A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

(Hyde Park)

Today we went to Hyde Park for a picnic, and couldn't have asked for a better day. For perhaps the first time since we've been here there wasn't a cloud in the sky. At home an 80 degree day wouldn't have been that bad, but for some reason 80 degrees feels like the high 90s in London. I personally think it has to do with conditioning and the lack of AC; the Brits just don't know what to do with warm weather when they are quite comfortable in the 60s! I was assured during orientation that a gross examination of the weather was one sure sign of becoming British. I think I just proved their point...

(Casey is whining that he doesn't want his picture taken, but Pam's all smiles)

Honestly though Hyde Park is gorgeous, and had I remembered to bring a book with me I could have layed in the sun all day. One of the best parts was the angry arabic that we could hear coming through a loudspeaker across the field. Through the two hours or so that we were there the crowd in that corner intensified to practically a mob. I would have like to have understood what was being said - the crowd seemed quite enthralled.

Next we headed off to the National Portrait Gallery, which was very cool. There were a lot of dead white kings up on the walls wearing more impressive high heels than I'll ever likely get the chance to wear. One of my favorites was George III, because he pulled off looking oh so sheak in endagered fur. Oh to be a Hanoverian King.

(George III)

The National Portrait Gallery is slightly different than the American version in DC. For one, George Washington gets a wall to himself in the states, whereas in London he gets a 1 foot x 1 foot headshot and a description which gives equal recognition to his role in the French & Indian war as it does to his role as 1st President of the United States. There is something to be said for wandering from room to room where the history on the walls stretches out over centuries.

Outside the National Gallery there was a Korean festival being held called Dana. We stopped to watch one of the performances, which involved these huge xylophone-esque intstruments that were played via ping pong paddles. The music though different was very good, and the performers were excellent. There were two women playing the xylophone-esque instruements who had more defined arm muscles than Madonna. All in all not a bad way to spend the day.