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... and back again.
Sep. 22nd, 2005 02:22 pmAs of yesterday evening around 10pm, I'm home and safe in Seattle. I have a terrible sore throat, which I first attributed to 12 hours of humidity-free airplane air. As I seem to be developing a runny nose and hot and cold chills, I think I'm just thankful that my immune system held out until my vacation was over before collapsing whimpering at the finish line. Good immune system. Thanks.
Saw Oxford, where the scenery comes from, and had a steak pie and strong cider at the Eagle and Child, about ten feet from the favorite table of Tolkein and Lewis' social group, the Inklings (thanks for the tip, Fridge!). On the walking tour, I was perturbed and a little disgusted to learn that the Hogwart's Infirmary scenes were shot in the heart of the oldest library, in a glorious room with flying buttresses and arched ceilings; it was once the room which housed all Divinity examinations, consisting of being GRILLED in theological debate while people interrupted from the peanut gallery. And they did a time-lapse mummy unwinding sight gag in it. The room above that, the actual heart of the heart of the oldest library, was used for the Hogwart's Library, which at least matches in function. But the Infirmary... It just seems profane somehow.
Swung back into London for the last day, where we did Tea at ... Fortnam and Mason's? Anyway, Harrod's competitor in the flashy department store category. We wandered Hyde Park one last time and found that Diana's memorials are actually tasteful, nice, non-tacky and kid-friendly, which was a pleasant surprise. The "memorial fountain" is actually more of a beautifully sculptured circular stream for wading in (which you are encouraged to do), and her memorial playground has a PIRATE SHIP! (This is too cool. We could not go in, because we had no child. We briefly considered kidnapping someone else's for an hour or so just to gain entry.)
Last treat of the trip: we went to the longest-running show in the worrrrrld, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap! Hysterically cheesy, very funny, and I have now been part of a 53-year-long Phenomenon. And no, I won't tell you who did it.
Plane ride. Home. Much desperate kissing and hugging between the lovebirds separated for a fortnight.
Next up, grad school. WHEEEEEEEE!
Saw Oxford, where the scenery comes from, and had a steak pie and strong cider at the Eagle and Child, about ten feet from the favorite table of Tolkein and Lewis' social group, the Inklings (thanks for the tip, Fridge!). On the walking tour, I was perturbed and a little disgusted to learn that the Hogwart's Infirmary scenes were shot in the heart of the oldest library, in a glorious room with flying buttresses and arched ceilings; it was once the room which housed all Divinity examinations, consisting of being GRILLED in theological debate while people interrupted from the peanut gallery. And they did a time-lapse mummy unwinding sight gag in it. The room above that, the actual heart of the heart of the oldest library, was used for the Hogwart's Library, which at least matches in function. But the Infirmary... It just seems profane somehow.
Swung back into London for the last day, where we did Tea at ... Fortnam and Mason's? Anyway, Harrod's competitor in the flashy department store category. We wandered Hyde Park one last time and found that Diana's memorials are actually tasteful, nice, non-tacky and kid-friendly, which was a pleasant surprise. The "memorial fountain" is actually more of a beautifully sculptured circular stream for wading in (which you are encouraged to do), and her memorial playground has a PIRATE SHIP! (This is too cool. We could not go in, because we had no child. We briefly considered kidnapping someone else's for an hour or so just to gain entry.)
Last treat of the trip: we went to the longest-running show in the worrrrrld, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap! Hysterically cheesy, very funny, and I have now been part of a 53-year-long Phenomenon. And no, I won't tell you who did it.
Plane ride. Home. Much desperate kissing and hugging between the lovebirds separated for a fortnight.
Next up, grad school. WHEEEEEEEE!
