London bridge is falling down
Trip Start
Mar 28, 2009
1
7
Trip End
Apr 14, 2009
London,
England,
United Kingdom
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Spent our first full day in London, wandering around the city. Regent and Oxford Streets were both great places to walk around and get a feel for the city. I became acutely aware that the recession is here - from the empty stores that have been placed under liquidation,the specials at the cafes and the posters advertising that "you should recession proof your career - study at a certain University"
Regent Street
. It is also sale season - so I felt compelled to help out this economy by spending some of my hard earned money in the stores along the way up the street. Then it appeared - the store that is guaranteed to bring you delight if you have a child hidden in you somewhere - HAMLEYS. The deliver anywhere in the world :) Well I had to restrain myself and more importantly my mum but after two hours we emerged with gladness in our hearts,less money in our wallets and stuff. Oh well...I helped out this economy. We proceeded to Trafalgar square where we had a late lunch with the pigeons. It was actually a perfect afternoon.I proceeded to take pictures of South Africa house - don't make fun of me- then it was off to the National Gallery where I was surrounded my magnificence of art.This gallery truly explains the meaning of quality over quantity. The art housed in this gallery is truly spectacular. When I finally emerged, I was exhausted but I knew I was back in London. It was a spiritual day for me today - I spent it at St.Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey :) Took the obligatory pictures in front of the 1666 commemorative monument and as close 10 Downing Street as I could get.No.10 was not as spectacular as I thought it would be - it is just a house. A well protected house but just a house. It also confirmed the distinct feeling that quite naturally the Prime Minister is not the head of state.Westminster Abbey was beautiful and it is truly just as much a historic place as it is a religious one
I can find a Nandos anywhere :)
. The abbey has stood in the form in which we currently see it since the 13 th century and has been the place where most of the monarchs have been coronated.The abbey is home to the crypts/ tombs of many of the monarchs including Elizabeth 1 and Mary, Queen of Scots. The high vaulted ceilings and the magnificent stained glass windows were beautiful but paled in comparison to the glorious St. Paul's cathedral. St. Paul's Cathedral. The entrance of the cathedral is very austere but as one proceeds to the dome and the quire, one is able to see the magnificence of Sir. Christopher Wren's masterpiece. The quire is covered in mosaic while the dome dome is painted in a style that makes it look like it has been etched or sculpted into the ceiling. One climb up the dome up 352 steps where you are able to get one of the most beautiful views of the London skyline. Of course, I was compelled to see the view and get a workout in the process. It was beautiful and it reminded that London has stood in one form or the other since Roman times - and really I don't think that London bridge can fall down - it will survive this recession as it has stood everything else. 
