I don't know why, but due to my History of London and British Women's Social History classes, I have become really interested in WWI. I've never really learned about it much in school, and when I did, I wasn't especially interested and we didn't learn a lot. But now I know so much more about the British side than the American side—I need to fix that one of these days!
So: On a very, VERY cold morning, we started out our London walk by the National Portrait Gallery by a weird statue of Edith Cavell, the first woman nurse. Long story short, she was eventually put to death for helping soldiers she wasn't allowed to.
And here are the grateful pigeons, crapping on her head:
DO NOT let that blue sky fool you... I felt so frozen. This memorial is for WWI on Whitehall street and I'm pretty sure it's already been on my blog before:
We learned a lot about the various memorials and what they mean and the significance of this and that... you know, it's really great to have so many nice memorials commemorating people who should NOT be forgotten. BUT: Sometimes, it actually makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Because I know that in staring at this memorial yes, I am 'remembering' their suffering and efforts, but it feels like they deserve SO MUCH MORE. I don't know what exactly, it just all seems insufficient compared to their extreme sacrifices.
Then... we walked towards Buckingham Palace. This scene (below) looks a bit out of place now that I think about it, because it looks like it should be in the countryside and not right in the middle of a city. But one of the best things about London I think are all of its parks! Look at that bird! Is it a pelican? I can't remember:
On the other side of these buildings is Whitehall:
This particular day happened to be the day that some politicians would 'debate' over the increase in tuition for college students and they were very prepared for student protesters. I couldn't tell especially because I'm not used to what the atmosphere around Whitehall/Parliament Square/Buckingham Palace is usually like, but my History professor was really excited! "Ooooh this is history!" Ha, ha. He said that this semester is the most 'eventful' semester IES Abroad has had in London. IES was really good about sending out e-mail notices and warnings about potentially dangerous situation to stay away from, and they would also occasionally text everyone and you would have to text back your name, letting them know you were okay.
Anyway! This is kind of funny—they are police trailers for the horses! I've just never seen that before...
We happened to arrive at Buckingham Palace at the perfect time, as the marching band was marching right past!
The best view possible!
Most of these men are tall to start with, but with those huge hats on, they look even taller! Cool and kind of intimidating...
Buckingham Palace is actually not that pretty in my opinion. It just looks like a museum or some sort of government building in my opinion.
Vans full of swat teams:
More memorials I unfortunately forget the meaning of:
The Victory Arch:
Bird pooping on his head hehehehe:
David:
With a strategically placed leaf:
My professor said that David's buttocks became the "symbol of the gay movement" back in...?
Memorial for New Zealand:
Can you see the white crosses on the tops of each black pillar?
Poor Duke of Wellington got demoted from the top of the Victory Arch and now just stands on a measly tomb-looking thing...
That night, I went to the Shepherd's Bush O2 to see the New Pornographers! Neko Case, the lovely leading lady, is from Tacoma, in case you didn't know! I'm really glad I got to see them live.
