Luckily, I didn’t have any hangover this morning. Just a little groggy. I didn’t really know what I was to do on this day. I looked out the window and it was gray and raining. No surprise really. Do I stay in? and enjoy my last full day of high-speed wireless connectivity and powerbook usage? Or head out?
I really had no good reason to stay in. And, there was an interesting lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields. So, I threw on my shoes and headed out. I didn’t take anything with me this time. Every other time I took my day-pack with camera, water bottle and book. It was nice not to have extra stuff with me, particularly because I did not hardly use my camera or book before. I also had called Trevor to see if he was going to the concert. He was glad to hear from me and was definitely on his way out the door himself.
I made all my connections on the tube and got to St Martins pretty quickly. I was about 45 minutes early and had the slightest bit of a head-ache, probably from lack of water and food. I ventured around and found a store and grabbed an apple pastry and a bottle of volvic.
Back at St Martins, I was early enough to get a good seat. At the last concert, I arrived quite late, and sat pretty far back and in the middle of a row. This time I got an aisle seat mid-way up and had a perfect view of the piano. Trevor finally made it about 5 minutes before they started. I was starting to wonder!
The concert was pretty good. The featured artist was a pianist from Belgrade named Bojana Dimkovic. A very dynamic and expressive - and very good looking - pianist! It was the most diverse concert yet for me at St Martins. Bojana played on each piece, but there was a different mix for each piece. The first was a number by Britten called Who are these children? Nicky Spence, a tenor (voice), joined her to sing. Nicky Spences’ voice was awesome. So powerful. The guy was a character too. I think he was a bit full of himself, really. But, maybe he just has to pump himself up to sing like that? The second piece was by Debussy - Images for piano solo (Book 2) - Piossons d’or. The last was by Hindemith - Sonata for Viola and Piano op 11 No 4. Francis Kefford played the viola. Francis Kefford was interesting. He was good, indeed. But, he didn’t play with much enthusiasm. Most string players I’ve ever seen are really animated. However, Francis was probably the largest viola or violin player I’ve ever seen (he wasn’t fat necessarily). So, maybe he didn’t move as well. The viola also got overpowered regularly by the piano (she was very good!) and at times couldn’t be heard. Not sure if it was his playing, or the acoustics of the church. Whatever … it was another great concert and I’m glad I went.
After the concert, Trevor and I had already decided to grab something to eat. He wanted to take me to this buffet chinese place - Mr. Wu’s. I was a teeny bit hesitant, as those buffets can be scary, but it was ok. No scary stuff and it was quite a small buffet. I had a couple servings and can report that I feel fine and am still alive several hours after the experience! After lunch, we set out for tea and coffee. Trevor had also been talking up this place Caffe Nero. I’d seen the shops around quite a bit, as they are an English coffee shop chain. But, I hadn’t been in to one yet. The cappuccino was pretty good. Definitely not Italian - their web site says “The Italian Coffee Company” - it was pretty much a cafe latte (which is definitely NOT a cappuccino). It’s a rival to Starbucks, I’m sure, which are also all over the place and about the same quality. I’m kinda surprised Trevor likes the place - they allow smoking, the music isn’t exactly quiet and he was the oldest person there by far. Maybe it makes him feel young?
With not much else planned, and the National Portrait Gallery just across the street, we took our chances checking it out. I’m glad I did, as the portrait gallery was much more interesting that I thought it would be. Most of the portraits I’d seen in other galleries were of obscure, and mostly pompous, rich people. The National Portrait Gallery contains mainly portraits of mostly famous, pompous, rich people - but - people historically relevant to English history. Portraits of kings and queens and dukes and earls, generals, prime ministers, etc. Each portrait had a plaque summarizing their significance. And, to me, the significance is what did it/does it for me. It’s what makes it worthwhile. History is important, even art history is important, but I guess relevant history is more worth my time. Anyway. Like all the other museums, I didn’t have enough time to see everything. That’s just the way it is and I accept it. That’s what return trips are for!
And, I said two goodbyes today. Trevor earlier, and Christina before she went off to bed. I’ve had to get better at saying goodbye, with all the people I’ve met and departed from with the couchsurfing thing. Christina and Trevor are a little different, though, as the bond is a bit tighter. I say goodbye to them, however, knowing there’s a really good chance I will see them both again. I can’t say that about my couchsurfing friends, but that’s part of what makes them special, too.
It has been really nice to be in London, to spend time with these people and this city and country. In some strange way, I really feel at home here. Indeed, I haven’t seen much of the country, really. Only Bath and London, and there is way more to England than these two cities. Primarily, though, if it weren’t so bloody friggin expensive in London, I could really, really, really spend some significant time here. Right now it’s just not worth it, even though I now have three potential places I could stay. It’s time to move on!
