Pieces like the Rosetta Stone get their own display case and sit center-stage as they should.
The Assyrian Lion Hunts get their set of rooms, and the carvings are impressively complete.
The bust of Ramses commands attention, much like he did in life. '
And the mummies exhibit is impressive.
Greek philosopher heads are fun...
And how about this replica of the Parthenon Acropolis?
The Elgin Marbles are blowing my mind. I never thought I'd see so much.
The range of the collection is unbelievable. From ancient Egypt to Greece to Central America...I just wish they had better curators. Some things are just put in random places or in settings that dampen their appeal. Take this turquoise serpent, for example. Its size is colossal, and it is magnificent. Naturally, they stuck it in this dark case where you can barely see the color.
Other fun finds: The Lewis Chessmen make want to lose at chess again, and the Sutton Hoo helmet if proof that vikings don't wear horns. But I kind of wish they did...
This treasure is incredible, I HATE PEOPLE. Disrespectful morons are everywhere, and it seems they congregate within these walls. Crawling over the pillars, touching exhibits that the government lacks the budget to encase. Seriously, there was a woman stroking a sarcophagus and encouraging her young children to do the same. It's clear they don't have enough money for adequate security, and as a result, many of their priceless artifacts won't be around for long. I love that the museum is free, but they need to start charging so that people will stop destroying everything that matters.
Okay, rant over, time to manage the blood sugar with fresh lemonade and a Beef Pasty. I love meat pies, and this one is heavy, like a less-liquid stew in a multi-layered crust. I even ate the peas.
The theater. WOW. I can't believe I'm sitting here, in these shockingly affordable box seats, looking down on an exact replica of THE Globe. It's a beautiful theatre. Sun streams through the open air onto the eager groundlings. The box seats are shaded, and we're in the absolute last row so we don't need to rent a seat-back. I've never seen or read Othello, but I know when the casting is right on. Iago is an awkward portrayal, and he behaves more like a sputtering senile than a ruthless villain, but Othello himself is an incredible actor, and Emilia speaks the Shakespearean English of angels.
Othello is a rich experience, but it is a heavy one. We jet off to get a glimpse at Platform 9 3/4 and take a stealth selfie rather than stand in line.
From King's Cross, the British Library lies only a few minutes away. The building is functional-appearing, no great medieval architecture, and not my favorite kind of art, but it houses some literary treasures.
The King George Library is a time-defying collection, and all three stories are just breathtaking. It's even harder to breathe in the presence of the original Magna Carta and a Gutenberg Bible. And as a Henry VIII nerd, there's even a joust list where he appeared as Sir Loyal Heart.
It's been a long freaking day. Time forget it all and go on to St. John's for a Bourdain bucket-list dinner!
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