(Seats of Power Walk)

My final walk was one of my favorites; it wound through much of what  I would define as central London and truly connected the city together for me as well as connected 'England' today with 'England' from the past. From the Banqueting Hall, Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards and their parade grounds, Parliament Square, St. James' Place, Buckingham Palace, #10 Downing Street, and many memorials, it was easy to see they want to preserve their history and honor people of the past who helped to crucially define the country.

Here are a few scenes that particularly drew my attention by their beauty and historical significance. 

"The Boldest Measures are the Safest"

Trafalgar Square; one of my favorite London scenes with Lord Nelson on top.

Home of the Horse Guards, posted everyday there from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Dressed in blue with red plumes means they are part of the Royals; if he was wearing red plumes he would be from the Life Guards. Just fun facts for you. 

Behind the horse guards is the old palace tennis courts from Henry VIII's time. Here tennis, bear baiting, and cocking fighting took place. 

Charles I looking away Trafalgar Square. (He was executed publicly; later his son Charles II essentially gave up the throne to William III and Mary II in the Glorious Revolution which influences the American Revolution greatly as well as much of how government is in England today.  

Three cheers to the real power of a country. 

I love the old lady leaving flowers. It's a beautiful thing to see that people truly don't forget those who gave up so much and robbed of youth and life so that ours could be better. (Memorial to those who died in Indonesia terrorist attack 2002).

Guard's memorial. Dedicated to those who gave their lives for their King and Country in the Second World War. 

Admiralty Arch. It was created the beginning of the 20th century as part of the ceremonial path to Buckingham Palace. The road is red to symbolize the red carpet, something I found really interesting. Originally only the monarch could use the archway, obviously things have changed now. Royals crack me up with their red roads and personal entrances.. The show they used to put up for the public fascinates me and much of it still exists today.

The gardens outside Buckingham Palace. I thought they were incredible because of how green and immaculate they were. 

Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace

London has memorials everywhere you turn to honor the past and help keep on track for the future. They clearly have pride in the people that came before and want to pay tribute to the sacrifices made to this great country. It is interesting to think about their history when I have grown up essentially knowing only America's of the revolution, civil war, and the world wars. They have so many more years to cover, along with their histories of monarchs and churches. It is no wonder they build statues and memorials commemorating the past; without them it would be hard to keep track of the many important people and events that shaped this country. I love seeing them everywhere I go in London. They help me to remember not only the great people who fought for freedom here, but those who fought for my freedom in America. London may be my love, but America will always be my home. 

Love Always, Aimee

London is For Everyone (Theatre Walk)

They say London is the melting pot of the world, and with good reason.

After walking through the theatre district I saw just about every type of person possible. That is what makes London so unique; it does not matter who you are, where you came from, what you believe, or what you are doing, or how you got there. You can find your place. You can do what you want. You will fit in. Except, in a bizarre sense, there is no way to 'fit in' because there is not stereotype or mold to fill. You simply are yourself and do what you do and everyone else does the same. London is a city for anyone and everyone and walking down the bank of the Thames, through the Strand, Covent Garden, Leicester Square (theatre district), and through Trafalgar up past Piccadilly truly opened my eyes to that. It also made me realize how close together everything in London is and how connect not only the people but the places in the city are.

Way back in Medieval times, this area was owned mostly by the church as an extension of Westminster; Bishops lived in homes along the Thames and it was largely pasture area. As time went on and King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, Soho and Leicester Square developed after. Leicester Square gained a reputation for scandalous entertainment, Covent Garden was started by Inigo Jones, and theatre as a whole gained more respectability. As time kept passing Leicester Square turned into a gathering place of all artists, many more theatre's emerged, Trafalgar Square was built in honor of Lord Nelson, and the Chinese moved into to Soho area to create Chinatown.

Today it does not take long to walk from the London Eye through the Theatre district, Covent Garden, into Chinatown, and then find yourself in Trafalgar Square standing between Big Ben and the National Gallery. London is not as large it feels at times and while walking it is so fun to see the city and people of it come to life with all their vibrant and completely different personalities.

 

 Along the Bank we were almost mobbed by loads of people and protesters lining the whole Thames. They were forming a parade and fighting for what they believed were their rights. Teachers to Nurses to Political figures were all their supporting their cause. While mildly terrifying to walk into unknowingly, it was cool to see people so worked up about what they believe in and willing to take a stand for change. It seemed almost an American idea more than typical British, but as discussed above there is no real typical British anymore.

Along the Thames we also stumbled across part of Egypt! This sphinx is right next to Cleopatra's needle; recovered from the sands of Alexandria in the 1800's and sent as a gift to Britain from Mohammed Ali.

