DAY 7

Divine

We visited Portobello market and honestly markets are not my favorite. I don’t like them in the states, but I thought maybe I would here. Nope, I don’t like the lack of structure and I’m not good at bargaining, so the pricing system just stresses me out. That being said, we did walk by a ton of restaurants that sound amazing and are definitely on the list now. Also it’s good to know I don’t like markets here because it allowed me to cross a few markets off of my London to do list. 

Sorry if that seems negative, BUT I write about all of the things I think are amazing, so it's only fair to write about the not-so-amazing things too. I could've just posted the picture below and talked about how awesome it was - -but I'm all about being sincere. :)

This wall was cool though. It's artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

I had a bit of a down moment today - I was just feeling stressed about everything in general and I really needed a piano. I know it’s only been a week, but I think this may have been the longest I’ve gone without playing the piano in a very long time. I play all the time back home and I especially need it when I’m feeling emotional. I decided to go to the nearby LDS church (where we have class) and ask to play the piano there. They kindly let me play in the chapel. I sat down at the piano and I just felt at home. A little "Clair de lune", "Nearer My God To Thee", and "Angels We Have Heard on High" were just what I needed to lift my spirits. It’s amazing how the piano can heal me; it’s been doing this for ten years. I’m so grateful to have a church with buildings in London open for my use. 

I then went over to the Tate to look at some artwork for a play we are seeing tomorrow (more on that later).

I walked through this private(ish) garden on my way to the Tate. I love how the city is peaking through the trees. 

Just basking in the light. 

This is my favorite piece in the Tate. By Gerhard Richter.  The picture obviously doesn't do it justice. It's much taller than I am in real life. 

Piccadilly

We saw Strictly Ballroom tonight!!!! It's super cheesy and unabashedly spectacle and I loved every single minute. The choreography was AMAZING and the lead guy was an incredible dancer. The creator of the original Strictly Ballroom movie is a man named Baz Luhrman (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet). His motto is "A life lived in fear is a life half lived." They pulled this idea out in the show; it's a belief I adore. 

Side note: I had heard that Piccadilly Circus is full of attractive men in well-tailored suits, and my sources were right. I will definitely be coming back. 

xoxo

Rebecca