Something about London, part 3

I am awake again before the crack of dawn. Looking out the window at six I see the moon. That means a clear sky. So I get dressed, grab my gear and head out. To Westminster. At 6:40 I set up my gear in front of Big Ben and wait for the light. Clouds start moving in making me think I might have gotten up in vain. It isn't a spectacular sunrise, no beautiful low light on the buildings, but it it is not a waste of time either. I do alright. And just after eight I arrive at my hotel to get me some breakfast.

I leisure for a bit before heading out again. The British Museum is my next destination. No exhibitions for me, the main hall is all that has my interest. You should really get in before opening hours to photograph it. The visiting crowds are swarming the hall and stairs like little ants. You'd also need a huge wide angle or fisheye. My 24mm sure doesn't cut it. So I focus on the details and the people.

Since I had a jam packed day yesterday and an early morning rise today I decide to take it easy for the rest of the day. Doing some people watching in St. James' Park in the afternoon. Letting little grey squirrels entertain me. They give me a good few sniffs and one of them even dares to climb my shoe just to see if I brought any nuts. Sorry little fella.

The rain washes away the night. Together with the first signs of yet another cold, it keeps me from visiting my final destination. Somerset House by night. It does however give me time to contemplate. Other places I visited gave me an immediate feel for the place. A sense of genius loci if you like. London puzzles me. I feel I wandered the streets as I've lived in them all my life without the true sense of wonder I had in Prague or Berlin. Mind you, even though I loved the magic of Prague and dearly want to revisit it, I could never live there. Just like Berlin. It felt at home as a visitor, but not permanent. London? I don't know. I didn't feel like a tourist, ever. Just someone who happened to be there and photograph the city. And someone who will come back, just to be there.