Killing time in London

(Like last weekend, this weekend was eventful enough to fill several blog posts, plus, nothing too exciting ever happens during the week, so I need to stretch it out. Just to give you an idea, I took 230 photos this weekend, so expect to see at least 23 of them.)
I spent the weekend in Scotland, and I decided not to bring my laptop with me, both as a theft-prevention measure and for the sake of my sanity. I think I check my email far too often considering how few emails I actually receive. So I bought a notebook at the train station and wrote this blog post the old fashioned way. (illegibly) I actually feel rather like a reporter, although I think my credibility is undermined by the fact that I'm writing in purple sharpie.
I had purchased (heavily discounted) advance tickets to arrive in London at 3pm. My overnight train to Scotland departed at 11:50pm. Arriving in London nearly nine hours early for a train turned out to be a challenge. Most of the enjoyable things to do in London are far less enjoyable alone, in mid-winter, with a backpack. I packed two of my textbooks in my backpack, so that when I inevitably found a place to sit and rest, I would have something productive to do.
I decided to try out the Cafe in the Crypt of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, which happily turned out to be right by Trafalgar Square. My hot chocolate was average, but the location was very cool, and best-of-all, no one bothered me as I spend an hour reading about International Trade Law. (fascinating, I know).

It really is a crypt!

I had considered going to see the play The Lion in Winter, but owing to some unwise choices regarding my bedtime Thursday night, I was afraid a play would just help put me to sleep. Besides, I've already seen the movie. So I decided to go see a film instead of a play, though it irks me that cinema tickets are close to the price of decent discounted theatre tickets. Finally inspiration struck, and I wandered over to Shaftesbury Avenue to see if I could get a ticket to my favorite musical, Les Miserables. During the summer, it was next to impossible to get day-of-show tickets to see Les Mis, but Friday I was in luck. I even got an unobstructed view for only 5 pounds more than the cheapest severely obstructed view seats!

After my success at the box office, I ate again at Yo Sushi. I hate to repeat myself, but I had a coupon, and this time I actually ate some raw dead fish. It's ok, and certainly less repulsive to me than under-cooked dead cow, but I still prefer cooked fish. Finally, with an hour left before my show, I went to the National Gallery, back at Trafalgar Square. I lasted for about ten minutes of walking around the museum, then just enjoyed sitting on a bench and watching people. Finally I walked back to the theatre. I took a shortcut through Chinatown, and got to see all the paper lanterns put up for Chinese New Year.

The lights change colours

The National Gallery and the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

National Gallery

See the posters for Les Mis? The Queen's Theatre is right on the edge of Chinatown

A pretty good view

This is the third time I've seen Les Mis in London, and the fifth time I've seen the musical live, and I still love it! Eponine made me cry, as usual, but I also cried for Gavroche and Enjolras. There was one difference this time, when right in the middle of the sewer scene the lights went out and a voice announced that the show was having technical difficulties but would resume shortly. I was slightly hoping they'd have to refund my ticket so I could see the musical a sixth time for free, but the show restarted in about five minutes. My best guess is that they were having trouble with Javert's bridge, but I can't be certain. After the show I headed for Euston to catch the train to Edinburgh. I felt like I'd done a weekend's worth of activities, and yet I hadn't even started my journey. The rest of the story will have to wait. This post is too long already, and I need to go move my laundry.