made it

Matt checking out a Turner.

The awesome exterior of the Tate Britain.

ACTUAL PIGMENTS FROM TURNER'S STUDIO-HE TOUCHED THESE PROBABLY!!!

Ahh look at the way he applies the paint, look at that texture and all of those colors!

AN ACTUAL SKETCHBOOK OF TURNER'S!

Here we are outside of Westminster!

So here I am!! I made it to London with really no problems, and spend the first day sleeping, eating and exploring the area where Matt lives. Also, of course, hanging out with him. And meeting all of his very kind friends. I'm looking forward to getting to know them all better.

Today (my second day here), was probably a peak life experiences. One of those days you never forget. Oh I know how ridiculous and portentous I sound, but I'm being serious. As soon as I explain, you'll all understand. Matt and I went to the Tate to see the Turner's ("oh my god Emily is so weird with her love of Turner" I'm sure you're all thinking). AHHHH!!! You all know how I feel about Turner. And to have Matt there with me!?! Oh my goodness if there had been a painting of Keats or something of his there I would have exploded because of joy. I was just about to anyway.

There were so many of them, I had forgotten how many there were at the Tate. Oh my god I just love how Turner handles paint, color and texture! And to make the situation even more fantastic for me, the Turner wing of the museum had an exhibit up called "The Romantics". How applicable to my journey is that? It was so cool to see Turner's stuff up next to his contemporaries (most importantly, Blake), get a really rounded out view of English Romanticism in painting. Clearly I was born in the wrong time and place.

Another favorite part of today: While lounging on a bench in the "Art and Sublime" room, I watched a little boy (probably 9 or 10), pretend to shoot a bunch of museum-goers (myself and matt included). He was being very stealthy about it, clearly there was some sort of war going on, because right after he "shot" me, he pretended to get shot in the arm, keeled over, then picked himself up and limped away. It was hysterical.

After the time in the Tate we headed along the Thames to see Parliament and Westminster. The sun came out as we were walking and the sky turned a brilliant shade of blue. Perfect weather for a stroll. We also hit up Primark (and I got a much needed pair of shoes for 6 pounds! lets just say I should have done a better job breaking in my boots before I left) on Oxford street, it was a zoo!

Thats all for now my dears. I'm off to have dinner with Matt and his friends. I love you all!