But I get ahead of myself. Today we split up again. Loren went off in search of a discounted ticket to Noel Coward's Private Lives and then on the the Tate Modern. Don already had a ticket to go see Les Miserable, but he came along with me in the morning. I went to the Globe theater so I could get a ticket to MidSummer Night's Dream and then the two of us would walk on the Burroughs Market.
Well it turned out we had mis-read the schedule and Midsummer Nights wasn't playing. It was the Tempest and it was all sold out!! The guy said if I wanted to stand in line about 1 1/2 hours ahead of the show, I might possibly get a ticket that has been turned in.
I was quite disappointed as I had taught Midsummer Nights for seven years; I really liked the play and was familiar with it and was looking forward to seeing what a real Shakespearean company would do with it.

Then we walked by The Golden Hind which is a replica of the ship that Sir Francis Drake sailed around the globe.



We passed the Southwark Cathedral which claims to be oldest Gothic church building in England and dates back to 606 AD when it was first a convent.
We walked through a tunnel to find three young men playing Pachelbels' Canon. It was a beautiful sound.
Then we found ourselves at Borough Market which was a smorgasbord of food displays. There were many food stalls selling all sorts of things from hog to paella. And there was also the wholesale market with vegetables of all kinds, fish, meat, pastries and fruits.
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Don and I each had a meat pie for lunch from Pieminister |
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I was totally tempted by this amazing paella, but gave way to the meat pie! |
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A whole pig roasting on the spit. |
The fresh market food rivaled the showcase we found in Harrods.
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Fresh harvested scallops! |
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Meringues |
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Is this an incredible picture or what? |



Don and I were getting hungry, so we stopped by to get out English pies which we ate in a little seating area in the market. Then it was time for me to get back to the Globe and for Don to head for his Les Miserables.

I got in the line at the Globe around 12:15, and I was #9 in line. We were waiting for people to come and turn their tickets in or call to cancel their tickets. It wasn't until about 1:30 that a guy came out with some tickets. I was now #5. Then he came out with Groundling tickets only. They were only 5 Pounds ($7.50) but they were standing only. Oh, I didn't want to stand. Remember, I had been standing in line since 12:15 and my legs were really tired. But a young girl behind me had seen The Tempest just last night and she was standing in line because she wanted to see it again. It was her first time seeing a production in the Globe and it was so good she wanted to see it again! So I bought the Groundling ticket for 5 pounds. I was heading up the stairs towards the theater and thought, How long is this play? Can I really stand for much longer? So I turned around and went back to the line. The play was 3 hours!! There was no way I was going to be able to stand for three more hours! So I sold my Groundling ticket to the next person in line and waited.... more Groundling tickets became available... It was now 1:50 and the show started at 2:00!! Then a lady said, "I have a ticket."
"Is it a Groundling?" I asked.
"No. It's an obstructed view for 18 pounds."
"I'LL TAKE IT!"
Well it turned out to be the first balcony. There was a post to my right, but the seat next to me was vacant, so I just moved over and saw perfectly.
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See how many people are in the Groundling section |


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Prospero and Ariel |
The acting was beyond magnificent. Prospero and Ariel were fabulous, but my most favorite character was Caliban. He was so surreal and his movements and voice made him seem inhuman at times.
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Caliban |




Another great day in London!
3 comments:
Nancy, your words, your photos and your feelings are beyond my words of praise for this travelogue. if you want cash for your next adventure, publish girl, publish. Rick Steves, beware!
Keep enjoying. Hugs to you and the guys, SHB
I cannot believe what you guys are experiencing, its beginning to make me view London in a different light!! (ok I knew all about the beer and fish & chips) I look forward to showing you some English country villages this weekend so you can contrast and compare.
I agree with SHB.
SO happy to hear about Globe experience.
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