The BRITISH MUSEUM....It's one of the most amazing museums in the world. Of course, it's always helpful to have an empire when stocking your museum. The British Museum has treasures from all over the globe. (And, a lot of the globe wants them back.) On my first trip, I had to see the Rosetta Stone. Incredible! And then, there are the Parthenon Marbles (also called the Elgin Marbles, after Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin, who stripped them from Athens.)

Less controversial, and equally magnificent, was the touring exhibition of Terra Cotta Soldiers from China. It seemed like everyone in London wanted to see The First Emperor. I was on that list. I went online to get my tickets. Weekends were sold out so I had to settle on 10:50 on a Thursday evening. And coming to London from the continent, I had another hour to add to that with the time change. My eyes stuggled to focus; I was so tired that I was dizzy; but it was an amazing experience.

I expected only (only!) twenty soldiers, but there were weapons, pottery, and even a chariot with horses. Only problem is now I want to go to China to see the rest of the army.

MARTIN