Since we'd had a really long day on Saturday, today we've slept in a bit, so we were well rested for today's program: a visit to the British Library and the Shakespeare Globe.
The British Library is huge and the exhibition(s) really impressive. We've seen the actual handwriting of Leonardo DaVinci, we've seen things written by Jane Austen (including her reading glasses), the Magna Carta (including an impressive seal) and the Declaration of Emancipation. Really impressive.
On our way to the Shakespeare Globe, we came across the Borough Market, so of course we had to have a real quick look. The produce on offer is really impressive.
Another thing we happened to come across on our way to the reconstructed Globe, was the actual site of the original globe! The site is commemorated with a plaque and a couple of posters giving some information.
Our visit to the globe was in one word amazing. We had a great guide (thanks Gerard!) who told us lots of interesting stories about the globe, Shakespeare and what life (and performances) were like in Shakespeare's time. The tour is supposed to be about 45 minutes, but because he told so many great stories, it took well over an hour. The most amazing thing he told us, was how the theater managed to interest a young crowd. In part by being affordable, but also because the younger people realize after a visit that Shakespeare actually isn't highbrow, or only for the rich and/or well educated. This changes their way of thinking and also opens the door to other forms of art like opera and ballet. Another great thing is that they organize workshops for young people, even if the schools can't afford to pay for the workshops. Things like special events (small acoustic performances by very well known artists like Sting, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran) help pay for those things. I absolutely love how the dream of an Hollywood actor that happened to love Shakespeare and thought that London should have a globe again as well (his name was Sam Wanamaker) made this possible. (PS: the theater is preparing for a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, hence the decor).
Pretty much next to the Globe is the Millennium Bridge, so of course we had to cross it. It is nice to know it was not actually destroyed by the Death Eaters ;). Since St Paul's Cathedral is really close by the other side of the bridge, we also went there to light a candle. It's Sunday, so we couldn't explore the cathedral itself, but it was nice to light a candle and have a little bit of a look around in the nave. We were treated to an organ recital while doing this.
Tonight we're having a night in (enjoying a Sainsbury's meal deal and some ciders we wanted to try out), since tomorrow we'll travel to Brighton. After we check in to our hotel there, we plan to go get our attendee badge for the conference. Maybe we'll explore Brighton a bit and we might go to the conference kick-off reception in the evening. Our plans for the conference itself are made, so we can't wait for it to truly begin on Tuesday!
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