Last Saturday, I toured the Houses of Parliament. It was a very interesting tour, although I wasn't allowed to take picture inside, which is too bad because there is a great bronze statue of Margret Thatcher looking fierce. Margret actually unveiled the self statue when it was presented. She was pleased that it was made of bronze because it is indestructible. However, she would have preferred it be made of iron.
Big Ben in all his glory.
These photos were taken while I was waiting in line to enter.
Oliver Cromwell
Big Ben peeking out from behind Parliament
And this was the end of the tour!
Okay, here is what you missed on the inside. We started in Westminster Hall where they broke us up into smaller tour groups. From there, we walked through Stephen's Hall which is lined with white statues of former important peeps. High ceilings, old walls and wallpaper. Pretty much what you would expect of England. Next we went through the House of Commons where we stood in between the lovely, leather bench seats. We were not allowed to sit on them. "You have to earn your seat." The same thing happened when we went into the House of the Lords. We walked the same path that the Queen walks when she address Parliament and saw the throne that she sits in. We also visited the central lobby, that's where Mags Thatcher is erected, along with Winston Churchill and two other old dudes. The tour itself was almost two hours. My tour guide talked about the history of the building and some of the art work and statues that adorn it. Very interesting stuff.
Just outside after my tour.
There was this one guy in my tour group, you know the one, he kept asking a million questions and slowing the whole tour down. Anyway, when I got outside I wanted a picture in front of Big Ben and he was the only one around to ask. This is the shot that he took. That's his crazy wife trying to figure out how to turn off her iPhone. It rang during the tour.
My official visitor pass.
The London Eye in the foreground.
Last Friday, the sun came out! I was so happy since I didn't have any classes and I didn't have to work so I spent the whole day in Hyde Park. I love it there! I think it will be the place I miss most.
The Round Pond. I don't know why but it reminds me of Mary Poppins. I'm not really a fan of that movie and I don't know if I have seen it in it's entirety but for some reason being at the Round Pond reminds me of the film. The Simpons did a great parody of Mary Poppins.
Queen Victoria sitting proudly in front of Kensington Palace.
Susan "the lady's not for turning" B.
