Here are a few highlights from our trip to London for those of you I haven't talked to already:Day 1 (TUE)--We flew out of DFW that morning and arrived in Chicago where we had a 5 hour layover before our flight to London. Highlight: I finally finished reading book 7 of the Harry Potter series at the airport (awesome conclusion). We had an 8 hour flight to London and arrived there around 9am on Wednesday morning.
Day 2 (WED)--Checked-in to our hotel, toured West Minster Abby, took pictures of famous buildings (e.g., Buckingham Palace, Big Ben/Parliament, Trafalgar Square), and recovered from jet lag. Highlights: (1) We met up with Harry Katz (a member of the youth group at our church in New Orleans) for dinner at a great Italian restaurant near our hotel and walked through Hyde Park. While the first day was filled with many interesting and funs things, catching up with Harry was a big highlight. God is doing some great stuff in his life and it was encouraging to hear about it. (2) Later that night we went for a walk beside the Thames River and took night pictures of Parliament and the Tower Bridge.
Day 3 (THU)--We went to Wesley's Chapel and Bunhill Fields, the manuscripts room at the British Library, and toured the tour of London. Highlights: (1) The Tower of London is England's most famous prison and fortress. The tour guides are both funny and informative. If you are going to tour something in London that costs money, this is the tour I would recommend. (2) Bunhill Fields (Old English for "Bonehill Fields"). This old protestant graveyard is the final resting place for some of my heroes in the faith (i.e., John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, and John Owen). It was a big reminder that death is the end of all men (even those whom we tend to idealize).
Day 4 (FRI)--We visited the Tate Modern (Art) Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, and the British Museum. Afterward we went shopping at Covent Gardens where we ate some amazing cookies (Ben's Cookies). If you go to London you should track down Ben's cookies (very good). Highlight: Seeing the paintings of masters such as Seurat, Renior, Da Vinci, Monet, and Van Gogh was surreal (you might say it left a real "impression" on us :). If you visit London you should definitely take advantage of the museums (even if for no other reason than that they are free!).
Day 5 (SAT)--We headed home. Highlight: sleeping in our own bed.
Miscellaneous Thoughts:
- Continuity: London is a fun place to visit since it's history is so closely connected to our own country's. The experience is heightened by the fact that you can actually communicate with shop owners and people on the street since you speak the same language (well almost; e.g., Karen ordered "Raaanch" dressing at Subway and it took the guy a little while to figure out what she meant...as the saying goes: you can take the girl out of Louisiana, but you can't take the Louisiana out of the girl :)
- Cultural Diversity: London is a culturally diverse place. Everywhere we went we heard people speaking a different language (i.e., German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, etc.).
- Free stuff: While most everything (esp. food) costs twice as much in London, there are lots of things you can do for free. As I mentioned above there are numerous museums that you can visit for free. You even get a free newspaper when you walk through the subway (aka the "tube"). When you are at a restaurant be sure and order tap water. The waiter may look at you like you're cheap but it's actually very good and...you guessed it...it's free.
- Transportation: The tube is the best way to get around the city. We purchased a three day unlimited pass and felt like it was a bargain. The maps and signs are easy to decipher. Plus as an added bonus you get to hear a guy with a cool accent remind you to "Mind the Gap" every time you get on the train.
- Weather: The days are much longer there than here in the states since England is so much farther North (sunrise was at 5am and sunset was at 9pm). The weather averaged around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (I still can't make the conversion to Celsius on the fly :). It rained a little for two days of the trip but it didn't stop us from seeing anything nor did we consider it a nuisance.
- Funny Facts: Instead of "Yield" signs they have "Give Way" signs. Jalapeño peppers are called "chilies." Instead of "Caution" signs you have specialized "Mind the _____" signs. Karen needed a band-aid while we were there but we had trouble finding them until we found out they are called "cushioned plasters." Native food is not that great and in some cases just plain weird (one place is famous for its Cornish hens that are stuffed inside a pig's bladder...when in doubt just order Fish 'n Chips).
We feel blessed that God opened the way for us to go. I pray you have been able to get away this summer to recharge and reconnect. I find myself eager for school to begin. If you want to see additional pics, visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=166000031In Christ,
Jonathan
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