London Day 2

---

I'm loving how rainy and cold it is in London. Today it basically went from overcast to drizzling - with an occasional really intense downpour, and sudden bursts of wind. Much prefer this nippiness to the hot - a nice change. I'm also really enjoying the London subway system. It's by far the best I've been on in Europe. It's extremely organized and efficient, and feels incredibly safe, with police and workers at every station, and nearly on every track. Fun too.

Today I started down at St. Paul's Cathedral, London's answer to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This is a massive, awesome church, with a towering dome, and a great dark crypt full of famous Brits, like the Duke of Wellington, who finally finished Napoleon off. But for me at least the best part was the American Chapel. This is right behind the main altar, and honors the Americans who died fighting against the Nazi luftwaffe in the Battle of London. There are 3 great stained glass windows here, with each state represented by its seal, and even a little portrait of Washington. I've really noticed how the British are extremely history-minded, and especially revere WWII, and the American place in it. I mean a chapel right behind the altar at St. Paul's is quite an honor.

Leaving the cathedral I made a quick stop at the Sir John Soane's Museum, which is basically a funny, quirky place left exactly as it was when Sir John died in the 19th century. Fun to wander around his house, especially since it's filled with great paintings, statues, and really just strange stuff. Afterwards, I tackled the British Museum just down the way. Honestly, this place is too big. It basically houses all of the important artifacts from nearly every civilization across the world. Mainly, too me at least, it shows how powerful the British were at the height of their empire, when they could basically just take all of this stuff - which is very controversial, and a lot of countries want back what's here.

The best part of the day, though, was the end. I went down to Buckingham Palace, and mainly enjoyed this because I was walking through the park up to it in a nice drizzle. It was so refreshing and smelled extremely nice... just like rain. Ended at (yes) another museum, the Tate Britain, but didn't last long here because I was just really tired of museums, and left for a great hearty British meal with a pint of ale at a nearby pub. Great food and great atmosphere.

Tomorrow I go down to the Tower of London and then up the Thames to Shakespeare's Globe.

---

Photos

St. Paul's Cathedral
Waiting to get in. Hard to appreciate how massive this place is.

At St. Paul's
Just outside.

Some Dome Views
St. Paul's is most known for its dome.

Side-Shot
I think it almost looks like the Capitol in Washington.

Final Shot
I like the British - no photos inside. So you don't get to see what's it like inside, but you also don't have those mad, lunatic tourists snapping rudely away.

Underground View
This is the Tube in British speak.

Quaint London Street
After leaving the Sir John Soane museum. The park is Lincoln's Inn Fields.

The British Museum
Mammoth, gargantuan place. The history of the world, literally, is right here.

British Museum Great Hall
Karl Marx famously finished formulating his theories on communism in here - because it was warm.

Ramesses Statue
Only took this because I went to the actual temple where this is from last year, in Luxor.

Assyrian Wall Carving
Loved this because it's all about motion - an arrow moving through the air, in stone.

Parthenon Statues
Saw fakes in Athens last year. The battle between man and beast - or really just humanity summed up.

Green Park Rain
Heading towards Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham View
See Big Ben way over there?