London trip affords invaluable lesson
By Shawn Sullivan
STAFF WRITER
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Photo Submitted By Shawn Sullivan |
Last semester, I wrote about my experiences in Ireland. I will tell you about my last month of European excursions. London was the first big city I visited and my second favorite city to which I went.
My first stop was the historic Tower of London, which has 13 towers. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it served as a royal palace, prison, treasury and Royal Mint, and is currently the home of the English crown jewels. Seeing the British crown jewels was absolutely breathtaking. There is a priceless collection of orbs, scepters, swords, crowns and jewelry.
The world famous Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London give tours. They have lived in the Tower since 1485.
From the Tower, you can see the famous Tower Bridge, which many tourists call the London Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, I made a stop by the reincarnation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. It was somewhat disappointing, but it was interesting seeing what the theater looked like before the Great Fire of 1666.
After this, I made my way to Big Ben, which was one of those “Welcome-to-London” moments.
After strolling by the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, I went on a Jack the Ripper walking tour. I walked to the places of the murders, and learned about the case and its possible perpetrators. Our guide was dressed in a time-period costume.
I began my last day with the London Eye. In my previous trip to the United Kingdom, I encountered England’s famous fog. It rained for the first half of the day. Although I was in a small egg-shaped capsule, the London Eye gave a great view of London.
After the London Eye, I met my friend from home who is studying at Kent in Buckingham Palace. There was no changing of the guard, but I did see where Queen Elizabeth II hangs out.
My friend and I went to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, which is a museum dedicated to the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The museum contains artifacts from Churchill’s life and his bunker, which was used often during the Battle of Britain.
Then I sauntered down to see parliament member Gordon Brown at 10 Downing St., the U.K. equivalent to the U.S. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Apparently, he did not know I was coming because there were a dozen armed guards surrounding his place.
I went to the pub instead, where I received not only a warm welcome, but also a cold pint. I also checked out Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. I walked by all those expensive shops such as Prada and Gucci boutiques.
One European highlight was the British Museum, though the name should be changed to the World Museum because it holds artifacts of all civilizations. The first thing you see in the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone (a slab of rock). There is also the original Elgin Marbles from the Athenian Parthenon. Since there are wings and rooms packed with numerous artifacts, my head could not comprehend the amount of history in the museum.
In one room, there were more mummies than I’ve seen so far in my life. There is the Enlightenment Room, which is full of original books and manuscripts from the Renaissance. A person could spend days there. The best part is that it’s free, as are most museums in London.
Afterwards, I went to the pub across the street, called the Museum Tavern. My friend from home told me Karl Marx drank there while writing about communism. In my journey looking for the best pubs and bars, I drank where the movers and shakers drank.
At the pub, I met two American archaeologists from Los Angeles. They arrived from the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and were going to Oxford to collect notes from the area. When I inquired if they found mummies, they said they found three family members of a pharaoh.
Though I only spent two days in London, I could spend a lifetime there. If you go to Europe and don’t visit London, you have wasted your time because there is something there for everyone. Girls will love the shopping, while guys will love the sports and drinking. Everyone will love walking around the city.
The only negative thing about London is it’s expensive. However, London is a microcosm thanks to the tactics of the British Empire.
So, if you ever get a chance, you must go because any time in London will not be wasted.
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