Madrid, Toledo, London
July 11, 2004
We're in London now. It's nice to be back in a place where the people speak English. Trying to understand foreign languages all day, even languages I have some practice in the language, wears on my brain.
After seeing the sites of Barcelona, including some Gaudi-designed buildings and parks, we took a nice Spanish train to Madrid. Madrid was as lovely as Barcelon. We spent a day looking at famous paintings by Spanish artists, both modern and earlier. We even had some time to spend in the Royal Botanical gardens.
The next day, we visited Toledo, home of El Greco, the Mozarabic Catholic Rite, and fine swordmaking. Every shop in Toledo sells swords. Even random bakeries have at least a small sword rack. Five years ago, I would have been tempted to buy one, but these days I'm more practical. The architecture of Toledo is an interesting combination of Arabic and Gothic, since it was occupied by the Moors until the 15th century. This occupation is also the source of the Mozarabic Catholic Rite. From what Kim told me, the Mozarabic Rite is a traditional worship style from Medieval Spain. We attended a Mozarabic Mass, and I expected a unique experience. In reality, it was exactly like a Roman Mass, especially to someone that doesn't speak Spanish. The prayers may have been different, but I couldn't tell.
After leaving Toledo, we spent a night and morning on a train to Paris, spent an hour there eating breakfast, and then hopped aboard the Eurostar train to London. We had time after arrival to walk around the area near Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. We even shopped at Europe's largest bookstore. Its famous enough that Bill Clinton will be signing his recent autobiography there tomorrow.
Today we visited the most impressive collection of archeological collection in the world. The British Museum has a huge collection of extremely well-preserved artifacts from the Greek, Egyptian, and Roman civilizations, as well as early Celtic and British objects.
Since I had to interrupt this post since yesterday, when I started writing it, I'll finish up with what we've done since. Last night we attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral, the Roman Catholic center of London. The church is, interestingly, built in a Byzantine style. The mass was beautiful. We tried to get some good pub food afterwards, but most were closed for food service, so instead we ate at a great noodle place called, appropriately, Noodle Noodle.
Today we visited Westminster Abbey and saw the tombs of the English kings, Geoffrey Chaucer and a number of other poets. We strolled to Trafalgar Square, known especially for its massive monument to Lord Nelson. Finally, we shopped at Harrod's, the most extravagant store I've ever seen. It has everything in it, except decent board games. The prices are outlandish, but the bathrooms are gilded and floored with marble. One pleasant surprise: they serve Krispie Kreme donuts.
The weather has been stereotypically English since we arrived. Overcast all day and cold. Its much colder now here than when we visited a month ago. Its also tough to get used to the English schedule after Spain. English people are heading for bed just when people in Spain are starting dinner. It will be nice to be home in 3 days.