This just in: I really am in love with the city of York. I know this because even though London is amazing, wonderful and gloriously overwhelming, I was genuinely excited to return to what I'm quickly considering home. However, an update on the places I've been to: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tate Modern Art Gallery, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus (easily the busiest place I've ever been at night,) Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace. That's not a full list but it's all I can think of right now. I wouldn't mind living in Kensington Palace, I'll tell you that much. There's a certain serenity about it and the surrounding park that's a pleasant surprise in the middle of the organized chaos that pervades the streets.

On another note, I don't much understand modern art. However, I saw a piece by Rothko- 9 magenta-y purple murals originally commissioned for the 4 Seasons that I stayed by for a very extended period of time. My favorite part about museums with stuff that I don't get is watching the other people look at art. When they stand back with their arms folded, all I can think about is if they don't get it either but are trying to look like they do. It'd be funny if modern art was actually a giant hoax making people think they're looking at something fantastic while the artists snicker in the back. Or maybe I'm just a philistine. Probably the latter!

I don't much like long posts, and this one exceeds my comfort levels; pictures to come later