Hello! Thought I should blog about London before I forgot what we did there!
Stephanie in front of Buckingham Palace
The International Society at The University of Winchester organized this trip for the foreign students. It was all Asians, Canadians, and Americans. I suppose London is old hat to the European students. We got a super discount and my Advisor was kind enough to let Russell go too (otherwise I would've had to hang out with undergrads--as if).
There were 48 of us on the bus, which is quite a big group to keep together in a big city but I don't think anyone got lost. The first thing that struck me was the traffic. It was Sunday and there were still back-ups, congestion, and a wreck with rubber-neckers (reminded me of home). To cut down on the congestion there is a fee to use a car in London--about $15 a day. The public transportation is so good though that most people don't use cars anyway. Our guide, Susanah, said that her husband had a car but never used it. It was parked on the street and gone 3 weeks before he knew it had been towed. Apparently the signs changed and he never checked. Susanah was really cool and a wealth of information. A 6 ft. 5 Blonde Californian who had lived in London for 12 years, she carried around a floral umbrella and was easy to find in the crowd. Her accent was really interesting to listen to as it went in and out of British and American.
We whizzed around the city as she pointed out different things to do when we returned with more time: Harrods, The London Eye, the British Museum, Half price show tickets in Leicester Square (yes please!). One interesting thing she mentioned about Harrods is that it used to be the official place where the Royal Family shopped. After the owner's, Mohamed Al-Fayed, son, Dodi, was killed in the car crash that also killed Princes Diana, he set up a memorial for them inside the store. However, the memorial says that they were murdered, not killed, implying the Royal family was involved. Needless to say, the Queen and co. shop elsewhere now. (Scandalous!)
We caught the changing of the guard, at Buckingham Palace, which was very cool and official. I love their furry hats which are apparently made out of bear fur (very warm) but have opened debate about their PCness with the Animal Rights peeps. (Controversy!) We did not see the Queen. Maybe next time.
Changing of the Guards
We then stopped by St. James gardens where the rich and royal used to promanade and where the Pelicans live. Then we went to Covent Garden for some shopping and lunch (Bangers and chips aka sausages and french fries :) and watched a real-live street performer. He stood on a ladder in the middle of the square and juggled three big knives. (Dangerous!)
Tower of London was next where we saw the famous Ravens (legend has it that if the Ravens leave, the monarchy and entire British kingdom will fall).
Russell in front of the Tower Bridge
For those who want the British Royal family to stay put, don't worry the birds' wings are clipped. I learned that some of the guards actually live on the Tower of London grounds. I think this would be so fun--I mean you're right next to the famous execution spot of Anne Boylen, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey! We only had a short time at the Tower, so Russell made sure we saw the Crown jewels, dishes, Coronation robe, etc. along with one ginormous pure gold punchbowl. (Par-tay!) Then we went through the armor museum where you could see the different suits for horses, boys, young Henry VIII and big Henry VIII.
King Henry VIII's Suit of Armour
And then it was over. We got an ice-cream and hopped on the bus to go home. Did I mention the weather was really nice? It was.
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