I met a couple from Canada who learned the ABC, then taught it to me. Allow me to explain that ABC is what the Brits call Another Bloody Cathedral. I reasoned that I didn’t need to see ABC during my travel in the UK - I’d seen enough European cathedrals and churches. I was wrong. I stepped into only one cathedral during this trip, and I was once again blown away by the architecture and history. What other unexpected surprises awaited me? Free world class museums. I visited 5 and returned to the Victoria & Albert museum twice.
First and foremost, I felt an overwhelming need to prioritize a visit to the British Museum so I can see those amazing marble sculptures (called friezes) that once graced the top of the Parthenon in Athens' Acropolis. The drama is that Greece lost its marbles in 1811 and now they want them back. In this version of he said-she said, Greece claims that the friezes were systematically removed illegally or unethically for 10 years leading up to 1811. When Greece launched an inquiry into this later on, Britain claimed they had been acquired legally. Britain also claimed they actually saved these precious antiquities by keeping them safely indoors, away from outdoor pollution, and under care of expert curators of the British museum. Had they remained outside, they’d succumb to the crumbling fate of the Parthenon. The final clapback? Athens now have a beautiful state-of-the-art Acropolis museum, opened in 2009; a safe haven to house their prized antiquities. Will they be returned to Greece? Only time will tell.
Nothing is more foreign to me than London. Over 300 languages spoken in London - all of which you can hear on the Tube, if you stay long enough. On too many occasions, I sheepishly asked merchants, transit workers and service persons to kindly repeat themselves because I couldn’t wrap my head around their “English.” Admittedly, in few instances, I just nodded with “uh-huh, OK, and thank you,” moved on and hoped for the best. By the end of the week, I was rolling in deep, only to begin the learning curve all over again in Ireland.
I’m not one to fake a British accent but if you’re looking to fit in and sound more like a local, say “tchube” not “toob.”
London's Underground (aka the Tube) is one of the oldest subway systems in the world. The network rivals the Paris Metro.
Few of the extensive collection of marble sculptures (friezes) that had been removed from top the Parthenon.
The Royal Guards keep watch at the entrance to the Crown Jewels (no photography allowed inside). Dozens of jeweled crowns made for different kings and queens over centuries for various occasions can be viewed, including the most famous one worn most recently by King Charles in 2023.
Elizabeth Tower, most often referred to as Big Ben (which is actually the name of the bell inside the tower) sometimes overshadows the Palace of Westminster, where the workings of government take place. When parliament is in session, you can sit in on the debates as a spectator. I chose to watch the debate in the austere chambers of the bickering House of Commons over the more ornately decorated and uppity House of Lords. The House of Commons is where all the hot button issues are debated and can sometimes lead into what looks like a bar fight is about to erupt. No such thing happened during my watch - the debate that afternoon was about immigration. One day a week, the Prime Minister sits in the hot seat for a one-hour Q & A by the People. It's recommended that you reserve ahead to guarantee a spot to watch.
A side trip to English countryside provides a reprieve from the bustle of 10 million people in London (not including the hordes of tourists). Here, if you pay attention, you'll find houses with that quintessential thatched roof.
For Lord of the Ring fans, this door is described in one of the chapters in the book. Before you start scrubbing through the videos looking for it (it's not shown in the movies), only fans who put in countless hours reading the book will know where it is.
Westminster Abbey have been marrying, burying and crowning kings and queens since 1099.
The British Library's Treasures room has an impressive display of religious manuscripts from all over the world, including the Gutenberg Bible, original music scores from Mozart, the Magna Carta, notebooks from scientists such as da Vinci, Galileo, Pasteur) and handwritten lyrics from the Beatles.
Which character in what popular movie series said "No post on Sundays?" Hint: the setting is in London
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