Today Courtney and I headed over the Millennium Bridge to visit the Tate Museum. I enjoyed walking through the different levels because I have always found it interesting how people express themselves. Sometimes you would never think a piece of architecture or a model of a car would be art. We walked through exhibits on the architecture of many abnormally shaped structures as well as the real life/nude art section. It was fascinating to see the way certain artists portrayed the body and some the distortions in the paintings made you wonder what it was exactly that they thought was wrong with the human form. The architecture section of the museum was remarkable because there were not too many buildings that had an irregular shape and the structures ranged from farming buildings to stadiums created for sporting events. I cannot imagine the hours put into these projects because they had blue prints, foam structures, tests on different types of materials and then a final model is usually shown. I liked when they showed the pictures of the actually building and not just the blueprint because it showed me that all this planning had a purpose in the end.

The Modern museum proved that England not only valued the past and the history, but also the new and modern culture. It was reassuring in a way to find a museum to this liking because while we were in France every place that we went to had paintings and statues all from centuries and centuries ago. I found that London is definitely more fast paced and business oriented then Paris and this might be why they value modernism more here.

We went to Westminster Abbey today, which is a church that is also a burial ground. There is always a line in front of the church no matter what time of day you go. We waited in line for about 30 minutes but it moved at a good pace. It cost money to get into the church but it said that it depends on our ticket money to keep the church running. The church was beautiful but they didn’t allow pictures on the inside so a lot of us were disappointed. They had a lot of tombs around the border of the church. Every hour they say a small prayer and have a service at 12:30 daily. A lot of us wanted to see the tomb of Shakespeare but apparently he’s at St. Paul.
A few of us went to McDonald’s for lunch just to experience it. This McDonald’s was packed with people but the line went pretty quickly. A lot of the McDonald’s that I have seen have been elaborate compared to the United States. Most of them have multiple floors and the one in Paris had TV’s everywhere. The menu here varies a little but too. They have more healthy options like different salads and a lot of fruit. We enjoyed our meal though because it was cheap.

Today my fellow classmates and I visited the Wesminster Abbey.The line to get in was extremly long, wrapping around the outside of the building down the sidewalk. It was probably the most intrique church I have ever seen. Each knook and crannie was filled with some kind of detail. There were nurmerous rooms to the church that was filled with tombs of famous Queens, countesses, and people. Even the floor was covered with plaques in rememberance of fasmous people.
After leaving the abbey my videography group began filming our project. The idea we are using for our short film is took ask random people on the street dumb, double meaning, and random questions. Some of our questions include; asking for the time standing in front of the Big Ben, asking for their opinion on President Bush, how they feel about Austin Powers, if they like our bonnet, and if they prefer chips or fries. The bonnet and the chip and frie question has a double meaning because they mean something different in the United States than in Great Britian.

After what seemed to be an eternity we finally made our way into Westminster Abbey. Not only is this a famous church but it is the resting place for the most elite of the deceased. I felt uncomfortable walking through the church as if it were only a museum and knowing very little about the majority of the people behind the stone. Since I am in desperate need of some great pictures I was aggravated when I realized no cameras were allowed; I suppose that is t try to preserve the church as a sacred place, but I feel that is contradictory to allowing tourists to walk on people’s graves. I felt more at ease after I exited and was roaming the streets of London again. I made a quick stop in Boots, the Pharmacy, for some throat lozenges and tape for my jammed finger. I found the pharmacist very helpful and knowledgeable. She reminded me of the pharmacists in France who you go to before you a doctor.

Megan and I decided to use the afternoon for an exploration of the British Tate Museum, but first we had to eat! We wondered all over the area by St. Paul’s Cathedral in search of a reasonably priced café with hot soup to soothe my scratchy throat. But since this is primarily a business district all we could find were pre-made sandwiches at places like Benjy’s and Pret a Manger, with plenty of food but no where to sit. After sidetracking through some women’s boutiques we found a similar sandwich shop with hot soup and minimal but adequate seating. I now understand why St. Paul’s churchyard is always packed during lunchtime.

The next stop we made was the British Tate museum of modern art. There were more young adults here than at any other museum we have been to in London. My personal taste is for classical art because it is easier for me to understand, flowers are usually just flowers. In modern art a flower could be a million different things and I usually get frustrated trying to understand what the artist wanted to portray. The atmosphere of the Tate was casual and relaxed. I mostly saw Caucasians of all different classes but very few elderly visitors. People seemed to be walking through the galleries at a quick pace, but gathering for extended amounts of time at the reading points and other lounge areas. The museum as a whole was brighter and more open than the classical museums but was similar to the modern art museum in Paris.