Turn around and you find yourself in the Victoria Embankment Gardens. Full of statures and greenery, it is a lovely place to walk through or eat you lunch. The statue featured above is of Robert Raikes, founder of Sunday School in England whom we obviously owe a lot to. 

You see that man blowing leaves in the back? Three cheers to the people of London. They really keep the streets and parks clean. And I really appreciate it. 

After some more walking I found myself in Covent Garden. I love love Covent Garden. The people are so different and always up to something there. 

Please take note of the guy HOLDING HIS CELLO WHILE PLAYING. Do you realize how much talent that takes?? The people of London amaze me. 

Waiting for a magic trick..

I do no even know what to say about these elderly other than more power to them. 

From public performances, magic shows, and who-knows-what, there are many different people found in Coven Garden today that all help to make London what it is (even if what it is is weird). 

Another place to find the odd but loved people of London is Trafalgar Square. You never quite know what you will spot when you stop by.. 

The force is strong in London

Mickey taking his vacation to the National Gallery

This guy clearly has Great Britain pride. Better not tell him I'm American, eh? 

    

China Town is always a pleasure to wander through. Some see the mix of people as losing part of their culture; I don't agree. I see it as enhancing and creating a new culture. It allows people to take the best part of their past and identity to combine it with others best parts to make something entirely new and universal and brilliant. 

London represents the best blend of people for more. Young or old, new to here or been here since the dark ages, black or white or somewhere in between, male or female... It doesn't matter. You have something you can add to London and that is a wonderful thought. 

 

This little boy playing in the fountain was my favorite sight. Full of life and love for everything it has to offer. No wonder we are supposed to become like children. 

Love Always, Aimee 

Outside St. Paul's (not the massive one by Christopher Wren) in Covent Garden. Lovely place to read and eat and rethink life. 

Venice

I know what you are thinking, I swear I can hear it. 

"Aimee. You are in England. Why would you title your post "Venice"? Do you now know that is located in a completely different (although equally beautiful) country? This is so awkward of you".

Do not freak out yet, my friends. I am about to make an announcement that will shock and shift your world:
VENICE IS IN ENGLAND TOO. Yes, that is correct. Not too far from my lovely home on Palace Court is a charming area known as "Little Venice." Why? Obviously because it looks like Venice (or so they say..). It was previously the terminus of the Grand Junction Canal and Regent's Canal and in the early 19th century was used to transport materials throughout the UK.
Now days it is just a hidden gem for smart tourists/local know-hows to enjoy a puppet show on the bank, have lunch on a floating cafe, or take a trip up stream right to the London Zoo at Regent's park. Or, if you are me, it is there to simply walk around and love for its fall colors, adorable boats, and reminder of Italy.
I cannot lie to you all though: had it not been called "Little Venice" I am not positive I would have thought of Venice too much. Having been to both the real Venice, Bruges--the Venezia of the North--and Little Venice, I can say that nothing can quite compare to the real one so it is better to keep them separate and appreciate them for what they are as an individual. It is kind of like the Harry Potter books and movies. The books are everything that is brilliant and wonderful in this world. The movies are quite excellent as well. But if you are comparing the movies to the books the entire time you watch the movie you will find them wanting. So, yes. Little Venice was beautiful. Yes, I recommend going. Yes, it had boats and a canal. No, it was not Venice.
Little Venice does have quite the past though; it used to be the "haunt of artists, writers, prostitutes, scientists, and London commuters" if you can imagine that. Now it is just quaint and rather secluded. I did this walk because of the name (obviously) and my intense love for Italy, but in the end I ended up just falling more in love with England, especially in the fall. It was a perfect Londonesque day. The sky was overcast, clouds were grey, but I was incredibly happy.

The trees are fire but I don't want them to be put out. 

Care for a ride down the river? How about to the Zoo?
Oh. Don't mind if I do..

This is what perfection looks like. Who cares that the sky isn't blue; who cares that my care is out of control from the off-and-on rain; who cares that there aren't singing Italian men in gondolas. This is London. THIS IS IN LONDON. I love finding these special, hidden areas of beauty here. They are the life so much more than the big buildings or crowded tube. 

You know what other beautiful scene I saw as I crossed the canal? 

Old men taking each other for a walk. 

There were four friends and I watched for a moment before I just had to sneak (aka creep) a picture. It was the sweetest scene. They took turns pushing their friend and all assisted in getting him across the street and over the curb. I believe they were headed to the canal for a short walk (ride) in the misty rain. It just was a small reminder that the important things in life aren't things; they are people and relationships. 

After people, I would say learning and visiting places comes next on the list of important things.

How convenient for me that I get all three in one for this time of life? 

