London Day 9

Monday has been another amazing day in London. Looking back it's crazy how much more comfortable I am in my understanding of the city. Today we finally took the time to understand the bus system instead of just zipping through on the tube. We tried and still passed our stop haha but we made and effort and that's what counts. This morning we had a lecture with Dr. Dobbs who is in charge of the Regents Program at Texas A&M- Commerce. We discussed World War I & I I more in depth and detailed to England, Italy, France, and Germany where the group with be traveling while we are in Europe. And also how our regarded topics Nationalism, Enlightenment, and Industrialization effected and were effected by the wars. Industrialization specifically we focused on how without a high industrialized economy and technological culture Germany would not have been able pull of something like the Holocaust. As sad as it is the Holocaust took very strategic planning and high levels of organization. Then this afternoon Emma, Tyler, and I headed back to The National Gallery to spend more time there. 

Since last time we had selected pairings we focused on this time I picked some of my own favorites.  My favorite was Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, and represents welcome and friendship.  

My second favorite was The Thames below Westminster by Claude Monet. The painting mostly focuses on industrialization and the building up of industry along the Thames river. The painting shows steam ships, iron bridges, and even the building of something new on the left of the painting. 

While at The National Gallery I picked up some stamps to finally get the postcards sent off and I picked up a Leonardo da Vinci knot patterned inspired ring. Since typical souvenirs are not normally my thing I have decided to get a piece of jewelry from each country I visit that way each item would have personal meaning to me. 

Leonardo knot inspired ring from The National Gallery. 

This evening we hung around the hotel to get some much needed wifi tlc. I even got the chance to FaceTime my family and my brother Nathan who is staying with the Weichmans. Only one more day in London then it's off to Rome on Wednesday!

FaceTime with Nathan and the Wiechmans.