The Charles Dickens Museum, Vol. II

Precisely two millennia ago, or so it seems, I posted the first of a two-part series chronicling my visit to the Charles Dickens Museum on Doughty Street. Since my Achilles' Heel is procrastination, the concluding post is only now just arriving. Tut, tut.

As someone whose passion for books is, ironically, beyond words, visiting a site of literary significance is such a special time for me. They are my Mecca. Moving about the intimate spaces where beloved authors lived and wrote is a transcendent experience. I often imagine that the ghost of the writer in question lingers behind, looking upon the visitors whose lives he has touched with his words. 

What would Dickens think of the fuss made over him today? Considering he was well known and popular during the Victorian period, part of me thinks he'd be used to the attention. The other part can't help but feel that even Charlie D. would be amazed at the growth and endurance of his authorial celebrity. Would he feel mortified knowing strangers were looking over his commode and other personal belongings? I would!

Here's a glimpse of my time spent exploring Dickens's home on 48 Doughty Street. Located in the lovely Bloomsbury neighborhood in London, the museum warrants a visit from any Dickensian fanatic...

Here I am, in Charlie D's foyer

A Christmas garland festoons the banister

Personal letters line the hall

I believe this one was sent to Dickens's illustrator George Cruikshank

A collection of author photographs

The drawing room was decorated for Christmas, Victorian style

I'm digging the furniture, but what's up with the creepy mask?

I love the Victorian Christmas crackers

Mr and Mrs Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol

Painted by Dickens's daughter Katey, born at this house

Special exhibit on Dickens as an orator

His personal reading copy of Sikes and Nancy

Notes added for emphasis (and when Dickens expects a laugh?)

Oliver! exhibit

Nancy's costume from the musical production

Commode owned by the family

where Dickens presumably sat his royal bottom

The table which saw Dickens's last written words

Priceless!

My favourite item in the giftshop: Charles Dickens Action Figure

Complete with quill pen and removable hat!

Saying farewell...

The view from Doughty Street

Ah, what a fantastic visit. I look forward to stopping by again in the future!

P.S. Vol. I of my Charles Dickens experience.

The Charles Dickens Museum, Vol. I

It occurred to me when I wrote about the Dickens Bicentenary that I had yet to share my experience visiting the Charles Dickens Museum when I went on a mini-break to London last Christmas. So, in honour of this quintessential author on his 200th birthday, I would like to take you on a little tour of his former home on Doughty Street, London.

In hindsight, I explored the museum at the perfect moment. I was finally starting to comprehend of the brilliance of Dickens novels and was consequently more open minded to embracing what I saw there. Visiting just three days after Christmas, I wasn't faced with crowds of tourists. Victorian Christmas decorations (particularly in the drawing room) brought a holiday atmosphere to the home of one who wrote so effectively about Christmas and the spirit of giving. It was a lovely touch. Mostly, however, I greatly appreciated that the museum was quiet and peaceful, allowing me to have a personal experience with these Dickensian relics.

So, on the with the show...

Welcome to 48 Doughty Street!

 The entrance hall

Pause for a self-portrait

 Down to the cellar...

For a view of the kitchen

Bars from the Marshalsea

where Dickens's father was imprisoned for debt

Bust of the young author

Looking onto Doughty Street from Dickens's study

His paper knife

Late photo of Catherine Dickens -- poor woman!

Catherine's handkerchiefs

Room at the back of the house

This page from a manuscript was accompanied by a note

explaining that Dickens lived in a time when there were no computers

News flash!

A creative representation of the literary imagination

Signatures

This concludes part one of the tour. Part two shall follow shortly. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend! 

Bloomsbury

I love this touch of red

During my most recent trip to London a few friends and I ventured to Bloomsbury in search of the Charles Dickens Museum.  The house was unexpectedly closed.  I had fortunately been through the literary site over Christmas (I still need to share those pics) so my disappointment was minimal.  It was still great to walk through this charming London neighborhood on a warm day.  With streets of Georgian townhomes and verdant parks, Bloomsbury has a wonderful atmosphere.  

 For those who don't know, this borough of London is particularly well known for the Bloomsbury Group, a group of writers and intellectuals who gathered in the neighborhood to discuss...whatever it is intellectual clubs discuss.  I've never been part of one so I couldn't really say.  Does anybody fancy establishing one with me? :)  In any case, its most famous members include Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster.  If you're ever in the area, Bloomsbury is a bit of London worth exploring. 

This little Scottish Terrier is adorable

I couldn't help but laugh at the name of this establishment

A quaint little park

Amanda, Liz and Ana navigate the streets

I would quite gladly take possession of either of these townhouses

Standing at Charles Dickens's door

He apparently wasn't at home

Snippets from My Last Weekend in England

Dear England,

I haven't even left yet, but I already miss you like crazy.  See you soon. xx

Big Ben & Parliament

When I was in London over the holidays I walked down to the Thames one night to capture a few photos of London's iconic monument.   

I remember the first time I spotted Big Ben.  I was flying to London for a six-week study abroad program with my university back home.  It was my first time out of the country and my first time flying solo.  For some silly reason I was nervous about navigating the airport during my layover, fearing that I would be unlucky and/or stupid enough to miss my connection. 

As I flew across the States and over the Atlantic I grew more and more excited.  Since I was traveling with an English airline I was enamoured by the flight attendants' accents and British terminology.  Little quirks I now take for granted delighted me, such as the flight attendant's offer of a sweet (as opposed to candy).

Beginning our descent, I caught my first glimpses of Britain.  From the air it appeared to be a sea of various shades of green.  Then as we lowered down into London, the clouds cleared and there was Big Ben.  The plane seemed to shift and circle around the clock tower solely for my benefit -- incidentally, it hasn't happened to me since that first flight.  It was an ideal introduction to a country I have truly come to love. 

Right.  Enough of this sentimental reminiscing.  Let us move on to the photos.

I wondered if something top secret was taking place

in this state room at midnight

Taken from the bridge

Can we pretend my inept photography

produces artistically blurry results?

And that bad lighting lends a Gothic atmosphere

to pics like these? Thanks!

I learned the hard way that snapping

self-portraits with such a building is not easy

Crossing the embankment at night

I felt especially short snapping this shot

Dear friends and family, did you have any similar experiences when venturing to far away places for the first time?  Were you nervous, excited; did it feel surreal?  It was for me until I had to show my passport to get on the plane.  I'd love to hear about your travel experiences!