Thursday 7/12/07
The day started out nice and gloomy. My flat mates alarm didn’t go off so I had to set off by myself, hopefully Megan wouldn’t be too far behind me. And I’m the last to get there (besides Megan). We set off down to the right down Newgate Street and the first building he starts to talk about is the now High Courts building (1st pic top part of the building. 2nd pic bottom part of the building). This is where trails are held, but what’s historically significant about this building is that this use to be Newgate Prison. For all you history buffs:
“The original prison at Newgate was built in 1188 but was rebuilt in 1770. After being badly damaged during the Gordon Riots in 1780, George Dance was commissioned to design a new prison at Newgate. Completed in 1782 Newgate Prison was divided into two sections. There was a Common area for poor prisoners and a State area for those who could afford more comfortable accommodation. These sections on the prison were further divided between debtors and felons. The women's section usually contained about 300 women and children.” read more at:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/LONnewgate.htm
Once again, a piece of history I’ve read about and always wanted to see. And just for fun, the third picture on the left is of a sign for restaurant right across the High courts. I just thought it was kind of funny that it was called “Firefly”, it reminded me of “Serenity” the movie. :)
Next we head off St. Paul’s, which is amazing. In between going into the church my teacher gives us some history of the area but we can barely hear him, there is lots of traffic and constructions so I’ve given up on trying to listen and just decide to enjoy the sights. Next Tuesday we have class in class and hopefully he’ll go over the important stuff.. like a syllabus and what book we need for the class. Anyway, Megan finally catches up with us St. Paul’s and we go in.
I can not stress this enough... IT IS FREAKING AMAZING. No, amazing doesn’t even cover it. It’s literally breathless being in that church. No wonder it was such a big deal to get married in such an auspicious location. No pictures unfortunately, they aren’t allowed. But pictures would not do them justice. The BBC was there setting up for the London Symphony. Some tv program they would be filming. One thing I discovered that while other churches had status of Saints all around St. Paul’s has status of famous English people, like military, political, or poets / writers. they had a beautiful statue of John Donne. The Cathedral also has a monument to Wellington and a full crypt (which I find so morbidly fascinating). they also have behind the High Alter the American Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the memory of US serviceman base in the UK who lost their lives in the second world war. it’s beautiful. The Quire (just look up) has mosaics depicting the creation and other biblical scenes, like I said breathtaking. While the conductor was rehearsing se sat in the front row just looking high up as the music swelled through out the Cathedral, something I won’t ever forget. The Nave, where the congregation sits, is all towering white and gold. I’ll be going back probably in the next two weeks to attend. My grandmother would be so proud. :)
I found the crypt with its tombs and monuments fascinating. They pay tribute to people like Churchill, Florence Nightingale, Wellington (his tomb is here), and William Blake. It was all so fascinating.
Next it was time to attempt the 400 million stairs to the top.. yeah, not happy about that. But I gave it a try. Halfway there, feeling dizzy and claustrophobic I take a rest and then start again. I finally reach the first tier know as the Whispering Gallery. I sit for a bit more and try to do the next set of steps but no, it’s small, cramp and I seriously am having problems. I go back down and wait for the class. and I’m glad I didn’t go the whole way, apparently when you reach the top the area is wet and slippery with a flimsy piece of wrought iron fence. Not mush to hold on to if you fall and plunge to your death. I was assured I didn’t miss much by some of my class mates. lol
As to pictures, 4th is the outside of St. Paul’s, 5th is in the corridors on the say down (aren’t they so freaking small? thank God for windows), 6th and 7th pics are different views going behind the Cathedral in the garden on our way towards Cheapside (where Heath Ledger’s character in “A Knights Tale” is from! lol).
The 8th picture is of a building I think is important historically but again, I couldn’t here my teacher but it’s also pretty, Enjoy! lol
Next we walk past the residence of the Mayor of London (picture 9 and 10). From there we go into what use to be the London stock exchange, now it’s just house very high end stores and restaurants for all those high rolling business men in the area (picture 11 and 12). It’s a very pretty building.
We turn left and go behind some back alley’s and finally end up at photo 13th, apparently the building with the blue door is said to be “The Leaky Cauldron” from Harry Potter (1st movie), I don’t see it.. what do you guys think? Moving on, picture 14th is also a movie setting, this time “Bridget Jones”, pretty! And on our way out there is this huge metal building with these interesting stairs (pic 15th), yes there stairs, very modern don’t you think?
From there we walk to the Tower of London, no pictures taken because I really wasn’t seeing anything worth taking, at least not from the area we walked from. He took us across the street where may beheadings to place during Henry VIII, including Thomas Cromwell. Now it’s a park commemorating the British Navy. The building in front, I can’t remember what it’s for, I think it had to do something with docking of goods... and now it sits empty. :( So sad, it’s such a beautiful building too. By now we’re at the Tower’s tube station and closing in at 1pm (end of class) but he takes us one more place, behind alley’s and into this little court yard to show us a piece of the original Roman Wall that London was enclosed in (picture 16). It fascinates me that the very modern buildings where build the way they were around it. But that’s how most of London is, the old is work around to preserve most of it’s history.
And so that concludes my 830-1pm class for Thursday, whew, i’m exhausted again. lol
Next this afternoon, The Victoria and Albert Museum in way across town. Thank goodness for tube service.
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