I can’t sleep! It is 2:55 a.m. here. We walked a million miles today, and went to a two and a half hour play where we stood the whole time. Why am I still awake??
we climbed to the top of Primrose Hill today--and that was only the beginning of our trek!
One highlight of today was exploring the neighborhood where Sam lived when he studied abroad in London for a semester in 2004. It was fun to see him so excited, and to see the blocks and lanes and alleys that he knew (knows!) so well. Primrose Hill was his favorite place to go, and I can see why. And, while he knows this area backwards and forwards, he had never been here in the summer, so I think he liked seeing all the green and flowers.
Many hours later, we were groundlings at the Globe! The large grayish brown block at the bottom of the picture is the stage! Throughout the play we had to pull our hands out of the way so they wouldn't be stomped on by the actors.
The play at the Globe tonight was Dr. Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe (you know, Rupert Everett from Shakespeare in Love). In fact, this play turned out to be the source for the line “Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?” which everyone in Shakespeare in Love uses for their audition. This line came near the dramatic/tragic end of the play, and I wasn’t expecting it, and almost burst out laughing.
For some reason I associate Shakespeare in Love with Robyn. I think I bought the video (video!) for $3.99 from Blockbuster when I was staying at Robyn’s house one Indy weekend, and we watched it. I need to get the DVD, since I don’t have a VCR anymore!
Huh–and, also, pretty much every paper I have ever written I’ve written to the Shakespeare in Love soundtrack. Except this paper that I’m giving next week. So maybe I’ll listen, finish polishing the paper, and then this trip will have all come full circle.
An executive assistant, a librarian, & an expat walk into a blog... 