Yesterday after class I finally decided to go out exploring on my own. I was in a great mood after finding out I was accepted to my third law school. At around 11am, I took the Underground to Embankment and walked to the National Gallery. The weather was perfect. It wasn’t too cold and the sun was finally out.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery is enormous. You can probably spend two or three days. I like to take my time and examine each painting. I was looking at some paintings from the Italian Renaissance when I started having trouble breathing. I reached into my bag and grabbed my inhaler. As I was doing this I noticed that my hands were red, the allergic reaction was coming back. I tried to ignore it for another ten minutes or so but I quickly realized I needed to find a pharmacy to buy an anti-histamine.
Trafalgar Square
Reluctantly, I left the Gallery after not even being there for a full hour. I asked a man if he knew where the nearest pharmacy was and he pointed me in the direction of Piccadilly Circus where there was a Boots (a pharmacy chain like CVS in the United States.) I found the pharmacy with no problem and found the allergy section. I had no idea what to buy but I bought this one brand of medicine that said it was for hay fever and skin allergies. I took a pill and tried to relax. I decided not to go home immediately, hoping the medicine would just kick in and be fine. I continued walking around and taking pictures.
Piccadilly Circus
After Piccadilly Circus I found myself near Buckingham Palace and decided to take a walk through the park. I was feeling better and the park though quite small made me think of Central Park back home. I love Central Park. This park was really charming with a little lake in the middle of it. I took a lot of pictures.
St. James's Park
After the park I kept walking and found myself by the Household Calvary Museum. I didn’t go in, but the building was very pretty and outside there were people on horses dressed as guards. I watched them for a while.
Household Calvary Museum
I then found myself in Chinatown which again made me miss New York quite a bit. Monday was Chinese New Year so Chinatown was still decorated and people still seemed to be celebrating. Unfortunately I then realized that the allergic reaction was coming back full force.
Chinatown
I found the nearest Underground station in order to take myself back to the hospital. By the time I got there my throat was swollen and I had trouble swallowing. I spent about 6 hours in the hospital. This time they took blood and ran a few tests. They still cannot figure out what’s causing this reaction. It’s not the laundry detergent. The doctors advised me to find a general practioner here so that I can be regularly monitored.
I’m having a great time in London except for this health situation. I really hope it gets worked out soon.
-J
January 29, 2009 at 3:31 pm
(I tried to leave a comment but my internet freaked out so ignore me if I’m repeating myself)
This must have been so scary for you! But you seem like you keep calm under pressure. I hope they figure it out soon. Lovely pictures by the way! I want to go to London now!
January 29, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Thanks MissB! London is so beautiful. My pictures hardly do it justice! I really hope this health situation is settled soon so I devote all my attention to seeing the sights!
January 31, 2009 at 4:42 am
That looks like a really good tour. We had one similar in my British monarchy class – we started at the National Gallery and ended at Westminster abbey – very educational! haha oh and when i first arrived to London I had similar health problems as well as half the people in my dorm room. I think I was sick for about five months until my mom send me some multi vitamins from the states. I’m pretty sure they sell them at boots and it’s always worth a try.
hope you get better!