Sexy Ass (londonium part 2)

We alighted from the tube (please mind the gap) at Oxford Street to make our way to Soho for lunch. I think I would know the way from Piccadilly Station but apparently not from Oxford street. However I decisively pointed in a certain direction and we set off. A little while later things were not looking very familiar and S decided to check the map (which was a very small, vague map with only major streets marked on it). It was decided that we were heading the wrong way and we should make a change in direction before we arrived in Norfolk or Wales. Once more S was in charge of navigation and we were back on track. We found Soho where we ambled and strolled. By this stage S was getting tired and hungry (he also has a cold but was valiantly soldiering on) and suggested a groovy burger joint he'd spotted. I thought that I should give up on my plans for chinese food but just as we were crossing the road to burgertown S spotted the gates to chinatown. Hallelujah! We decided to go for a place that resembled BBQ king (having such fond memories of the friendly service there) so we looked for places with ducks and pork and assorted bits and pieces in the window. We checked out 2 places and settled on a third (because they also had dim sum aka yum cha). In the end we didn't have yum cha but we had a veritable feast that started with crispy shredded duck pancakes and a Tsing Tao beer. Bliss.

There was great people watching too. A table near us of 3 young chinese groovers all intently watching tv on their mobiles and not talking to each other, a man who ordered Ho fun noodles who managed to devour them so quickly they were still steaming as he paid the bill and walked out the door. And of course we were near the window where all the action is with the duck and pork being chopped up and served. It all looked fantastic.
S was amazed that after all the food we had I still wanted a chinese custard tart (aka darn tart) but I did so we went to a little bakery, avoiding anything with red bean paste or green tea and purchased tarts. Unfortunately we couldn't buy just one (?) so I trotted away with 4 tarts in my hot little hand.

We again consulted our rudimentary map and headed towards the BM. On the way we saw a wonderful bookshop called Foyles. I'd only just read about it and there it was, so we headed inside. The children's section was enormous and really well stocked. So many beautiful books and so cheap. After purchasing a couple of books for Jack (well it's not as if he has many books) we were back on the street heading to Bloomsbury. We actually found it quite easily, stopping to laugh at a couple fighting with the woman yelling, "Why do you have to walk so f***ing slowly?"

Ah london, so laid back.

The forecourt of the museum is huge and was filled with schoolkids and tour groups and many many people.

As you can see I'm carrying my Foyles bag with books and custard tarts. What a combo. And then you walk inside (trying to avoid the tour groups). We had decided (we had no choice really) that we would skip the tour and just stroll around gazing at the antiquities that had been whisked away from countries all over the world. I always feel conflicted when I visit the BM because it is incredible seeing so many valuable and historical objects in the one place but part of me feels that they should be returned to the countries they were pilfered from.

The last time I was here there was a huge stink about the Lewis chess pieces and how they should be returned to Scotland. I think a compromise was made because some did go home to Scotland but I think maybe 80% of them stayed in the BM. I am glad to have seen them though just for the expressions on their faces. Apparently they were found washed up on a beach in 1831.

Anyway after you walk through the foyer there is a new section in the museum which is a covered courtyard with a cafe and it's really stunning as you can see. To get to the cafe you walk across a glass walkway on the top level which made me a bit nervous (long way down).

So we started strolling through the cultures: Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek and Roman. It was in a section on Greece surrounded by nude sculptures that we overheard an American woman say, "I know I shouldn't say it but they've got some sexy ass." S and I thought that was very funny. Nice to get a bit of culture. We wandered from room to room looking at some things and strolling past others. The sheer volume of objects can be overwhelming an most people (us included) soon succumb to museum fatigue (similar to the fatigue you get looking at many madonnas and child in italy). They walk around with glazed eyes and serious expressions, wanting to take everything in but taking in very little.

Towards the end of our visit (on the way out) we stumbled upon the Enlightenment room. It's a long high room with big windows and lots of cabinets for all the pieces and books collected from all over the world. It's a really lovely room, quite peaceful and fascinating. Apparently all the books originally came from George III own library. Was he the mad one? Anyone?

Anyway here's a photo of S seeking some enlightenment.

Looking at the time we realised we better skedaddle back to the daycare centre to pick up Jack, where he had been for the whole day. We were hoping he was doing better than last week.