Do you know why most Europeans are so skinny? 1: Because they have to walk a lot. 2: Because there are stairs everywhere, and very few elevators. 3: Food is really expensive. And 4: You HAVE to be. The restrooms where extraordinarily small (not much bigger than an enclosed phone booth). Most alleys, staircases, cafes and hallways were just big enough that walking through, your shoulders barely miss brushing along the walls. But all of it you get use to pretty quickly and I must admit it is rather charming.

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London is a city in a state of constant vacillation and not just because of the large amount of people. The city has had a few devastating fires throughout its history and it was attacked during a few wars as well. But after it’s destroyed, they build right over the rubble and not having a stable foundation, most of the city sways like you’re on a ship. It’s subtle and I don’t know if the Londoners themselves notice, but we definitely felt it. The first half of the week, we kept looking at each other, asking, “Did you feel that? Are we moving? Is this building moving?” And after we got ourselves educated on the history, we finally put it together.

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The architecture, the art and the gardens were staggeringly beautiful and humbling. The sheer age of the city is humbling and awe-inspiring. It’s a city I would love to get to know even better. I was in love from the moment I looked out the window and saw the edges of the island. Everyone is so laid back there. And they don’t hate us (as Americans are repeatedly told) so much as a view us with a sort of mild irritation and it seems to be because of our general uptight attitudes and national superiority complex.

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Oh but I must mention the play! Oh… what can I say? The script was phenomenal, the cast was excellent and the story was satisfyingly relevant. *sigh* I really miss theater that much more after seeing this. And yes, Mr. Radcliffe, the reason for being there at all, was awesome in this!! It was really freeing for me to be able to finally put another illusion of mine to rest. Magic is seductive and frightening in its mystery – but going to the most magical place on earth and seeing the most magical boy on earth showed me that there is no magic. Everything is real and tangible and so beautifully unromantic that I can happily let myself fall in love. If all the people I love so dearly didn’t live in the western US, I would move to London instantly. A piece of my heart has always been there and in leaving it, I could feel it break again. But... as I keep telling myself, I’ll come back… I can always come back.

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[link] 5 Apr 2007