London. I’ve always desired a meeting with this place. I’m not entirely sure what the attraction has been but over the years it has grown ever stronger; and I have not been disappointed. I am staying in a small hotel room just near Charing Cross station (the London underground is a God-send, weaving its way through the city like spaghetti it is perfect for my unprompted far-flung ventures…). It is fairly small and boxy with a patchwork quilted single bed, static ridden television, neglected bathroom with a cramped shower, and some basic cooking facilities –a kettle and microwave. Despite its deficiencies it provides ample space for my purposes; I tend not to find myself spending too much time there anyway- the attraction of the expansive city I adore is enough to keep me away!
I have been here for 2 days now, apologies for not filling you all in sooner but its been an eventful few days!! Ive seen many of the major sites; Big Ben, Windsor castle, the London eye, but that which most appealed to me was in fact Madam Tussauds wax museum; a place I had not expected to appreciate to the extent that I did…wading my way through the stiff replicas, whom if not for their notoriety I could not distinguish from the hundreds of other onlookers; the manner in which their artificial life which seemed to writhe beneath their glossed eyes was disconcerting. How could something so life like be so void of any intellectual capacity or emotion? Staring back at Princess Di’s intent and impenetrable gaze I saw a kind of reflection of myself within her; existing in a room packed full of jostling, excitable people and being completely and inanely inept at communicating with anyone. I feel that sometimes I embody a wax sculpture in my life at times. This may be the stem of my spontaneous departure….and the reason why I am unsure as to who, if anyone, is actually following this blog. Sometimes I wonder if it is more for myself than anything…
These things seem such trivial and minute details of my life at the present time. I am traveling abroad, my own free spirit, drawn to whatever place on a whim with no ropes or chains or questions of others to tie me down or direct me. Just the way I like it…
On that note, the ‘Ship and Shovel’ pub just down the road calls me for my first ever English pub experience… not to disappoint I’m sure!
The Ship and Shovel
I shall blog again soon… I’ve been a bit slack lately so ill be sure to keep you up to date on my travels!
-Alaina
