the front of the book. It was only $1,050.00. I would have gotten it if I simply wouldn't have left that money in the room. Shucks...
Yesterday was the London marathon, by the way, so lots of people were roaming around in their athletic gear. I think 30,000 ran. The oldest was a 101 year old man! Can you believe it?!
Today I got up early and Caitlin and I went to Holland Park to run. I heard they had live peacocks there, so I brought my camera, but never saw them. I put up some pictures. Forgive me if they are blurry; a morning run in not exactly condusive to good photography. I got the papers on the way back, got ready, and went to class. The juniors carried their laptops to class today because class registration opened at noon. It's always very exhilarating trying to get the classes you want. I got all of mine. Our class was a little stressful as it was a political science lecture. Slightly heated debate, but fun. Tomorrow we are going to Parliament.
Now, I am going to try to get a little rest before theatre class starts. All of this has happened today and my friends are still asleep in Alabama...
