Thursday
London, take two. Rememberance Day. Armistice Day.
After a brekafast of leftovers, Rachel and I departed for London on a 10:30a.m. train. Once in London, we did the following city tour.
St. Paul's Cathedral -> Millenium Bridge -> The Globe -> National Theatre -> Houses of Parliment, -> Fortnum & Mason -> Buckingham Palace -> Barracks -> London Eye -> HQ
St. Paul's Cathedral:
While the current cathedral is not the original one, cathedrals have been at the site, dedicated to St Paul, for over 1400 years. The current cathedral stands around a 100 meters tall and overlooks most of London's skyline. It has survived the bombing of London in World War II (there is a famous picture of the dome surrounded in black smoke) and inside it are many plaques recognizing the U.S. and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defence of the cathedral.
The whole place is open. Walking into the main body of the cathedral I was cosumed by the vast space. All arround me I could see giant statues of religious figures, honored soldiers and importnt people. Looking up from the center of the main floor I could all the way to the top of the dome.
We chose to walk the first 257 steps, of the 528 total steps in the building, to the Whispering Gallery. The Whispering Gallery is an indoor balcony that looks over the main floor of the cathedral. Along the wall of the balcony is a thin wooden bench. The Whispering Gallery has been designed sugh that a person can whisper along the wall and his/her whisper can be heard by someone sitting opposite them. We tried to test the effect, but could only achive up to 40 feet because our whispering was interrupted by the loud chatter of newly arriving school children on a field trip.
After this failed attempt, we walked up the next 119 steps to the Stone Gallery. The Stone Gallery is an outdoor balcony. It allowed me to do my first picture taking session of the day. One hundred and fify two steps further was the Golden Gallery; the highest point a person is allowed to climb to. The Golden Glalery is truly astonishing. It is so small that it takes only a few steps to walk in a complete circle. The balcony leaves the person standing in it exposed to the elements. As the wind blew, people walking around the Golden Gallery were seen swaying to its preassure.
Deciding not to try flying for the first time, we climbed down the 528 steps to the main body of the cathedral and walked out quietly, observing the statues as we went.
Millenium Bridge:
As a Harry Potter fan, I had to pay my dues. The bridge isn't as exciting as the movie makes it out to be. The cables don't break and Death Eaters do not fly overhead. Maybe next time.
The Globe:
Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Shakespeare. Before I saw the Globe I had preconceived notions of its size and design. I excepted a giant theatre with a green courtyard and street vendors. The theatre is in fact a nicely sized circular theatre, three floors tall. It is white and has beautiful metal gates with animal designs at its enterance. While entering the brick courtyard you can hear guides talk enthusiastically about the theatre's history and Shakespeare's works.
The National Theatre:
This theatre dwarfs the Globe. The theatre is a large brick building with an open lobby to receive and sit its guests. I did not get to see a show; rather, I only just enjoyed its warmth and shelter for a few minutes. Rachel and I dodged in there when London decided to have 10 minutes of gusts of rain. My jeans were so soaked by the time we entered the theatre that it appeared I had kindly wet myself. My SuperDry jacket became 'SuperWet.'
Houses of Parliment, Buckingham Palace and the Barracks:
After seeing these ginormous, beautiful, well designed and well lit buildings, I believe the U.S.A. could learn a thing or two about how to treat its representitives. That's all I have to say. Enjoy the pictures.
Fortnum & Mason:
Posh. That's the way a lot of English people describe this store and its location. Posh is similiar to the word rich and it can be said as an insult or as a compliment. Walking to Fortnum and Mason I passed designer shops that sold suits, art work and luggage. During this walk I passed the Ritz Hotel. This hotel is a hotspot for tea. Upper class citizens attend the Ritz in good company and in fine dress. A person will not be permited to enter if their outfit is not suitable.
Fortnum & Mason, while posh, provides entertainment. The multi level department store allows oe to do their gift shopping, grocery shopping, lunch and dinner. It is rumored that some of the rich folk send their butlers to shop at F & M for them.
The basement of F & M is the grocery sections. Like most grocery stores you'll find your daily requirements. However, you will also find foods that most people have never hear of. A few examples include roasted wurms, dried turantula and chocolate raisins. Yum... :-p
The ground floor is by the far the best floor in F & M. It is the chocolate and sweets floor. Like whole foods, free samples are all over the place for you to taste the deliciousness prior to your purchase. The chocolate comes in many varieties and there are some combinations that make Heart Attack look like a two year old's creation ( I don't mean to insult the little ones).
Floors one through three of F & M are dedicated to holiday shopping. There was a clothing section, a christmas sections, a book sections and a gentlemen's section (this section sold bar room games and mens clothing). Almost anything you could wish for. One floor sold a $320 teddy bear. It had arms, legs, fake fur and everything! :)
I will never know what is on any floor above floor three. I want to, I really do. I was scared to go past the sign that said, "Inivitation Only."
London Eye:
London Eye was a good end to a long day. Prior to boarding the ferris wheel I was sent to enjoy Merlin Entertainment's 4-D Experience. I use enjoy in the most inenjoyable way I can. The theatre was done like the theatre in the Golan. Fans blew in your face, fog machines produce smelly fog and the light show wasn't all the interesting. To top it all, Merlin Entertainment decided to give its guests 3-D glasses and a fake photo of them standing above London. The real problem with the whole experience is that the during the 4-D experience I was shown all the possiblities that never happened at the London Eye. Examples include a Chinese dance with a dragon costume and Bollywood dancing.
The actual London Eye was wonderful. A few of the people in the waiting que packed into a glass pod. We were then taken around the Eye very slowly. From the pod I got to see a beautifuly lit London. Each building had aditional lights to add a special character to London's night sky.
If any of this comes across negatively, I am sorry. While I may criticize parts of my day trip, you should understand this: without experiencing the good, the bad, the beautiful and the boring I could not have experienced London.
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