Day 3 - Translating the past

 

Today we were off to explore the plunder of the British Empire with a visit to the British Museum. 

We got there right at opening time prior to the many many many school children out for a field trip and had a nice moment communing with the Rosetta Stone. Why did I think it was going to be round?  In any case, I’ve been fascinated by this far sighted marvel of translation since I was a child and was excited to have a moment to experience it in real life.   

But its powers of translation didn’t help me much since in addition to not understanding hieroglyphics, I also don’t understand cuneiform or Ancient Greek. But what a marvel that someone created this handy guide 1000s of years ago.  Lots of treasures, mummies and and statutes from ancient Egypt - even a painting. 

It felt somehow disrespectful to take a pictures of the mummies - but I felt better about the mummified cats. And fish!  

After Egypt we explored ancient Assyria.  The royalty there spent a lot of time hunting lions, depicted in these wall decor. And also walking their dogs. Ancient Assyrians - they’re just like us!

Finally on to the controversial Elgin Marbles.  These are the statues and panels that Lord Elgin had chipped off of the Parthenon and brought back to England.   There are lots of panels and they tell a story if you follow them around the room like an illustrated book. 

We also visited some old Anglo Saxon artifacts that are actually not plundered from elsewhere.  Their unearthing is more recent and was depicted in the movie The Dig with Ralph Fiennes.  

Nearby, and in honor of my chess playing dad, we communed with the Lewis Chessmen, medieval chess pieces carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth in the 12th century. 

Then on to an ice cream lunch from a dairy farm at the Bewick market (hey I’m on vacation. No rules!)

We had a little time before dinner and popped into the free National Portrait Museum that is literally next door to the hotel.  Everyone from royals to rock stars are depicted.  Here is and unusual one of Queen Elizabeth with her eyes closed.  And me too…vacation is exhausting. 

A little free hotel prosecco

pre-theatre dinner, gelato (two ice creams in one day…it’s my dream vacation!) and my first West End show, the play with music called "Stereophonic."   It’s about a Fleetwood Mac-type band and their attempts to record an album amidst lots of interpersonal squabbles.  High drama and great music.  And it’s the same theatre that first brought us Peter Pan.  I believe in fairies and my sleep fairy is telling me it’s time for bed.  

.