Today we are off again but since it is raining we had decided that our tour today would involve indoor activities as much as possible. According to the forecast it was to clear up by the afternoon. As we arrived at the train station we learned that the train was delayed. We were studying our metro map to consider options when a local man (Haashim) asked if we needed any help. As a result we had a very good conversation with him.
Haashim’s name is Arabic and means ‘Grateful’ and his second name (which I do no remember) means eternal. Therefore his name means ‘eternally grateful’ if I understood him correctly. Regardless Haashim helped us by explaining the subtle methods of understanding the metro system here. Since he is also working in IT we had a lot to discuss and this was good since we were going to a similar area so we were able to travel together for most of the distance.
With his assistance and direction we traveled to the British Museum in a more direct and quicker way than what we had considered. The museum is free entry which is a very nice change and there was very little line-up – likely because it was raining or because it was still quite early in the morning. The entrance from the street looks like a Roman Gothic building with columns and large entrance with a front courtyard. However, once you step through the entrance and head inside the building you enter the ‘Great Court’ which is very modern in design. The domed roof of paneled glass 3 stories above ensures this is a bright and cheerful location.
After studying the options we decided to explore Europe. Other exhibits included Americas (and at a glance realized it was a small sampling and not interesting), Mexico, Ancient Greece and Rome (since we had already been there it would be a duplication), Asia, Middle East, and Early Egypt. The last three would be interesting and if we get a time we may return. For today we headed to the area dealing with European Exhibits. The exhibits are arranged in several rooms and each room is given a specific period of time in the history. Each exhibit included information about culture, lifestyles, commerce/trade, jewellery, pottery and weapons. The rooms were arranged by the following:
- Medieval Europe AD 1050-1500
- Europe AD 300-1100
- Europe 1400-1800
- Europe 1800-1900
- Roman Britain
- Britain and Europe 800 BC – AD 43
- Europe and Middle East 10,000-800 BC
We spent several hours just walking through each of these rooms and enjoying the incredible variety of displays. What is really nice is that as well as the displays there are write ups posted providing us with additional background information to help explain and understand the content in the displays. Of course along with this comes the time to read everything and then to study it. Needless to say we had to take a break and go back outside to sit on the front veranda to each our lunch (yep it was still raining but we needed some fresh air and a dry place to sit and eat).
By the time we got to mid morning the place was starting to fill up. In particular there were some very large groups of students on field trips and again I am reminded how glad I am to be retired and not trying to track a large group of students in such a venue.
Our last room of exhibits to check out was the history of Clocks Exhibit. You can trace the history of clock making at a glance now, and the watches have been pulled together into a single elegant case. More of the collection is on display. The gallery is arranged chronologically, and explores the history of timekeeping from its medieval roots to the modern day. The exhibition includes every form of watch from 16th-century watches to the intricately decorated watches of the 17th century right through to atomic timepieces of the 20th and 21st centuries.
We left the museum impressed and a bit mentally drained. There really is a limit to the amount you can absorb while walking round studying history and artefacts while trying to absorb what you are viewing. We decided that we would walk over to Trafalagar Square and check out a few of the ‘must see’ while in London (which I will get to in a minute). However along one of the streets we discovered a marquee advertising “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” at the Palace Theatre (which is where we were standing). As it turned out the afternoon performance was due to start and we, on an impulsive whim, decided to see if we could get tickets and attend. We were able to get tickets at the last minute and when we picked them up the ticket lady charged us for lower level seats, but gave us top quality seating – what a treat that was.
The performance was incredible, and of course I do not have anything negative to say. The energy, singing and costumes paired with the actors and dancers really lifts your spirits and makes it amazing. Although some of the topics of discussion might offend a few people, it is topics that really do occur and the exposure through dance, music and entertainment of these topics brings to life the realities that some people face and provides opportunities to bring perspective and solutions.
We left the theatre to continue to find out way to Trafalgar Square where we could stand and turn in circles looking at the buildings, towers and water fountains. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of contemporary art. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars. The square consists of a large central area with roadways on three sides, and a terrace to the north, in front of the National Gallery.
I should mention that before we got to Trafalgar Square we did pass Downing Street where we were able to look through the gated street to see #10 Downing Street.
We continued towards the river from the square to walk beside Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster. The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons. There is little that I will say about these three monuments and icons of London England.
Of course before we left the Westminster Bridge we had a really good view and opportunity to take a picture of the London Eye. We were amazed at how slowly the wheel turns but considering it’s size that is likely a good thing.
Our next stroll took us beside the Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church. It is too late today to tour either so we just had a good look at the outside and tomorrow will likely return to tour through.
Our next stop was the Buckingham Palace beside St. James Park. The walk along the park was longer than we had expected but very pleasant. By now the rain had stopped although the clouds floated around blocking the sun more than the sun shone. As you can imagine we only got to see the outside of the Palace and did not even see the Queen waving to us from one of her windows. I am sure if she knew we were walking along out front she would have done so.
You can imagine our surprise, as we walked around the front of Green Park to the front of the Palace, to discover the Canadian Gate. Ceremonial gates to Green Park presented by Canada, the senior Dominion of the British Empire at the time, to the United Kingdom as a memorial tribute to Queen Victoria. The gates were commissioned in 1905 and completed in 1911.
The five portals (ten gates) bear coats-of-arms of the seven provinces present in 1905. The two outermost anchor columns of Portland stone bear the coats-of-arms of three provinces that joined Confederation after project design was completed: Alberta and Saskatchewan (1905) and Newfoundland & Labrador (1949).
As we were joining the mass of other tourists gawking (in awe of course) at the Palace through the fence we could not help but notice the row of Rolls Royce cars lining up for inspection. Apparently there is some type of social happening at the Palace tonight (I am sure our invitation was sent to Kamloops which is why we did not receive it). To gain access to the front gate the cars were checked as they left the street. Then they pulled up to a team of inspectors who went over the car totally, underneath the car, the wheel wells, through the trunk and under the hood. Then once that was cleared they drove to the actual gate where once again they presented their credentials before being driven through. We noticed all this as spectators standing about 5 feet away so we had a great time studying the cars and trying to figure out who was sitting in the back seats. (I did not recognize any of them!). By now it is getting late and is really starting to feel tired, so it is time to head to the metro to head home. On our way we walked past the Royal Mews. A Royal Mews is a mews (i.e. combined stables, carriage house and in recent times also the garage) of the British Royal Family. We noted that we could take a tour so that is now on our list for the future, but not today. We have done enough for one day, and hopefully not too much.
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