This and That – The Elgin Marbles. The Rosetta Stone. And Me!

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Good Evening from London!

Today I fulfilled another dream. I visited the British Museum and explored three items on my museum to-see list: the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, and the Egyptian Gallery. Oh! Dear Gussy! I wandered for over 4 hours in awe at the ancient monuments and statues.

Ropes that were over four thousand years old, which were used to lower the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus into his tomb, looked like they had just been purchased at Walmart. The Elgin Marbles were up a flight of marble steps in a room with a towering ceiling, both of which added to the majesty of the marbles. And then there was the Rosetta Stone, with its “magical” ability to decipher the mysteries of ancient Egypt.

There was another display of amazing clocks, some of which were over 300 years old. Their gentle ticking reminded me that life’s like a clock. We don’t know how long the gentle ticking of our hearts will continue. Regardless of whether you are young or old, one day the timepiece of your life will stop ticking. Therefore, don’t squander time. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Got something to do, to say, to complete? Do it. Time’s a-wasting.

It’s pouring rain here in old London town; a cold, damp rain that drips off the towering window beside my bed. I’ll drift off to the land of nod, warm under my blanket, and think of the incredible sights I saw today. And I’ll also think of my dear friends across the pond.

Big hug to all, Andy.

(Originally posted September 7, 2025)

The towering statue of Buddha greeted me as I ascended to the museum’s second floor.
The blue-glass eyes of a mummy. Haunting.
Exquisite Greco-Roman vases.
The famous Portland Vase. I’ve seen snaps of this all my life, and then got to see it in person. It’s baffling that it’s survived the centuries intact.
The roaring lion from the Babylonian Istar Gate was created in 569 B.C.
Bust of Amenhotep III, Pharaoh of Egypt. This is his massive head and headpiece, which looked to be about 10 ft tall.
A bog mummy over a thousand years old, which still has its hair and skin. Creepy!!
The Meroë Head, also known as the Head of Augustus from Meroë. Another famous Roman bust that I’ve seen pictures of all my life. Got to see it in person. The eyes followed me wherever I went in the room. Yet, another famous, amazing, creepy wonder.
Oh! The Elgin Marbles. I was so happy to get to see them before the British Museum caves in to the worldwide opinion and ships them back to Greece. I hope they stay right where they are. More people will get to see them. This is my opinion and, of course, you are entitled to yours.