We started out today by visiting the National Gallery, the art museum in London. Being an avid art enthusiast and art history lover, I was really excited to get to visit the National Gallery.
Unfortunately, upon arrival we learned that most of the museum was closed (and would remain closed for the next ten days) due to a strike. I was pretty bummed out, but luckily we still got to see some exhibits that were still open, including the impressionist exhibit, which is always one of my favorites in any art museum.
They even had a version of Da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks. I did not realize until than that Da Vinci had actually created a second version of the famous painting, the first of which hangs in the Louvre in Paris. Da Vinci didn’t quite finish the second painting himself, but it was still incredible to see. Pictures of the painting do not do it justice. In person, you could really see the contrast of the dark and light, and the luminous faces of the figures depicted glowing out from the canvas. It was really very beautiful.
National Gallery
The Japanese Bridge, Claude Monet 1899
After we were done exploring the National Gallery, we met to have lunch in the crypt of St. Martin in the Fields, a beautiful church located near the National Gallery. We will actually be seeing a classical music concert in the church later on this week, which I am really looking forward to.
The crypts of St. Martin in the Fields
After lunch, we went on….to Abbey Road! This was the site of the famous picture on the cover of the Abbey Road album, where John, Paul, George, and Ringo crossed the street in single file, strides perfectly matched up, with the road extending on in the background.
We spent at least an hour running back and forth across the road, through heavy traffic, to get to perfect recreations of this famous picture.
Once we were all satisfied with our attempts (and tired of almost being run over by the oncoming traffic), we stopped by the nearby Abbey Road studios, where we signed our names, and Paul McCartney’s home in London. Paul wasn’t there, of course, but it was still cool to see!
Abbey Road
After Abbey Road, we had some free time, so we went to King’s Cross to take our pictures at Platform 9 and 3/4. Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood, so I was so excited to take at the iconic location. When it was my turn, I donned by Ravenclaw house scarf, and enthusiastically pretended to push the cart through the wall, just like Harry did in the movie. It was definitely my nerd moment of the day 🙂
Platform 9 and 3/4
After King’s Cross, a few of us ran all around London in search of an elusive shop, and spent nearly two hours trying to navigate the streets of London with only our map. How did people manage before gps and google?! Despite the struggle, this experience was actually very fun, and I would highly recommend getting lost in London yourself, if you are ever there!
Exhausted and feet aching, we took the bus to the theater where we were to see out first show of the trip, The Commitments. This was a fun and lively musical focusing on a soul music band form Ireland. The songs were all familiar since they were technically covers, and the audience had a great time singing and dancing along.
After the show, a few of us went with Tim and Kelcie to listen to some live Blues music at a nearby pub. The performers were all fantastic, and it was a great way to end the night!
The Commitments Musical