Late English Summer

After an utterly depressing August, we have had a lot of sunny and warm days in Sep. Some Swedish folks in the office said, "actually weather in London is not that bad compared with the rest of UK, you sometimes get this very nice late summer weathter in Sep, and if you are lucky it could be quite warm around Xmas. " Even though I think this comment is in relative terms, as weather here is better than most part of Sweden. But there is still some truth in it. London is relatively dry and sunny compared with west coast and certainly better than the weather in North island. So in that sense, I am quite lucky to be in London and I certainly have enjoyed the fabulous late english summer so far!

After six months being in London, I thought I should make a move on my "cultural education". So I went on and got myself a ticket to see the play "Antony and Cleopatra" at Shakespeare globe on south bank. It is a semi open air theatre right beside Tate Modern, so only good time to go there is summer. I was glad I was able to catch the last glimpse of summer glow before it gives away to the autumn! When I got settled in my seat in the upper gallery, I was geniunely delighted to find out that this is a rather old fasioned place. Small, mostly wooden structure, simple, cozy and you hardly find any touch of modern architect. It is a perfect fit for what is being played there, I thought. The only downside I found is that the seats are not very comfortable, there is no seatback, so after a while, your back starts to hurt, and the play was three hours. There are also standing seats, where people just stand around the stage. I actually think it is a better spot to be in. Although I didn't find any old people there, I guess standing three hours is a privilege reserved for young people. And sadly I am nowjuggling between youth and mid age. Crisis stage in life :)

The acting was very good, although the guy playing Antony is a bit old - maybe 55 to 60 I think, not much hair left, I thought Antony was a bit more handsome than that! Listening to a Shakespear play still imposes a quite challenge on me, as the English is a bit different.

Walking out the theatre, I saw the fireworks lighting up the night sky over the river bank. It was fabulous display, people are lined up on the bridge watching it. On my way to the tube station, I gazed at the St. Pauls cathedral illuminating in the distance, for a moment, I was quite content with life.