Tour Buses, Starbucks, and Handsome Italian Men

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  London, England, United Kingdom
Friday, October 23, 2009

We went on our first college-sponsored trip to London.  After traveling by chartered bus to a point near Victoria Station, we loaded onto a double-decker tour bus.  I was lucky enough to get onto the upper level,  It is a fun way to see from a different perspective.  In some ways, I was glad that the commentaries (through headphones on the bus) were not audible about 2/3 of the time.  Even though it would have been good to hear more, silence/student reactions were also fun. 

Part of the Group: London

We all certainly commented on the awe-inspiring sights: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square,  designer shops.  I choose not to say which evoked the most oohs and aahs. 

The weather was beautiful, and when we were done with the tour we could all use the extra time as we wished. After a rather quick trip down to Parliament,  a group of us decided to go to Trafalgar Square.  Of course, it is a rule (a law, I think) that tourists must climb on the lions. 

Lion Climbing

  So,  since we didn't want to disappoint expectations or break the law, we all had to comply.  All ascents and descents were met with laughter and many pictures. 

Success

  Mine, apparently, were so hilarious that they warranted video.  Amber is a menace with the camera (as I've had occasion to tell her many times).  The "climb" up (Michael lifting;the rest of the group pushing, except for Amber of course) has not appeared on Facebook yet (I'm assuming because it is so bad that Amber fears "the look").  The trip down was very pleasant (and is on Fb) as it was aided by two very handsome Italian men who were anxious to get their turn (on the lions).  Whatever the reason for the help, I can't say it sucked.

Italians!

After all this hilarity, we decided we had enough time to go to Buckingham Palace. Virtually no one was about (as compared to the crowds at the Changing of the Guards). I wondered if the  palace would take Canterbury Cathedral's place as the most awe-inspiring building.  Nope.  We watched the guards for awhile before making our way down the garden and then back to Victoria.

Relieved I Wasn't the Only One Tired

  

Oh, I just about forgot to mention the most embarrassing happening of the day. No, it is not the image of my butt being heaved and shoved onto the lion base.  It is the fact that I developed a taste for Starbucks Hazelnut Hot Chocolate.  I had avoided this place of business (even though there is one in High Street and one by the cathedral in Canterbury).  But I fell victim in London.  I feel only slightly guilty. Here's what I tell myself when I hear people who are somewhat disappointed by Starbuck's location next to the grandeur of the Canterbury Cathedral: Chaucer would chuckle. Ever since the murder of Thomas Becket, Canterbury has been that strange combination of the spirtual and the commercial. 

So, you see, it is my duty to uphold tradition whether it involves lions, Italians or Hazelnut hot chocolate.

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