2019 Brimmer and May London Winterim Trip: No time to wax philosophical...

Today is quite the busy day. I am currently writing this post from a park bench in Leicester Square as the students enjoy a little bit of free time before dinner and tonight’s performance of School of Rock.

It is easy to forget that, in addition to the history, culture, and overall vibrancy of London as a city, it is a functional national capital and one of the primary residences of a world famous family. Today the students learned a little bit of the royal history of London. The day started with a walk through St. James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard. On the way, the students were treated to a little extra pomp and circumstance as there was a ceremony honoring a member of the Indian Navy at the Royal Horseguards. These are celebrations that just do not exist in American culture, and the students were awed with the reverence and pride with which the events were carried.

We then headed over to Westminster Abbey where Liz gave a thoroughly comprehensive tour of the millennium of British history that the structure represents. The students asked wonderful questions and were more often than not able to answer questions that Liz posed to the group. Liz’s Blue Badge training shone through, and she nimbly blended humor into the tour. It was a wonderful morning.

After visiting the abbey, we walked to Victoria Station and the numerous eateries and shops in that area. Following lunch, we headed to the Royal Mews for an afternoon tour. I had never been to the Mews before, and it was a pretty cool experience. The building holds all the Queen’s official ground transports: limos and coaches. The Mews are also the primary stables for the Queen’s horses. The students had a self-guided audio tour and had the opportunity to try on some of the livery of the stable workers and chauffeurs.

While in Leicester Square, we tried to book another show for Saturday night, but the only show in our price range is Wicked. The students wanted instead to look into a haunted London or Jack the Ripper tour. We will try again for half-price tickets when we get closer to Saturday, but for now we are looking into a walking tour as a consensus alternative.

I am finishing writing the blog as the students are finishing their traditional British dinner of fish and chips and Eton mess for dessert.

Tomorrow is the big day: our Harry Potter Studios tour. I will do my best to post during the day as we again will get back to the hotel pretty late

Thanks again for reading!