Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

     Today I went with a friend to go and see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  It was a much larger ceremony than I had imagined.  There was a band of guards who played during the changing, and a lot of marching back and forth.  It was quite interesting, and I got a much better view than I had anticipated (given my height, the number of people that were there, and that we arrived just a few minutes before the ceremony began).  Here is some of what I saw:

I am very intrigued by the British flag.

Here they come!

There they are!

Front row view!

Guard #1.   (I had to wait for him to stand still so I could take this picture.)

The changing in motion.

Still changing.

For the half hour ceremony, these were the precious moments everyone had come to see.

Not going to lie, but it's pretty difficult to tell if they've changed the guards yet or not (they all look so similar!).

Guard #2. 

Buckingham Palace.

One more loop around the park!

     Buckingham Palace is usually not open until August, but since this summer is so big with the Diamond Jubilee (and Olympics), it will be open for one extra week.  This week.  It is my intention to make it there this week and tour it.  Hopefully I will have exciting pictures to show you soon!

Kensington Palace

     Today we went to Kensington Palace, a working Royal residence located in Kensington Gardens.  Inside are items from the Royal Collection.  It was really something to see.  You go through the Palace at your own pace, which is nice. Then when you are done, you can continue to explore the gardens (which connect to Hyde Park, another beautiful location).


     If you haven't noticed yet, I like to take pictures.  Here are some from the Palace and Gardens:

Photo Diary

     These posts are a bit random because my typical day is unplanned or spontaneous to an extent.  Sometimes I will set out with a goal of getting one place, and end up somewhere I never expected, and enjoying myself.  Here is what I've done over the past few days:

Around the city there are these pieces of artwork  based on a telephone booth.  Everyone can paint or decorate theirs anyway they want.  I thought the message on this one was simple, but powerful.

What is London without Harry Potter?  This is the Millennium  Bridge over the  River Thames.  It is a walking bridge that was destroyed in the Harry Potter movies by Death Eaters.

Here is Saint Paul Cathedral, as seen from the Millennium Bridge.

I had the opportunity to go and see "The Taming of the Shrew" at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.  It was an experience to remember.  However, a word to the wise: spring for the pricier seats that have a place to sit.  For £5 (about $8), you will be in the courtyard standing for the 2 hour plus show. There is also no roof, so since it is in London, it is better to be safe with the seats that are under cover in case it is raining.

The set of the production was simple and effective.

The seats the smart people were sitting in (at The Globe).

This week I've seen a few plays.  For the class I am taking, we went to The Old Vic (seen above) to see "Democracy."  No comment on this play...mainly because I am still trying to figure out what it was about.

Today I visited the Wellcome Collection.  It has some science exhibits for people who are curious about how things work.  In the medicine section, I found this display on a program done with children who have a long term illness.  While they are in the hospital, each time they are poked with a needle, or tested, they are given a special-shaped bead to keep track of what they've been through.  It is known as Bravery Beads, and is like a tangible diary.  The beaded heart necklaces are sold in order to raise money for the program.

The children's hospital near my home takes part in this program, so it caught my attention.  I was also wearing my necklace at the time, and added it to the photo (on top of the table; as it was originally packaged is shown in the drawer).

I am more adventuresome within the confines of my room, than I am at a pub or a restaurant.   Today I made myself British Strawberries and Cream.  Again, the recipe is in the name (cream on top of strawberries).  Apparently it is popular over here.  I liked it, and will make it again with the remaining cream and berries I have, but I am not sure I get what the big fuss is about.  I would much sooner dip my fruit in chocolate than in cream.

The third...not exactly sure if you could call it a play...I've seen this week was at The Roundhouse.  We saw "The Dark Side of Love."  Again, not exactly sure what was going on.  It is a dreamlike performance done by teenagers.  It is said to be based on some of Shakespeare's works, but the script was not quite his words. It was the most interesting role of the audience I think I've ever seen.  We were walking around to the actors who were stationed around the room.  We could move in any direction we wanted to, and it had the atmosphere of a haunted house.  Then we were corralled into a  center circle where the remainder of the performance continued to happen around us.  It was well done, but a bit unnerving and bewildering.

I have found more Disney Stores and Build-A-Bear Workshops in London, than I think there is all over New England. And they are also beautifully decorated. Some times it feels like I'm in Disney World.

Charleston House and Brighton Trip

     My program offered a few excursions that we had the opportunity to take part in.  On Saturday, we visited Charleston House, and the City of Brighton.

Charleston House.

The gardens.

     Charleston House was the meeting place for the Bloomsbury Group, a group of artists and intellectuals.  It is located in East Sussex, and is open to the public.  The interior is decorated and painted in an atypical fashion.  The group was ahead of their time, and their artwork demonstrates that.

     This was the first time I really got a chance to see some of the English countryside.

     Then we were off to Brighton.  The City of Brighton is on the water, so I also had the chance of seeing the English Channel.  The place is known for their fishing, and their fish and chips are some of the freshest you can find in England.  There is also the Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Pier, which are beautiful sites to behold.

The English Channel

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton Pier

     It was a nice change of pace to get outside of London and visit some places I never would have thought to go myself.

Photo Diary

Here it is!  The Silver Techradrachm of Lysimachos I did a research project on this past Fall.  It is at the British Museum, and this time the exhibition was open when I went.

There is an awesome toy store called "Hamleys," which has about six floors of different sorts of toys.  The Lego section was quite interesting, so I took a couple of photos.

Isn't that neat?

This one almost looks real!

And to think, I have trouble putting together the sets labeled "3 and up."

This has got to be the coolest looking Apple Store on the face of the planet.

Flags over the street.