When the boys are at school, I try to take a day during the week to go on my own to do some sightseeing on myself. I try to see places that I know the boys would not find interesting or be too boring for them. I have visited museums, churches, markets, and just walked around the beautiful city of London. Somehow I can't get enough of the city. Every corner I turn, there is something amazing that catches my eye. I love how this city is made up of the old and new. On every street you'll be able to find old and new building standing together. And the history!
So, one day I was walking in a shopping district and I passed a church, St. Mary Abbots Church. I decided to go in to see the beauty of it. I was under construction so I really couldn't go inside. But the path to getting into the church was just as beautiful. I was a little disappointed that I was not able to step inside. Next time.
I also decided to visit Westminster Abbey on my own. It's a place I know the boys will not enjoy. Plus, you need to stay quiet for the time you are there. The whole tour of the Abbey can take up to 2 1/2 hours. No photography is allowed inside the Abbey so I was only able to pictures of the grounds and the exterior. The abbey is an amazing church. It is where Prince William and Kate were married. It's also the where the Coronation Chair resides. The Coronation Chair is a throne that has been used since 1296 A.D. by the British Monarchy during their coronation. It was made for King Edward I and was brought from Scotland to the Abbey. It is also a resting place of 17 monarchs and some famous people, Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir Winston Churchill, James Cook, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare. To be in this Abbey, you can feel the history. It is just beautiful! I was lucky enough to sit in on of the services. It was my first time and it was very interesting to watch and listen to the service. It was very special for me that my very first service that I had ever attended happened at Westminster Abbey.
Some of the markets I had visited on my own are Spitalfields Market, Portobello Market, and Camden Market. Each one is so different. That's one thing I have learned. Each market specializes in different things. For example, the Spitalfields Market is known for daily and vintage fashions, textiles, and jewelry. They were also selling some yummy cupcakes. Near by, there is a restaurant called the Cereal Killer Cafe--they only serve cereals from all around the world.
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| Cereal Killer Cafe |
The next market I have gone to is the Portobello Market. This market focus is on antiques. It is the worlds largest antique market. People from all over the world come to find something here. Gitesh loves this market since he can find lots and lots of old coins. I even bought him a bag of coins for him when I went on my own. Saturday is the busiest day of the week. There is no room to walk. You're walking with people, cars, and stalls all on one tiny road. If you want to find a treasure, you must come as soon as the market opens.
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| Shop from the Paddington Movie |
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| Portabello Road |
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| Coins, Coins, and more coins!!! |
The last market I have visited on my own is Camden Market. This market is the 4th most visited place is London by visitors. This market has it all. It has clothes, jewelry, home goods, furniture, antiques, and other bric-a-brac. Also, the late Amy Winehouse lived in the area as well. This market is massive! It was too much for me to see it all. I ended up leaving after a few hours because my brain had shut down. I do plan on going back there again someday.
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| Stores with 3D decor |
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| Lot's of Food Stalls |
I have also went to see a few museums on my own. Of all the museums I have every been to, my most favorite has to be the Victoria and Albert (V&A) in London which opened in 1852. It's gargantuan! It's the worlds largest museum for decorative arts with over 4.5 million permanent collection. And the collection that is holds is too much for a day visit. If you really want to see the whole museum, you'll need to spend a few days. So, what has made this museum my most favorite...the building itself is a work of art, the collection is endless, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For example, they have artifacts from all over Asia, Architecture, books, ceramics, fashion, furniture, jewelry, textiles, drawings, metals.
Another museum I went to visit was the National Gallery (art museum) located in Trafalgar Square. It has been opened in 1824 and now houses 2300 painting. It is the 4th most visited art museum in the world. Once again, this place is huge. If you want to look at and analyze all the painting, you'll
need a few days. For me, I enjoy the 17th-20th century paintings the most. It so stunning to see some of the painting from my favorite painter up close and personal. Its a feeling one never forgets when they finally see something they only seen on paper. Here are some of my favorite painting:
Next door to the National Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery. This museum is famous for portraits of famous British people. When it opened in 1856, it was the only portrait gallery in the world. It's not as big as the National gallery, but it has some great portraits.
I do love going to see all that London has to offer, but there are times I do wish I can share it with Gitesh. I know he would love exploring as much as I do.
