museum – Lessons I learned after I turned 30

Sunday, 20th of May

We got up early(-ish) and bright today to make most of our day.

After the biggest breakfast we had so far, to keep our feet moving the whole day, we headed out in the glorious Sunday sunshine.

A Greek family is sitting next to us at breakfast. We are not sure if they realised we can understand every word they say. The grandpa, who was visiting London for a couple of days is shouting at the daughter and grand-daughters. He is bored. He wants to get out. He wants to get that piece of beef he liked (I think he meant Beef Wellington) to take with him back to Greece. Who on earth wants to get food from here to take back to one of the countries with the best food in the world?

We have a giggle when they leave.

On our way to the tube station we see him walking around outside the hotel until the rest of the family is ready to go.

First stop: The National History Museum. God I love this building. Beautiful, striking, it takes your breath away before you even walk in. And then you walk in and you are in owe! Dinosaurs, rare animals, rare rocks, enormous whales in the most gorgeous surroundings one can imagine. I could stand there for hours just to admire the architecture but hours of wandering has taken it’s toll, so it’s time for a little break.

The nearest place we could have a rest was Kensington gardens, so after a quick detour to get salted caramel ice cream (salted caramel is undeniably one of the best flavours humans ever invented) we sat on the grass, in the sunshine and demolished our ice cream in minutes!

I couldn’t stop watching a group of seniors, all dressed up (I imagine they were probably heading in the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy some classical music) having an ice cream whilst chit chatting. What would I be doing in my 70s? I hope I’m as happy as this bunch.

After our short break we headed to the Science Museum. Which is amazing and fascinating. But by that time we were exhausted so we had a quick look and headed to Harrods instead to imagine for a little how it feels to be rich, what wonderfully bizarre things one can get and pretend to afford we can buy a £4,000 TV and a £1000 Rollex.

I loved the planet, satellite and other extra-terrestial object display at the Science museum. And I managed to take a gorgeous snap of the moon.

My advice: Do not visit both museums in the same day if you want to see all the exhibits or you have other plans. Each takes 2-3 hours to see. At least.

After hours of wandering we grabbed some snacks from Harrods (one of the few things we could afford) and headed to Hyde park to lie in the sunshine.

On our way there we passed by a fancy restaurant, one of those you only see in the movies, with white table cloths, superbly groomed waiters and equally posh customers. I wonder if I’d ever afford to go there. Do I want to though?Mmm maybe once. Dress up and have a ridiculously expensive meal in Kensington. Why not.

Here we are at Hyde Park, lying on the grass, sunbathing, talking about our lives, thinking of what to do next, dreaming of holidays and fun days, with beautiful views all around us.

After a couple of hours we head back to Shepherd’s Bush for some Italian, a glass of Red and a well-deserved sleep after a gorgeous, fun-filled day.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I’ll be 32… And just before I fall asleep, I’m desperately trying to make up my mind how I feel about it…

I opened my eyes… I could hear the rain, it must have rained all night and all of a sudden pain, the moment my senses woke up. I forgot about the pain.

Why? It’s not time yet, it’s not until next week… But it seems that the walking and the excitement of it all had an effect on my body.

It rained, I was in pain and feeling rough, I may be also getting a cold…I was tempted to pop out just to grab some food and then stay in bed for the rest of the day. But I wouldn’t do that. Not on my last full day in Bordeaux.

I popped downstairs for breakfast. Malvina got me a pastel de nata, a Portuguese sweet tart and goat’s milk yogurt, in addition to fresh bread and her delicious organic spreads.

I love chatting with her. Today we talked about life, how she decided to never get married, living alone but with an amazing support network of friends and family, her career as a city planner, working for the government, it reminded me of Parks and Rec, oh I miss it… What a wonderful life she had, full of adventures and now, lucky enough to retire early she spends her time doing whatever she likes. She gave me advice, she made me laugh and made me feel awesome (she thought I was younger than my age but she still thought I was young and I should follow my dreams and not compromise, thanks Malvina!).

After about two hours getting ready, everything still hurting, I was out and about. I had a vague plan for today.

First on the list: A unique, quirky bookstore I discovered online, Machine a Lire. It was more impressive to see up close. And it was so quiet, very appropriate for such an imposing setting.

Next, another bookstore, this one of historic importance, Librairie Mollat, located where political philosopher Montesquieu last lived. It was huge! On my way there a group of school children following their teacher, like ducklings follow their mum, were on their way to the bookstore too, stopping every now and then for the teacher to show them another landmark. I remember when our teachers took us on day trips when we were 6-7 years old. Everything seemed so big, everything impressed us.

After a wander in the enormous bookshop, it was time to visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, the Museum of Fine Arts. I didn’t know what to expect, but in the end it definitely worth more than the five euros entry.

It was split into two buildings, the classic art in one side and modern art on the other (with an impressive palace in the middle).

It’s impossible to list all the artwork that impressed me but the ones that I still remember:

David holding Goliath’s head (Aubin Vouet)

God Hermes, devastated for Sappho’s, the Greek poet, death (Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse)

The Window a La Goulette (Tunisia) (by Albert Marquet), so simple but striking.

The Souliot women (Narcisse Diaz de La Pena) who heroically decided to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Turks back in 1803, and they did so by singing and dancing, the Zalongo dance, I guess not many would know the story behind it, unless you were born and raised in Greece or Cyprus).

And finally an original Picasso, Olga Reading

After a short break for late lunch at the first cafe I bumped into (not the best food I had but it was OK)

and a moment to admire the cathedral

my final stop was Musée d’Aquitaine, a museum on the history of Bordeaux and Aquitaine. It spanned over thousands of years of history, from the palaeolithic age, the first paintings on the wall, the Roman era to modern history. Definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Bordeaux!

The rose window from the Carmelite Convent

And that was the last place to visit in Bordeaux. I made my way home to pack and prepare for my flight tomorrow.

I can’t believe I haven’t travelled on my own before. I loved everything about it. The freedom, the liberation, wandering around, getting lost in streets I’ve never walked down before, ending up in the most random places, discovering new things.

I wish everyone could experience travelling on their own at least once. It’s such a unique, meaningful, emotional, amazing experience, it’s hard to understand until you do it yourself.

I’d definitely do it again, although it’s great to share these moments with loved ones. Here’s to more adventures, small or big, solo or with friends and family, that’s what’s life it’s all about.

Namaste

Eleni

Category: museum

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