London on a Budget

All this fabulous traveling I've been doing has taken a toll on my checkbook, and so I find myself in the middle of January with limited resources until my next paycheck, living in what people call the most expensive city in the world. It's just my luck then that London offers many tourist attractions free of charge, such as most of the major museums. So, after spending some time Saturday morning lounging around in bed with Rick...Steves (as in my favorite London travel guidebook. Oh, look at me being cheeky!), I decided to set out for the British Library, a site that has been on my Must See list since I arrived in August.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home, so these are all a little fuzzy as I took them with my phone.

Leaving Souf London

Check out this amazing hotel just outside the Tube station at St. Pancras/Kings Cross! I'd love to stay here!

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

Pixely take on the traditional British phone booth 

C.S. Lewis really knows what he's talking about 

I have arrived!

Naked Newton measuring the universe outside the British Library

The library houses some of the world's greatest literary treasures and historical documents, including the Magna Carta, very, very, very old Bibles and other religious texts from around the world and even some amazing journals from the great thinkers and writers. They've got the Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest Bibles in existences (from 300 A.D.), beautiful illuminated (aka illustrated) manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels from 698 A.D., and even a Gutenberg Bible from 1455. The library also has on display very early English literature like a copy of Beowulf from the year 1000 and the Shakespaere First Folio from 1623. Important musical documents have also made their way into the museum. You can see the manuscript for Handel's "Messiah" and even a small display of Beatles memorabilia. It's really the most incredible place, and I got to see it all for free. I definitely took my time, soaking in each of these incredible treasures.

Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos of the treasures in the British Library,
but here's a quick look at the inside of the building.

A gorgeous wall of books lines the inside column of the library.

Yay for old printing presses!

A literary twist to the old ball 'n' chain

Continuing with my spendthrift theme for the day, I decided to pop into Starbucks for a quick "free" lunch. Thank you to all my amazing friends and family who've kept me flush in Starbucks cards. Those gift cards really come in handy, especially when the purse is feeling a bit light! :)

Then is was time to head home, but first I took the bus out to Clapham Junction for a little wandering. Then I headed home for a nice, easy Saturday night to relax with some Harry Potter DVDs and a lovely Skype session with my friend Natalie and my parents (and dog, of course!). It was the perfect relaxing evening at home.

Enjoying the view from the upper deck. That's Clapham Common park off to the right and left.

Skyping with Pippy. She doesn't get it...

A friend at work gave me this cute essential oil diffuser and some lavender oil. She knew I had been
getting some pretty bad headaches lately and wanted to help me relax. Isn't that sweet? And I just love it!

I also took some time to unpack my bags from the day, and I almost forgot about purchasing these neat cards. Since I was trying to stick to my budget for the day, I had be very careful in the British library gift shop. But being the major shopper that I am, I just couldn't leave without a few treasures. Good thing the library has the most amazing postcards and posters which make inexpensive (only 10 pence per card!) but memorable souvenirs. I found quite a few that really spoke to me and seemed to highlight a lot of the emotions I've experienced so far during my year abroad. 

Well, this one doesn't have anything to do with my experience. I just love the quote, love the story.

Amen.