Shakespeare Globe Theater
Post date: 01-Aug-2009 13:08:42
Colin and I visited the Shakespeare Globe theater today (July 30) and it was my favourite place we've visited so far. We learned about Shakespeare and the history of the theater life in the 1600s. Poor people who visited the theater were called “penny stinkers” and “groundlings.” For one pence, they could stand in the pitt of the theater in the dirt with walnut shells. There were no bathrooms for the groundlings because it would cost another pence to leave and another pence to come back. We purchased tickets to Helen for 20 pounds each which worked out to $71.00 Canadian. I was surprised to learn that the original theater burned down and that the Globe we visited was rebuilt in 1999.
I embarrassed myself today by getting excited about the
name of a building. It was a dark brown building that said "Chocolate Factory Gallery" on the
outside of it. I of course thought it was really a chocolate factory that also had art work made of chocolate too. It also said "Free Entry" on the outside of the building. We walked around the first floor of the building and looked at lots of great art. However, I didn't see any chocolate, so I just had to ask the girl working there if there was really a chocolate factory in the building. I couldn't miss out if there was one. I asked. "No, that's just the name of the building. This is an art gallery." I was rather disappointed that none of the art had chocolate in the pictures. I mean really what would have been cooler than sculptures made of chocolate.
Next, we tried to visit the tea and coffee museum but the print store next door informed me that it closed down. Too bad. We also relayed this information to another tourist who was trying to find it.
We walked across the Tower bridge and I must admit we have good luck or just perfect timing. Last night we talked about how much we'd love to see the bridge lift up and there we are walking across and the bridge and it lifted for a boat. It was very cool.
We walked along the Thames river and found the Design museum, but it was too pricey for us to see at 15.00 pounds each. This would be $50 Canadian. Most of the big museums are free for most of the exhibits.
We saw an ice cream truck that offered Piccadilly Whip and as if that wasn't enough to sell me it also came with half a Flake bar (my fave U.K. chocolate bar that you'll be tired of hearing about by the end of our trip).
The weather in London today reminded me of Edmonton's weather. It rained on and off and was so windy and cold at one point that I wished I had my mitts with me. I had my LuLu Lemon jacket zipped up past my neck. However, by the time we walked home I was sweating and the sun was out. We walked at least 6 Km today and it was a great workout. The stairs and hills really help the glutes. Colin is still getting used to exercising everyday, but he's doing really well. Cheerio.
Pics, pics, pics!!!