london, day 4

tate modern interior (with paola)

so we are about finished with the london leg of our journey. today we went to the tate modern. there was, of course, lots of modern art, some good, some less so. paola was really inspired by a new work by photographer steve mccurry (who took that picture of the afghan girl with the big green eyes in 1984 for national geographic). i was really inspired by an exhibition of architectural models by herzog and demeuron (who re-designed the tate modern). paola will probably get more into photography when we get back, and i might start looking at schools to go to for architecture. we'll see what happens.

we also went to notting hill, along portobello street. the houses were all neatly colored, and there was a flea market that is a regular thing there. however, everything at the flea market was much too expensive, some skirts for £200 ($400), so we didnt get anything.

after that we went back to the hotel and took a nap, letting our bodies recover from all the walking that we have been doing the last few days.

as a final appraisal of london, i think that it is a very expensive city with good art and architecture. i really liked the modern architecture all around the place. but 3everything else was far too expensive, and i dont think that i will have a desire to come back here any time soon. that said, however, it was a good experience, and i dont regret it; its a city that i have wanted to see for a long time,and i am glad that i have now seen it (and glad that i am now leaving with some money still in my pocket). just to be clear, the underground (subway) was too expensive, as were all the restaurants (including mcdonalds) and food, and sleeping accomadations, well, forget it. so, all in all, i am glad that i came and saw some neat architecture, and now im glad im leaving.

tomorrow we fly into italy to meet up with paola's dad. we will also plan further parts of our trip from there, and begin posting photographs on this site of all the neat stuff we have seen.