Living out of a Suitcase.

Big Ben (again)

Well it' been some time since I last posted, what with travels and midterms, I've barely had time to reach the computer. So my apologies on leaving you folks in the dark. But now I shall start updating you on the adventures of the Daw. In multiple posts. So sit back, get your reading glasses, blanket and some hot chocolate and read the wonders of the world that are my travels.

The first weekend in October I took it upon myself to frolic on down to the Palace of Wesminster (Parliament) and Wesminster Abbey.

The whole way to Parliament I walked along the Thames and realized all the monuments they have there. Randomly there was an Egyptian obelisk with huge dents and holes in it due to shrapnel hitting it in WWII after a bomb exploded nearby. It still astounds me the history that I walk past each day while I'm here, especially down town.

I saw then, a monument to "The Few" from WWII for those of you who might not know, a bit of a history lesson shall commence...now.

The Few is referring to the British airforce that would chase down the German bombers from the Blitz. They get the nick name from one of Churchill's speech that state "Never into he history of war, did so many, owe so much, to so few". Class dismissed.

There aren't many pictures due to no photography being allowed in Parliament or Wesminster Abbey.

Parliament was amazing, we (the tour group) walked the path that her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II walks when she opens Parliament each year. First starting in Victoria Tower (the other tower on the opposite side of the building) where her horse drawn coach pulls into. From there we walked up the hall and into the crowning room. Which it's soul purpose is just for The Queen to put on her robes and crown. The walls are decorated with carved oak portraits depicting different scenes from Arthurian legends, which I loved! This room was also used for a brief period during WWII for the House of Lords to meet in since the old House of Lords was bombed.
We then walked into a huge room which name escapes me at the moment, though on it's walls hangs portraits of the current King and Queen and every King or Queen who had reigned through a war. It was quite astounding. There was model of the old Palace of Wesminster which was burned in the great fire. We learned that the old palace had two churches in it, but when the King started the Church of England and separated from the Vatican, there was no need for the church to be in parliament.

Vicki's Tower

Before this time, only the House of Lords met in the actual Palace of Wesminster, though after the separation from the Vatican the House of Commons started meeting in Parliament in the abandoned church, sitting in the choir seats. Thus the reason British Parliament sit on benches straight across from one another and not in a circular patter like most current Congresses. Who Knew!

From that room we moved along to a little room that had portraits of the Tudor line then into The House of Lords! It was all in a velvety dark red with elaborate railings covered in gold and ornately carved wooden panels. This room also held the throne the Queen sits in when she opens Parliament for the year and reads all the bills to be introduced throughout the year.

When she opens Parliament, it's the only time all three branches of the government are in one room together. The ceremony is pretty cool. Everyone wears there ornate costumes and big hats. The House of Lords in quite small and can't even sit all the Lords, let alone those from the House of Commons. The House of Commons just stand in the back of the room while some of the Lords sit in the velvet dark red benches and the Queen with her party in the Throne at the end of the room. Stepping back a bit, when the Queen actually arrives in the House of Lords and takes her throne she then summons the House of Commons. A man with a specific title that I can 't remember then walks across Parliament (which is a long way) with some sort of scepter, towards the House of Commons. Once the man reaches the House of Commons, they slam the door in his face! This s to symbolize that The House of Commons has the right to deny the House of Lords and The Monarch's summons and demands. The man then bangs on the House of Commons doors with his scepter, (which there is a big dent where he bangs each year!) and they open the doors and fallow the man to The House of Lords where the Queen then reads the bills to be introduced. Then the ceremony ends!

OKAY! So, from the House of Lords we walked towards the main lobby of the building, where people can leave messages for their MP and even speak to them if they wish. Parliament has it's own restaurants and store where the House of Commons and Lords can eat and shop! We weren't allowed there though. On the dome of the lobby are the Patron saints of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom; England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

We then walked down towards the House of Commons. It was quite plain. It had plain wooden panels, and dark green curtains, carpet and cushion on the plain wooden benches. Very simple and dreary. After damage from WWII all the British Commonwealth countries sent, in thanks, an item to refurbish the House of Commons. So the seat the Speaker of the house sits was given from Australia, the gavel from Canada I think and so on and so forth, pretty cool trivia.

There are rooms/hallways really to either side of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons call them the "Aye" and "No" lobbies. The House of Lords call them the "Contents" and the "No Contents" lobby. When either house calls a vote the MP's walk to the corresponding lobby that they wish to vote, yes or no. I found it very unique. Our tour guide said that when she was a child the voting times weren't scheduled and when Big Ben rang to annouce that the MP's had 10 minutes to get to either lobby for their vote to count, they would literally run from nearby pubs, leaving whole meals on the table and police would stop traffic to let the MP's get to Parliament for their vote to count. Unique indeed. Nowadays since the chaos it cause in years passed, Parliament schedules what times the votes for which issues will be taking place.

Another little fact, the real estate around parliament when advertising for flats to let, they read "within range of voting bells". Apparently it rings quite loud.

Oh, you think I'm done...But I"M NOT!

We ended the tour by Wesminster Hall, it was under construction, but still would take your breath. It's been standing there for I believe 900 years? Could be wrong, but nonetheless pretty long time. The huge beams were ornate and beautiful.

OK, so on to Wesminster Abbey

Again no photos, and really I was actually surprised at to what was in it!

Every corner was filled with a tomb of some sort. Including Queen Elizabeth the first! I was standing right next to her tomb, how incredible! I've read about her ever since grade school and here I am at 23, standing next to her tomb! I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. Also there was the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots! INSANE! I just couldn't believe it!

I also saw the coronation throne. Every monarch since the 1300's has been crowned on it! And I stood next to it! A freakin' chair! Older then the U.S.! What the poop!

The chair holds the Scottish Coronation Stone, which is a huge stone that is fabled to have been part of the Rock Merlin thrust Excaliber into. It was stolen from the Scots by some king in the medieval ages, but was returned to Scotland a few years ago, though Scotland will send it back when a coronation is about to commence.

I also saw the old monk council room and a beautiful courtyard. Pretty cool stuff. There were also plaques to honor President Roosevelt during WWII.

"Beautiful Courtyard" You decide.

I also saw this "monument" I guess you could call it, but I thought it was very appropriate.

"Monument"

Well hopefully updates shall abound! And I will catch everyone up on my travels before I leave for another one.

And the other posts should hold some more picture so you don't have to read this babble!

Well I hope everyone is well and PLEASE feel free to leave some feedback or wacky message.

Cheers!
Sir Alex of Daw