Portobello and Bird Poop

On our second day in London we woke up early, picked up some bread and fruit from a local store and headed to Portobello Street. We shopped along the colorful markets and bought a painting. Right as I was contemplating an irrational purse purchase, an unpredictable London rainstorm drenched us and caused me to forget about that adorable patchwork wool purse. We jumped on the metro and headed to the Royal Palace to watch the Trooping of the Colors, an event that only happens once a year. It was quite the spectacle of uniformed men and pooping horses. We tourists pay big bucks for that kind of entertainment. Seriously though, it was fun to see the traditions that the British have maintained in their culture. I admire their ability to hold on to those cultural roots while still embracing change.

We then headed over to Westminster Abbey. The architecture and history in that place are amazing! The ceiling in the lady chapel, the paintings on the walls from medieval times, and the tombs of the kings and queens gone past were spectacular. After the Abbey we admired the ivy growing up the surrounding buildings and decided to go to a carnival fundraiser that the boy's choir academy was holding. We bought some bland hot chocolate (apparently the British don't believe in sugar and salt) and some cupcakes. We chatted with some delightful English women and then headed over to Parliament and Big Ben.

As we sat down for dinner at Garfunkel's that night, Blair noticed that a bird had pooped on the camera bag that I had around my shoulder. I squealed and squirmed as I searched for my anti-bacterial hand wipes to clean off the bag. Just as Blair said, "Well, good thing it didn't get on you..." we both saw the pile of green goosh in a perfect pile between my thumb and pointer finger!! I dry-heaved and then washed my hands six times. Yuck!

After our gross English lamb shank dinner, we roamed through Trafalgar Square and Leceister Square before we went to see Les Miserables. The cast was phenomenal and the story touched me deeply. It reminded me that there is goodness, redemption, and peace in a sometimes very rotten world. I've been singing "I Dreamed A Dream" ever since.