Since we had seen the Parthenon on our cruise through Greece, we figured we'd better go see all the marbles that should have in the museums there but aren't because they are in the British Museum. Lord Elgin, who was the British Ambassador to Greece when it was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the late 1800s got permission from the Turks to pry off the statues and the friezes and bring them back to England. They have been prominently displayed in the British Museum ever since. Even though the Greeks are politely and firmly requesting the back and built a special museum to house them, the British are not giving in. It was really a unique experience to hear the Greek side of the argument and then come home and hear the British side of the "Lord Elgin Marbles" controversy.
After a yummy Italian lunch at Zizzi in Covent Garden, we stopped by Leicester Square where they were preparing for the Harry Potter #7 part 1 premiere. The stars were not expected for several hours, but the crowds (and dementers) were there in force! It was cool to see the red carpet all laid out and the giant screens getting ready to show the arrivals.
We then made our way to the theater where we saw "Stomp." It was really fun. It is amazing how much "music" you can make with household objects and your bodies! The kids had fun participating: clapping and snapping on cue.
After swinging back through Leicester Square--still no stars but pouring rain--we headed back to the tube.
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