Last Days in London

The last couple of days have been quite hectic and consumed with last things - seeing people I'd yet to see or for the last time, meetings with some professors, visits to museums, and the like. After 6 weeks here I left a lot till the end (since I was actually working, after all), but managed to do most of it!

So, here are some photos from earlier in the week. First, another walking tour of off-the-beaten path sights thanks to Mick, starting with the Christopher Wren-designed Church of St. Stephen Walbrook!  A very beautiful space with ample light and a neat central round altar. The pulpit is crazy big, as you will see in the photo below.

 Then we moved on to the Guildhall, below (including adorable Dick Whittington's cat sculpture):

Courtesy of Katie, the Ballad of Dick Whittington and his Cat! (Click to enlarge):

One of the most bizarre things I've seen to date was this Roman amphitheater. The actual ruins are not much to write home about (no pun intended) but the crazy Tron-style illuminated gladiator scene certainly gives it an interesting vibe.

From there, we went down to the Docklands and the Museum of London there. Some interesting exhibits on the triangle of trade and slavery (rather depressing, of course) and a very bizarre exhibit called "Sailortown" which replicated a sailor hangout of the nineteenth century. It smelled really weird and was very dark. Didn't spend much time there.

Now off to farewell dinner with Katie, who leaves tomorrow, but more to come!