Portobello Road turns into an antique market on Saturday and Sundays. (Grandma, if you could see this place you would be standing in a puddle of your own drool! It is SO cool!) Today I headed over to price some antique tea cups and saucers and found myself at a stand with some shiny things. I fell in love with an antique ring from the 1930s. Platinum setting, many tiny little diamonds. I can't really explain the shape of the setting but it was intricate and gorgeous, sort of rectangular overall, and flat so it laid close to my finger. I think when the dealer saw my ring she thought that I was a serious costumer, so she had me try it on. Of course, it fit perfectly. And she told me it was a steal at only £400.
Hahaha. Fat chance.
I eventually found the Mecca of all antique china and saw many many gorgeous things. I have to figure out if I will actually be able to transport anything else home before I buy anything, but a lot of it was very reasonably priced. But there was also a lot of things that were damn expensive. There was this British couple from the north of England haggling with the dealer about a set of very snazzy plates. A set of six cost as much as the aforementioned ring. They were willing to pay in cash. This is where the serious antique junkies come to get there fix, apparently.
I know I haven't written in a while. I've been very absorbed in my life here. I'm trying to get as much of London seared into my memory as possible during these last few weeks. I will be home in 17 days! Which is both exciting (because I miss you all!) and sad (because I will miss London!).
Auntie Rita asked which European city has been my favorite. I think the answer is London. I mean, I have had an amazing time going to Edinburgh, Paris, and all over Spain and to Florence, but I feel like all I did when I was in these places was race through the cities and see the sights and figure out a new metro and bus system. There were also language barriers to contend with that always made a complete comprehension of a place--or at least the sort of comprehension that is accessible in a span of a few days--impossible.
I have had more time in London, time to tour castles and things, but also time to establish favorite ways of walking down to the Thames, and moments of discovery in Covent Garden, and even the quite hilarious experience of getting stuck in an elevator in the Underground--it only lasted a few seconds, but the lack of reaction from the people around me compared to the full-blown freak out that was happening in my own mind is quite comic in retrospect. I have had amazing nights dancing myself into exhaustion and nightclubs and trying new types of beer at pubs and gorging myself with delicious Indian food. London is not always as pretty as Paris (although looking out over the Thames at Big Ben and Parliament at night gives the Seine and Notre Dame a serious run for their money), and it's much colder than Spain, and buying a leather bag like the one I bought in Florence is just not an option; but, London is this exhilarating mix of crazies and the comedically drab and plaid; people are reserved but caring, the nightlife is both relaxed and manic, and there are countless things to do and see and taste. Walking down Oxford street in the evening is entertaining just in itself. And this city is so amazingly diverse that you can walk for three blocks without overhearing a conversation in English. The city is efficient, and public transportation is incredibly reliable. You see the occasional bum on the corner, but no one harasses you for money (which is good because I don't have any).
Also, the weather has decided to get beautiful! I haven't had to wear a coat for three days! (Although, I did get caught in a hale storm while out running on Wednesday... But I was in Regent's park which is absolutely lovely, so I really didn't mind.)
Anyway, I will be home soon. I'm looking forward to catching up with the family and spending time with my friends during their last week of school. I also found out yesterday that I got an internship for the summer working at Circle X Theatre Company in LA, and I am SO EXCITED! The program should last about 10 weeks, which means that I should be able to make the Yosemite trip in July! And I really want to go, so I'm really hoping that it all works out. The sun and many open arms await my return to California. Just four final papers and an 11 hour plane ride stand in my way. I think I might try to knock myself out with some wine on the way back. I cried a considerable amount on the plane ride to London. I wonder how the flight leaving London will compare.
