To serve the revolution is to plough the sea

To London at oh god o'clock.

While M went to the National Portrait Gallery with a friend from London, and then shopping, I went to a conference on Latin America, which my Boy had recommended, and rather wonderful it was too. Lots of speakers, including the Venezuelan Ambassador

and Jeremy Corbyn MP, Colin Burgon MP, George Galloway MP,

who talked with a passion about democracy, civil rights, education and healthcare in the Bolivarian Republics of North West South America, and Cuba, and the pressure they are under from diehard US neocons and imperialists who can't stand the people of these countries standing up to be counted to overthrow centuries of Spanish and US (and British) dominance and corruption, exploiting their minerals and oil. By repeatedly voting for indigenous and Socialist governments, especially in oil-rich Venezuela, the people of these countries are finally emerging from poverty, much to the chagrin of their white, wealthy, and now formerly, ruling elites. Made me feel optimistic and all strength to their respective elbows and a relief to know that after 30 years of Thatcher and New Labour, there is still a spirit of comradeship and solidarity in this country. Anyway. I bought the T shirt and the book of Hugo Chavez by Bart Jones
During the extended lunch period I took a walk to the RA to see the Byzantium exhibition, which, although impressive, was far too busy and made me think I would actually prefer to be by the Med looking at the ruins for real.
Emerging from the RA, I stumbled upon a huge Green demo passing down Piccadilly

(and as Oxford Street, which is parallel, was also closed to all traffic for a pedestrian day, made me question the Mayor of London's co-ordination skills as far as traffic is concerned). I had no inkling it was going on, but I would probably have joined. So it was busy, and I thought to myself "Crikey, it's like Piccadilly Circus round here", which it was.