Today we went to Westminster Abbey a place similar to Paris’s Pantheon. It was beautiful with its high ornate ceiling, stained glass and sculptures. It was interesting to walk through and see all the people that were represented and respected at this famous site. However it was easy to tell this place was more of a tourist attraction than a place of worship. When we arrived we realized there was a ticket price that needed to be paid in order to enter. Once you paid your dues and got inside there were velvet ropes blocking off certain things, signs telling you to keep moving and men in red cloaks constantly reminding you not to take pictures. Every hour on the hour there is a prayer, a couple of us sat down and waited for the 12 o’clock prayer. We were disappointed when the man uttered about 3 sentences asked for a moment of silence, said about 3 more sentences and then it was done.
After exploring Westminster Abbey my group and I went outside to film our video project. We decided our project was to be humorous, with plays on words and other foolish things. For instance at this point and time we set up a shot with Big Ben in the back ground, clearly displaying the time and then asked passers by “excuse me do you know what time it is?” Several of them just looked at their watches and told us the time. Others who did not have watches and reached into pockets, purses and bags to dig out cell phones to tell us what time it was. Sometimes we were lucky enough to find a local who would just point up at the clock and keep moving. We also asked them questions about where we could find a bonnet, or if they preferred chips or French fries. Some people picked up on the play on words, others just picked chips or French fries. We figured that those that just picked one, either were not from England or had picked up on the fact that we were Americans and knew what the two terms meant in the US. Several people we approached and asked to be on camera declined. Several of them gave the reasoning that they knew what could be done with technology and were afraid of ending up on the internet. We completely understood, said thanks anyway and left them alone. We also asked them which toothpaste they preferred, interestingly enough everyone we asked answered that they used Colgate. Except for one old man laughed hysterically when we asked him, “toothpaste” he laughed, “I buy the cheapest”. It was interesting to see the different reactions we got from English and non-English people and it would have been more interesting if there were a way to get only British responses with Big Ben still in the background, but being the huge tourist attraction that it is that was impossible.

Today we went to Westminster Abbey to admire not only the beauty of the structure inside and out, but to recognize the numerous rulers of England that served for their country. The church felt like I was in an indoor cemetery and I really didn’t like that at all. Anyway, the tombs that these kings, queens, writers, poets, etc. were made so intricately and with such care. Some of them were extremely large with life-size statues of that ruler, like Queen Elizabeth I had. Elizabeth I was buried with Mary I, her half-sister. Other important people were buried in the ground…and it was really weird knowing that you could step on their grave/memorial. There were also other famous people who had graves/memorials in the church, such as: Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill and even Franklin Roosevelt, to name a few. Many tombs were dated back to the 1400’s, too. It felt awkward to be there. The church also has daily service times and it is stated clearly that anyone is welcome to attend one. On the way out, I donated 2pounds and lit a candle. I paused for a moment and prayed. It makes me feel good about myself when I donate and pray.
Rose and I took a trip to the Tate Museum today, as well. The collection of art displayed is of the last one hundred years. And the museum focuses on four class themes: the nude, landscape, still life and history painting. The museum was filled with different types of art – photography, sculptures, illusion structures, etc. I liked this museum the most out of all the artsy ones we visited. It was so modernized.

This morning we went to “Speaker’s Corner” in Hyde Park. I personally was not highly impressed because I didn’t see the point of it. I don’t know why people would want to go and get riled up and start arguing with the speakers there. The speakers were mostly talking about politics and religion, which of course are probably the 2 most controversial topics someone could bring up. Most of the people there were just listening, and in each crowd it seemed like only 1 or 2 people were actually debating with the speakers. Supposedly it is all done in fun, but the debates seemed pretty heated to me, and I thought a lot of the speakers were very rude in what they were saying; yet, the whole point of it is to be blunt I guess.
Rose got into an argument with one of the speakers about Americans, and she got very upset. However, she did say that she felt like she overreacted some because the whole thing is meant to be more light-hearted and not too serious (or at least I think it’s meant to be more of an open debate and not meant to be too serious?!). I also heard that Meg had gotten into an argument with one of the speakers because he insulted her in a very personal and arrogant way (to be vague). Obviously she got very offended and started arguing with him, but it’s incidents like this where I don’t understand the point of “Speaker’s Corner.”
Back at the hotel, I worked on my images all afternoon in the hotel lobby. The next few days will be crunch time to get everything done! I took a break to get some Subway (yummy…), and while I was there the guy behind the counter smiled and started talking to me a little. I laughed to myself thinking that since I’ve been there at least once a day for the past week that I should be on a 1st name basis with all the people who work there! Anyways, since I haven’t been sleeping well in London I went to bed kind of early Sunday night, and finally got some rest. I’m nervous about going home because I feel like I’ll have jet lag until August with the irregular sleep habits I’ve formed… 

I did not realize that the people who articulate at Speaker’s Corner mostly speak about religion. After I thought about it and I did remember it was Sunday and I found it understandable that many people preaching, with crosses adorning their necks and even someone holding a Jewish flag. I found it surprising to find one man with a cross dangling from his next and a white bullet proof vest on. Someone mentioned asking him why he would need a bullet proof vest if he believed in a higher power. The person asked if he believed a higher power then would they not protect them evil? I sat and pondered the question myself and even the speaker thought about it.

In the park next to all the speakers many people paid for lawn chairs to sit, relax and perhaps listen to the speakers from afar. Although many people took the passive root and listened intently to the religious beliefs being spewed out, a few others were brave enough to fight back shouting their own beliefs and questioning the speakers left and right.

