Day 3 in London

The last time I was in London it was 1992. I was here with my friend Sarah who was my roommate at the time in Florence, Italy. By some crazy coincidence, Sarah and her husband Pat are here this week as well. Ryan and I met them near their hotel at the Marble Arch. We went on to St. Paul's Cathedral, the 4th largest cathedral in the world (St. Peter's is the biggest). St Paul's is also the sight of Charles and Diana's wedding. It is incredible. I can't imagine anything constructed with such detail today. We walked across the millenium bridge and onto the Tate Modern Art Museum. This was our first trip to a museum with the kids. When Jack walked in he asked where the toys were.. when we said there weren't any toys, only art, he declared he did not like art.

We did our best to interest the kids in the exhibits there. The art work was so varied. We saw a large Monet but also really different pieces like a Classical Greek nude standing in front of a mountain of clothing as tall as the statue. There was a room titled energy and process that had exhibits that used different metals.. There was a Richard Sera piece that was not as impressive as the one in the Sculpture Park in Seattle. The kids were bored though. At one point, Sonia started rolling around on the floor. By that point, there was quite a crowd at the museum so we headed to a restaurant Kate had recommended for lunch. It was delicious pan-Asain food. The meal would have probably cost $30 in the US and it cost 30 pounds here.. I try not to do the math but that is around 48$.. very expensive for lunch.. but everything here is really, really expensive. We are so grateful to be staying with our friends!

Sarah and I

This is going to be the tallest building in Europe when it's complete. It's called the shard.

On the millenium bridge with St. Paul's in the background

Sonia rolling around on the floor

We arrived home mid-afternoon. Jack is still thrilled with traveling on the Tube and riding his scooter around town but it tires him out. He relaxed at Kate's while Sonia napped. Kate and I headed out to a market and we also went on a search for hot chocolate. We found a little spanish deli that served authentic spanish hot chocolate -- very thick and delicious!