February 08, 2006 - page 2

Within 45 minutes of arriving at Endsleigh Court—-home, sweet home, during my stay here--I went for a run, having been quite anxious to experience the city firsthand. London is alive. It's the most invigorated I've ever felt on a run. People were everywhere, hustling and bustling along, some with purposeful, focused demeanors; others, like me, seemingly gazing all around and taking in this living, breathing city of London. It was a bright and beautiful day, which I hear is a rarity around these parts this time of year.

I arrived back at the flat anxious to begin the day. At this point, I had slept all of 2 hours in the past 2 1/2 days, so I hadn't quite imagined having the energy I had at that point. I suppose the vivacity of London was some incentive. There is just so much to see in this town, so much to do, so little time. I hassled and hastened Jay along, much to his dismay, and we trekked to the British Museum, which is only a block or so away. As a Classics major, I've studied many things from the comfort of my American homeland that I never fully comprehended being able to see. However, having been afforded the opportunity to study in London, many treasures of the ancient world are at my fingertips. For instance, the British Museum is home from antiquated splendors varying

from the Standard of Ur, one of the most important artifacts remaining from ancient Sumeria, to the east pediment of the Parthenon. It was chilling to see these things mere inches from my face, even being able to physically touch many of them, contact enough to send shivers down the spine of any true classicist.