London Adventures

Hey Folks,
Time to backtrack to my London adventures. :)
Here's what I wrote:
May 2nd
Well, today has been a brilliant day.
It started off early for me. It’s been a long time since I felt so chipper at 4.00. I wish that I could be this awake when I open at work!
After breakfast, Helen and I took the tube to St. Paul’s cathedral. She’d gotten free passes for the cathedral from her church which was great because we were always waved through the lines. The cathedral was amazing. Beautiful mosaics sparkled on the ceilings, and I loved the intricate carvings and patterns on the transcept. There were lots of statues primarily dedicated to British military heroes on the main level. Some of them were really beautiful. It was very hard for me to obey the signs and not take pictures. Behind the alter was a small chapel that was built to honour American soldiers who had died fighting in Britain during WWII.
We went up quite a few steps to the whispering gallery—so named because if you whisper into the wall, it carries your voice around the drum. The dome had some beautiful paintings of the life of Paul, and underneath, mosaics of various saints. Then we climbed up more stairs to a gallery where we had a great view of the city. There were very narrow long and winding hallways to get to the top (maybe 2 feet wide in some places) which were so low that I could touch the roof without even jumping (which is quite a feat). Good thing neither of us are overweight, tall, or claustrophobic! While up there we talked with one of the employees who volunteered to get us ahead of a mob of bustling French school children to get to the top viewing area. Felt rather posh to randomly be brought to the front of the line. Went up a very narrow and winding staircase (carefully) and took some pictures from the top.
After that we went down into the crypt where we had a very nice lunch of sandwiches, tea and amazing shortbread cookies. We looked though the tombs and plaques dedicated to people. Favourites of mine were Lord Nelson’s and Florence Nightingale’s.
The bathroom on the lower level had apparently been named “Loo of the year” in 1995. I’m not sure who is in charge of giving out this award… and from the look of the washroom this award had defiantly expired. There were sweet sinks though that were in a circle (think: Harry Potter prefect’s bathroom), but that was it’s only redeeming feature.
After that we went across the millennium bridge. Apparently when it first opened, so many people went on it that it started to wobble and had to be closed down soon after for repairs. There was no wobbling this time. We went across to see the Rose theatre (which had a gate of carvings of random metal animals- including bugs), then speed-walked along the river to the parliaments and Big Ben.
Once we started off it started to rain. Helen had brought two umbrellas (lucky me) and even through the weather we made it back to the tube fairly dry.
Came home for a cup of tea, and then Neil drove us to the airport (driving on the right side of the road is quite the adventure!)
The staff at this airport are very friendly—they even smile and laugh (what a concept!).
I got here quite early, and so after wizzing through security I went and traded some money, went to starbucks and have been enjoying my Chai Tea latte, and some caramel shortbread.
I’ve had a very short but sweet time in London. It really has been lovely to see the Hawes and be hosted by them.