Secondly, it was quite refreshing to actually visit the city that I have had connections with since I was young. I have family residing in London and they were wonderful hosts to me when I was there. And, for better or for worst, England and their courts, with their long and verbose judgments, have caused me much grief in my years in law school.
My cousin, Kak Wiyah and her family, hosted me at their cosy flat in Central London - located right in the Muslim/Arab quarter at George Street/Burwood/Marble Arch. Walking down this road makes you feel as if you are in an Arab country. Shops and banks (including the British banks) use the Arabic language on their signs. At the risk of stating the obvious, halal food was easy to come by. I had one of the best lamb sharmawas late Saturday (rainy) night!
With only 48 hours to spend, I did not waste anytime and my uncle Ishak and aunty Mimah brought me around in their car to "lay my eyes on the must-sees of London".
Westminster Abbey is one of England's more famous Gothic churches. This is where English Kings and Queens have been coronated for the good part of its history.
Right across the Westminster Bridge on the Thames, one cannot miss the ubiquitous Big Ben which is a 150 year old clock tower annexed to the Westminster Palace.
Vestiges of old colonialism remains on the buildings of Downing Street. I wonder how a "war cabinet" would go down with the world in this age.
Yes, I stopped by 10 Downing Street but Gordon Brown was too busy saving the world* to have tea with me.
*This is actually a pun recognizable by those who have been watching British news stations. PM Gordon Brown gaffed in Parliament by saying "We are going to save the world" when he meant "We are going to save the banks". In a reaction that will never happen in Singapore's Parliament, the British Parliamentary Opposition mocked him for the rest of the day.
Just along Downing Street stands a monument dedicated to the "Glorious Dead" of British wars throughout history.
The picture of the House of Parliament in London is more famous than the city itself. I remember Harry Potter flying by it at night in one of the Harry Potter movies. Unfortunately, the Parliamentary shop was closed. I would have shopped there if I could.
I took pictures of the Parliament at the ticket station of the London Eye on the opposite bank of the Thames. That is how near these two famous sights are.
I was lucky as there was scheduled Changing-of-Guard at the Buckingham Palace on the Saturday that I was there.
Buckingham Palace is the official royal residence for the Queen and her family though it was initially built by a non-Royal (the Duke of Buckingham) for his own residential purposes. Surrounded by royal parks, principally the St James Park, it was sold by his descendent to George III for GBP 21000. It only became the official Royal Residence during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1837.
Thus the statue in front of the entrance with a voluptuous figure of Queen Victoria.
Vestiges of old colonialism remain on royal grounds... The child of West Africa.
As the crowds swell, the Changing of Guard or the Guard Mounting begins at the traditional time of 11am with the march of the Corps of Drums of the Queen's Guard garbed in their winter uniforms. Oh by the way, I was enthralled by the musical performance. They played and marched to the James Bond tune at some parts! LOL
As the New Guard marched onto the Palace Parade Grounds, the Old Guard formed up. Once the New Guard formed up, the Captain of the Old Guard marched over to the Captain of the New Guard to hand over the Palace Keys. The Corps of Drums formed a semi-circle while sentries were being changed. This monthly event is not to be missed by fans of pomp and circumstance!
Caught this fella sleeping.. he almost dropped his instrument. I could just imagine the collective gasp of the crowd if that happened.
Changing of sentries with uniformed policemen guarding the grounds.
Yeah, Long live the Queen...
London/England is not all about celebrating the past. During the 48 hours here, I saw no less than 3 protests. The biggest protest was the Gaza War protest held at Trafalgar's Square by more than 20000 people. My cousin Kak Wiyah attended it. The police were out in full force with their beemers (motorcycles), horses and dogs.
Flags were burnt, fiery words of defiance and protest rang through the historic streets of London, and an uneasy tension permeated the cold British night as fast as the London wind could carry it.
I couldn't take part in these protests as I am technically an international civil servant. In any case, I went on to do my obligatory shopping for myself... but more for Shaz and friends *rolls eyes*. Further, I had to catch the musical WICKED at Apollo Victoria Theatre which is a MUST-WATCH!! This is coming from a person who was not a fan of musicals.
Oxford Street is one of the Orchard Roads of London. According to uncle Ishak, it lies between the top and lower ends of shopping.
And of course, what is a trip to London without a trip to the Harrods. This historic building houses the best shopping London can offer... to the well-off. In any case, it was nice to just be there to absorb the atmosphere of being in Harrods, London.
Couldn't afford most of the stuff there. Bought biscuits to bring back home! Haha.
Oh yes, London's books are relatively cheap! I bought these books and two other books from Buckingham Palace shop which I had forgotten to take out from the bag. *I forgot to add that I bought the book "Satanic Verses" for a friend who is visiting me in Lyon and going onwards to Nottingham*
And of course, what is a trip to London without having the famous English fish and chips. This serving is too much for me (8 GBP).
Londres (as the French would call it) has just earned its way up to the top 3 places to revisit - possibly second only to Lyon. =))
