For those who are actually following along on this journey with me, you will have noticed a break, with my last entry being May 29 and a summary of the experience in Japan. I traveled to Maui from Tokyo and didn’t feel that there was much to offer from poolside so I left the blog until I had some travel experience to share. I spent 2 weeks at home in LA, and then 2 weeks in the Caribbean (St. John and Puerto Rico), where the sun is hot and the water is blue and the biggest decision each day is about which swimsuit to wear. There was some interesting history and culture in Old San Juan, and some interesting moments in NYC (who doens’t gawk at the costumed characters chatting with the naked painted women)? But truly I feel like this next leg of my journey began today, in London. So, here’s the beginning of this next section.
I’ve been to London a dozen times, but for the life of me I can’t recall when I was last here. While NYC had some very noticable differences (improvements?), mostly what seemed different here is the barricades. And somehow there are some historical references I missed, despite my many visits. After taking the tube in from Heathrow, waiting a couple of hours for my room, and trying to take a quick nap, I headed out and walked 5+ miles around this lovely part of town. I’m staying at the corner of Hyde and Green Parks so am near to Buckingham Palace and just a stroll to Trafalgar Square, and onto Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. All the top spots noted and photographed — just me and a thousand tourists and school groups from many nations. It is, after all, summer holiday season.
Here’s something I didn’t know: Parliament Square represent the different arms of the state on each side of the square. Legislature to the east (the House of Parliament), Executive to the north (Whitehall), Judiciary to the west (the Supreme Court), and Church to the South (Westminster Abbey). Both the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and Westminster Abbey (including St Margaret’s Church), were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987.
And something else of new interest: the pelicans in St. Jame’s Park. They were first introduced to St. Jame’s Park in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador to King Charles II. (I wonder if he also offered any opposition research for the election)? There are many water fowl, and a lovely Balearian crane or two. And many people who rush to photograph the squirrels! What’s that about?
After several hours of the tourist activities, I took the tube to the Hammersmith area to have dinner with Sylvia, a friend I’d met on the Camino and who is living here for awhile while enrolled in a masters program. It was delightful to catch up and to hear about life as an ex-pat. And then I practiced my own skills as a foreigner by finding my way back on the tube. A lovely day in London Town.
As always you present beautiful photos and lots of information I would never had discovered. Enjoy this next adventure! Love you much!