I had never been to London before I went on this trip, and honestly, I was only there for the day so I can't say I have much more than a superficial impression of the city (fussy, elegant, and a little precious in the best way), but I liked it. My friend Rob met me at the train station where I arrived via Eurostar from Paris and we took a lovely walk around and he had lots of fascinating things to say and point out on the way, including a charming little park that is the setting for his essay in the collection, Circle Line. After I gave that talk I mentioned at Penguin, I picked up a few books, including the new Dorian Gray edition that allows readers to design their own covers. Of course I wanted to see the Designer Classics in person but they are absolutely all gone, every one, and as I pointed out, that is, as they say in Alabama, a high-class problem. Then we went to lunch at Axis, which was an excellent choice. From there, Rob walked me to Trafalgar Square and then pointed me in the direction of the National Gallery, where I didn't linger too long but did admire the Madonna of the Pinks. I walked around for a couple of hours, making the obligatory stop at Topshop, where I almost burst into tears due to the sheer sensory overload but kept my cool long enough to buy a brilliant black wool cropped wrap jacket with bracelet-length sleeves that fastens with an oversized safety pin from the bottom floor concession of local designers (in this case, Sharei La'Mar). I continued strolling around and picked up a Jamelia CD, per Idolator's recommendation and then stopped for tea and a bite to eat before returning to Paris 'round midnight. It was all very grand.
Previously: Paris Journal.
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