We had our first tube debacle today! I suppose it's somewhat of a minor miracle we haven't had one thus far considering we're out in the sticks (for London, anyway), and we only have two lines that go where we usually want to go, which is somewhere in the West End. The good news is, I now have faith that I can figure out a route to get where I need to go even if all the lines are shut down at some part or another. As for J, well, he just better stick close to me... But we made it in a piece to Soho, which is known for three things: (1) Chinatown, (2) Porn, and (3) Gay capital of London. Which is why I find it so confusing that J's friend Tom recommended that J go there immediately. Unless he knows something about J that I don't...
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| Asian people! Eating sushi! Okay, calm down and approach them quietly... Oh, forget it, take me to your bosom my people! Embrace me as one of your own! Photo by Patrick Scales. |
After spending an hour trying to get to Soho when it really should've only taken half that time, we finally ended up at Arang, a Korean restaurant that got pretty good reviews. We ordered a couple different things to test drive the place out, and we were pleasantly surprised. We got the lunch specials for bibimbap, daeji bulgogi, and kimchi chigae. The kimchi was actually pretty good and had had time to ferment properly, but the kicker is:
they charge 2 pounds for kimchi! Arghhh! Luckily for us, it came with our lunch specials, but still... that just ain't right. The LA ktown ahjumas would be rolling in their graves if they ever found out. Anyway, this place should do in a pinch, but we're still going to try out a couple more places before settling on a favorite.
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| Oh fermented cabbage, where have you been all my life? Photo by Jess Lander. |
After bloating ourselves with all the sodium and MSG filled goodness that was lunch, we decided to take a walk to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Trafalgar Square is possibly the most famous square in the whole world, and it's easy to see why. The National Gallery is the backdrop, and there are two large fountains with a phallic monument in the center with a Napoleon look-alike perched on top. "Napoleon" is surrounded by four large lions with their tongues lolling out, and there are some pretty random things laying about such as a large ship in a bottle.
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| It's a man. It's a dolphin. No, it's mighty Fountain Boy! Photo by Mike Peel. |
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| This picture must've been taken when the American Idol finale was on or something, cause this place was packed today. Photo by Kowarisuki. |
The place used to be overrun with pigeons, but it hasn't been since they prohibited feeding the filthy flying rats. The birds here are bold - it's not uncommon to see someone with a pigeon perched on their arm, pecking away at whatever they're holding up when I know they'd rather be pecking your eyes out. But there were lots of tourists, and I've noticed that they really like climbing things. All kinds of things. Trees, benches, national monuments, that kind of thing. Apparently, it makes for a really good photo. Until J and I unwittingly stumble into the frame. Oops.
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| Aslan is not happy. Not happy at all. |
Anyway, we spent an hour or so in the Gallery itself, looking at paintings ranging from 300 AD up to 1900. Needless to say, it's a bit overwhelming. There were lots of Jesus paintings, and the requisite bared boobs and naked cherubs flying about. It's kind of odd when you think about the stuff people used to like to paint back in the day: Jesus, the Virgin Mary, cherubs, demons, naked ladies, middle-aged men, random barn animals not excluding dogs. It kind of reminds you of that game: which of these things do not belong?
We then walked to Covent Garden, which became one of the most important markets in London after the great fire of 1666 when all the other markets burned down. Suckas! It's also the birthplace of Punch and Judy, the great ancestors of the Muppets and Sesame Street. The place was paaacked! Punch and Judy are no longer there, but have been replaced with Banana Republic, the Gap, and Reiss, along with a bunch of other large retailers. Locals and tourists alike thronged the joint, and it was a bit of a nightmare getting in and out of the area. But now it's one more area of London I got to know, and I'm happier for it.
Regent Park and the London Zoo tomorrow!
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