It was an interesting morning because we all got the opportunity to see people of London expressing their right of free speech and religion, but at the same time from my stand point they did not have many pleasantries to say about America or Americans. Many fought about how Bush, the War in Iraq and how America had no right or reason to start the war. It was difficult to listen to even though it was a golden opportunity to see people expressing their civil rights. I found it especially interesting to find younger children around the ages of 10 and up listening to the speakers and having some comments to make themselves. This makes me believe that their families have an active part in the church and everyone knows a lot about religion and the bible. The hour spent in Speaker’s Corner could teach anyone a lot about London’s culture compared to France’s unreligious ways.

     Sunday in London seemed to pass at a much more frantic pace than that of Paris. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of London is so infectious that one cannot help but notice it on any given day of the week, however on weekends it just seemed all the more prevalent. One of the busier days I have spent in London, our morning began at Buckingham Palace to witness (and hopefully to videotape) the daily “Changing of the Guard”. Although largely populated by tourists, it seemed that a substantial portion of the crowd was in fact British. Those “in the know” had arrived early and perched themselves at the center of the square, armed with the best view of the entire ceremony. With the distinct fondness for all things royal, I would imagine many British families make of point of periodically choosing a weekend day to enjoy this piece of their heritage, thus counteracting the tourist element at the royal palace.

     The next destination, Speaker’s Corner, seemed more of a spectacle than a genuine exhibition of opinion. Those “up on their soapboxes” (some literally) would debate religion and politics with an audience far from well-tempered. The tourist population present largely consisted of Americans, likely because our value for “freedom of speech” leaves us curious how other cultures choose to express their own opinions in public. The speakers made it their goal to rile the Americans if at all possible, entertaining themselves and the British onlookers alike. Unfortunately, any attempts to relay a serious message were overshadowed by the chaos and melodrama of the scene. This left me wondering if Speaker’s Corner has lost the serious political and social purpose it once maintained, or if weekends simply tend more towards the dramatic for the amusement of tourists and locals alike.

     Perhaps a more positively focused event, definitely a more family-oriented one, was the weekend-long celebration of theater in London: West End Live. Sponsored by many prominent British museums, corporations, and of course theaters, the free two-day event was intended to introduce theater to the youth of London, and give those less likely to consider a night at a musical as attainable because of either monetary or time shortages a taste of what their home city has to offer. Few tourists gathered at Leicester Square: the event was distinctly geared towards residents of London. Throughout the weekend three stages were home to numerous performances by the casts of some of the more prominent musicals currently running, orchestras, and opera groups. Tents allowed children to experience, often to create, different aspects of theater life including costumes, carnival and stage makeup, puppetry, improvisation workshops, and other fun activities to engage their imaginations. Even though West End Live was more formal (and sponsored) than the park performances in Montmartre, the goal of the entertainment of local children and parents was no less genuine. The event seemed to be a huge success, since not one child seemed bored or anxious. The looks of delight told me that even in a city where plenty of activities seem to be more ostentatious than substantial in nature, there are still plenty of worthwhile cultural experiences, you might just have to look a bit further than the guidebooks.

     Thus is the moral of trekking in general. With a significant allotment of time allowed for each destination, and an encouragement of independence among us student travelers, the faculty have been trying to instill in us not just the tools for successful tourist travel, but also for more meaningful travel throughout our lives. Prof. Andrade has mentioned more than once how he expects each and every one of us to eventually return to these locations as business travelers. Perhaps these visits will be short term, perhaps long term. When in a foreign country, there are a limited number of tourist attractions, and they are often expensive, crowded, and somewhat disappointing. Local entertainment, however, is genuine, and knowing how to find it means that blending in with locals will not only be possible, but immensely rewarding.

Hyde Park was an experience that will never escape my memory. I remember before I left the States my uncle told me “do not miss out on going to Hyde Park and seeing people on their soap boxes, it is will.” I remember not knowing what to imagine, and when I got there I realized that there is no way I could have pictured what this would be like. The park is a huge grass field with a concrete pathway, and on that pathway is where the British were praising, preaching, and complaining about their beliefs. Image people on stools, boxes, and step ladders with British accents spread out throughout this pathway, some with huge crowds around them and some just yelling into thin air. These people do not try to hide that they do not like Americans and that they disapprove greatly of Bush. One lady was blaming us for Bush being in office and for the wars that were going on just because we were Americans. Rose was arguing back and fourth with this lady and her husband trying to prove Americans are intelligent, good people, but they would not have it. The crowds around us seemed to be all tourists and were as intrigued as we were with what was going on around us. Erin and I sat in the grass for a while and just observed from afar because being up close I could not resist talking back. But we were not safe on the grass either, a black man who was on a crate in front of us kept turning around to question our beliefs and religion. He was insisting that we were egoists because we did not agree with his idea of women only being made to serve men and that woman are sinners, which what the Bible says according to him.
My uncle was right, this was a wild experience and I enjoyed it to the fullest.