Anglotopia

Dear London:

Thank you for your outstanding hospitality at the end of February. You did a great job introducing yourself to my father who has never visited before. Your streets were clean and the Tube mostly on time (I still enjoy its communication system and apologizes for even being a minute late. Now if Boston could catch on…). Meanwhile, your traffic is still absolutely insane.

As for the weather, you and Mother Nature did a great job assuring it wasn’t too rainy. Saturday was absolutely brilliant for our cruise down the Thames and our jaunt around Greenwich. I don’t want to sound too greedy, but that pouring rain we had to endure while looking for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see Oliver! was completely

The London Eye

unnecessary. We had a hard enough time finding the place, we didn’t need to get soaked.

Standing in two hemispheres in Greenwich was a treat. Okay, so I am easily pleased…but how many people can say they stood in the East and West at the same time? Prior to our journey down river, we had heard that Greenwich Park was a dump. I’m not sure what park they visited, but we found it to be a pleasant and clean stroll, that quickly turned into a slightly steep hill up to the Royal Observatory. The great views of Greenwich, the Royal Naval College and London were worth it.

We found ourselves deep in military history when visiting Imperial War Museum and the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms. Having never been to the IWM, it was fascinating to learn about World War I and II from the British perspective. The IWM brought the harsh realities of the Great War to the forefront. For me, one of the most moving museum experiences was in the trench room/exhibit. In small groups, you walk through an example of a trench, complete with the darkness, the sounds of bombs and whistles, voices of fellow soldiers and the smell. Oh, the smell! I couldn’t get it out of my nose for hours. You can’t help but be scared and creeped out. But the experience is worth it.

We did leave you once, London, for the day. The family and I took the train up to Ely, in East Anglica to visit friends.

What a wonderful part of the country! I just love it up there and the Ely Cathedral is such a gem. I think my parents found the slower pace of a town to be refreshing.

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, another great moment from our visit. To be part of something that has taken place every single night for 700 years is never to be forgotten. We don’t think twice about locking our homes, but at the Tower of London, locking up for the night is serious business. I wonder if Queen Elizabeth realizes how much of a big deal is made of her keys!

The Monument to the Great Fire of London is a hidden treasure. After one walks up 311 steps, they get unbeatable views of the city. So worth the 3 quid and climb.

Marks & Spencers has yet to let me down. I realize my love of their sandwiches borders on the bizarre, but honestly, I’ve never had a better BLT. Two weeks from now I am guaranteed to start craving them again.

Saw the new official portrait of Princes William and Harry. I love it even more in person. Or maybe I just really love them…

I’m always, always taken aback by who is buried in Westminster Abbey and all of the artwork found in every nook and cranny. If one needs any confirmation regarding the greatness of British heritage, walk around the Abbey. You are guaranteed to step on great thinkers, scientists, actors, writers, politicians, military heroes, kings and queens who changed history and the world forever. The history of civilization is found between its walls.

Look! It is Anne Hathaway!

My sister and I made great attempts to see movie stars at the Alice in Wonderland movie premier in Leicester Square. There we were, in the rain, among too many people screaming at random cars driving by, close yet far enough away from the theater not to  see anyone famous. In an effort to fight boredom, I would lift my camera above the crowd and take pictures. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I got a photo of Anne Hathaway’s back.

Our week did contain a brush with fame: While waiting for the bus in my sister’s adoptive town of Kingston, Judi Dench walked right by us. M!

And of course, I made my pilgrimages to Baker Street and then Abbey Road. Yet again, no sign of Paul McCartney. Maybe some day.

Afternoon tea at Harrod’s is still as delightful as ever. I could go for one of those scones right about now.

Oh, London, it was such a whirl wind trip! It was wonderful to be back, to walk your streets, to pop in and out of shops. Spending part of the afternoon sitting in a Oxford Circus coffee shop drinking tea and reading British newspapers was an activity I could easily get used to.

You are still my favorite place. Your history and culture leave me in awe. I can’t wait to visit and explore all you have to offer again.

Until next time,

MK