In the crypt of St. Martins in the Field, midday
We spent the morning going through the British Museum. We were struck by how many treasures of the Ancient World were brought to London during the height of the British Empire. A windfall for tourists and museum-goers like ourselves; an understandable sore spot for former colonies. Huge multi-story monuments were taken apart and are now housed in the museum. Especially impressive were the Assyrian Lions that once guarded the entrance to the palace of a long-gone civilization. The Egyptians, Greek, and Roman holdings were also improessive.
The museum was quite hot to walk around (no air conditioning), and we both feel dehydrated right now. We are having lunch in the crypt beneath St. Martins to cool off. I’m having a chicken salad plate, and Becky had ratatouille. We’re heading to the British Library this afternoon.