I am living with 50 of the best people I've ever met. They really have become some of my closest friends and favorite people. Each different, but I have so much love for them all. 

I am learning every day. Learning Shakespeare, art, music, British and Church history. Learning what it is like to be a small girl in a big town. Learning what it is like to be far away in a foreign land. Learning London. Learning what I want in life and who I am in this world. It is a good life in the beautiful place. 

Love Always, Aimee

Here is one of those favorite people I mentioned above. Her name is Lauren and sometimes I swear we are the same person. She is kind and funny and always in a good mood and we are going to room together come next winter! We already have so many plans and adventures we are excited for. 

Isn't that what is so wonderful about life?

As good as the moment is, there is always something to look forward to. 

London might be my dream come true, but it is not the peak of my life and that is quite a comforting thought. 

A Walk on the Wild Side

Hands down one of the best walks so far. Although I do tend to think/say that about every walk we do.. (Maybe that's why they make us do them? No; ha, that is too obvious).

This one was essentially a straight walk down the south side of the Thames, apparently the more wild side. We passed no less than nine bridges. NINE. I could write this whole blog about bridges!

Don't worry though; I'm not. Too obvious, once again. Plus there were much more exciting views that take precedence. Such as the Borough Market. Guys. Have I ever told you about how much I love markets and how truly wonderful they are?? Let me tell you now: I love markets and they are truly wonderful.

Why? Allow me to show you.

Fruits and veggies = life

Fresh Produce galore. Nothing makes me happier than produce. It's the simple things and bright colors folks.

Any type of bread/roll I want in any size? Don't mind if I do. 

Homemade pies and pasties? Why not. 

Actually not a fan.. But I can still appreciate walking past them.

What's a proper market without the meat? 

I actually don't know what to call these things. But they're meat and people were going haywire for them.

Followed by seafood.

I was a little unsure about it.

Fancy some fine wine and cheese tasting for free? 

They've got you covered.

No, I did not try the wine. Why would you even ask that? 

Market's are the best because you just walk (or shove) through and see what the locals have. They are allowed the opportunity to offer you their specialties and you have the chance to get anything you could need in one place. Basically it's like Walmart except every section is owned separately and what they sell is actually something you would want. Win-win. Market's not only support the locals but allow for specialization thus ending in superior products. You get what I'm saying? Not to mention the atmosphere is so fun. It is absolutely chaotic. People every inch, shop owners trying to sell you things, samples being pushed in your face, food everywhere. I just made it sound miserable, but I promise it's not. It's so fun, energizing, PLUS you walk away with some of the best food for the best deals. I am such a supporter of markets; someone needs to hire me to advertise for them. 

You know what else I support? 

Street performers. If they're good. I'm a recent convert. Walking down the river side it added so much to hear guitars playing in the background. It made me feel like I was living in a movie scene. Walking under a bridge we were all smitten by a particular singing male guitarist.. Assuming I would never see him again, I shamelessly went to put my change in his case while Ellen snapped a photo. 

Don't worry. He saw us taking the photo and laughed a little. Then we hurried away. 

Ten minutes later we discovered we walked the wrong way and had to go past him again. Awesome*. 

*said in sarcastic voice 

 

Good times in the tunnel. I hope he makes it in the music world so I can say I saw him perform on the streets when he was just a beautiful, talented nobody.

After that episode we discovered yet another market. Three cheers for markets because I will never stop loving them. This one wasn't quite open and running yet, but we have plans to return soon.

Another thing this walk was not short of was theaters and galleries. We walked past Hay's Gallery, Britain At Was Museum, Clink Prison Museum, the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, the National Theatre, Hayward's Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, and Queen Elizabeth Hall. Clearly south of the Thames is the place to be. I have not even been inside half of those yet; I'm slacking. 

The National Theatre was kind enough to be welcoming to us weary walkers

I got to see two plays at Shakespeare's Globe. The Comedy of Errors and Julius Caesar. Both were wonderful, and it was so fun to be sent back in time in a sense. Highly recommend to all who venture to London. There is something about seeing Shakespeare in (essentially) the original location performed the way it was meant to be that is pure magic.

We stopped by the Rose Theater, another venue of Shakespeare. That one I do NOT recommend.. It was literally a hole in the wall, smelled awful, in a little bit of a sketchy area, and the lady inside was not a fan of us at all.. I suppose that was the wildest this walk got. 

This small strip of town along the south bank of the Thames has so much to offer. From the scenic view over the water, wonderful markets, the enchantment of the Globe, and endless opportunities for museums and theaters, a day spent wandering here is a solid day of excitement, beauty, and learning. What could be better than that? 

Love Always, Aimee 

One of my favorite views of London. 

 

Aren't my friends the cutest?