The Walter Blog: Day 3

We started the day by accidentally sleeping in for 2.5 hours. Apparently Craig’s alarm on his watch didn’t go off, or we didn’t hear it. We must have needed the sleep! Rylee has been struggling more than the rest of us with jet lag. She’s been very tired, and just hasn’t felt very well. But tomorrow we go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, so maybe that will perk her up a bit!

Our first venture was riding the tube to the Tower of London and taking a tour. We have been lucky so far in that we really haven’t been bothered too much by the crowds. There are a lot of people, but the lines into places have been reasonable. We followed a tour guide for the first part, then went off on our own. The Tower of London is just so incredible to see. Is it possible to “feel” history? I think we did today. You can see the carvings into the stone walls by the prisoners hundreds of years ago. And seeing the Crown Jewels was so impressive. All the crowns of the kings and queens dating back to the 1600’s, plus scepters, gold plates and challis’s were all displayed, and in such pristine condition.

We also had tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys. You have to get tickets far in advance; I think we got ours 6-8 months ago. This takes place every night at 9:30pm (9:53 to be exact), and has since the 1300’s! It was a 40 minute presentation, very serious and traditional. There is an exchange of the keys, soldiers marching, precise words spoken, bugles playing, and a little audience participation. Afterward, we walked a bit and took a spectacular picture of the Tower Bridge, all lit up with the Olympic rings.

Between the Tower of London tour and the Ceremony of the Keys, we rested at the hotel and rehydrated. We walked through Green Park and St. James Park on our way to catch the tube again for the key ceremony. St. James Park is right near Buckingham Palace. There’s a lake in it with weeping willow trees and lots of ducks and pigeons that reminded us of Manito Park.

By the way, I think we have crossing the street figured out: It really doesn’t matter if it’s a marked crossing or not, people generally just run for it. On most streets there’s an island or landing in the middle of the street. You run really fast to the island, gather your wits, then run again to the other side, thereby completing your journey. I can’t believe more people don’t get hit. The streets are narrow, and the cars drive fast. A lot of streets do have walk/don’t walk signs, but a lot don’t. Also, on most streets if you look down, “look right” or “look left” is printed on the street (no doubt for the ignorant tourists who still look the opposite direction for oncoming traffic).

On our bus tour yesterday we learned what the cute little children’s song “Ring Around the Rosie” really means. Do you know? It has to do with the plague and people dying. I was silently referencing the book “World Without End”, the sequel to “The Pillars of the Earth” (for those who have read it).

We are all really loving London. It’s a huge city with so much to do. It’s so rooted in history, we just don’t have that kind of history where we live! I was thinking before we got here that we’ll probably be here just long enough to feel like it wasn’t long enough, and it’s starting to feel that way. It’s a good sign when I have to keep asking what day it is.

Tower of London Pics