Things I admire about London

Few things I admire in London. Do not take it seriously, please, but bear in mind what the essayst Samuel Johnson said back in 18th century. “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

Big Ben being best  at nigh

      Everyone is well familiar with the London´s main attractions, thence I am not gonna discuss them in detail. The recently renamed Big Ben dominates most of the postcards. However, it has never been the official name of the tower. Big Ben is the big bell inside. It is besieged by many tourist at the day time, but it is even more beautiful at night. I happened to walk by at nine, ten, one, two, and most recetnly at four in the morning. Shining bright, just adds the final touch to the atmosphere of a nigh walk along the Thames. Almost silence, the rush of the city has dissapeared in the distance. Just the London Eye shining blue on the other side of the river, and the Tower of London in the distance. From above the light of the night sky with stars, and quite often also a plane landing at one of London´s airports.

Determination of the demonstrators in at the Parliament Square

          Big Ben belongs to the buildings of Parliament, the law-making body for the whole kingdom. It can be said that parliament was created in Britain. As far back as in 14th century, the king had his council of advisers that evolved into the House of Commons. Nobility and the Church of England were represented in the House of Lords. Until recently, also the Britons bestoved with the life peerage could take their seat. For example, Isaac Newton repeatedly used this privilege, but he spoke up only once. Reportedly, he asked the gathering to close the window, because he was cold. Right in front of the Parliament, just across the road, you can see the tents of demonstrators. They are protesting against the Iraq war. I saw them for the first time in 2008 and since them I see them every year. They would not give up. Their patience can be matched only by that of the travellers on the London´s public transport, or the people lined up at the Olympic venues.

Westminster cathedral has nothing to do with the Westminster Abbey

       Many people might think, that it is one and the same thing. But we are talking about two completely different building, either in terms of religion and the architectonic style. Westminster Abbey is predominantly gothic church and the seat of the protestant religion in England. It witnesses the coronation ceremonies of the British monarchs, and various other celebrations, like the last year’s wedding of Prince William.

       Westminster Abbey also includes a cemetery with burials of some of the foremost British personalities, such as sir Isaac Newton, the traveler David Livingstone, former souvereigns and statesmen, the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Georg Friedrich Handel, Charles Darwin and many more. Even some people that are buried elsewhere has a monument erected here. For example the unknown infantry from the World War I.

     Westminster Cathedral, on the other hand, is about hals a mile durther, not far from the Victoria Station. It is rather modern building and of centre of Catholicism.

The four towers and much more to see at the Tower of London

      Foundations of the Tower were laid down by William the Conqueror. It served as a military stronghold during the middle ages, later used as a prison. Many prisoners died here in the mist of myth, and therefore their ghosts would come back and seek solitude. Thence the belief that the Tower is haunted. Some of the Yeomen Wardens reported sudden motion and sounds to be heard in the corridors and halls. The wardens are nicknamed “Beefeaters”, which is also the name of a famous gin. But the haunting has no links to the over-exposure to the liquer, at all.

    Most of the poscards with picture Tower as a square building with four towers. But when you approach the stronghold from the south, you would not see any of them, only a bunch of walls. If you came from the south, it is possible that you walked across the Tower Bridge, which opens in order to make a way for an oversize ship. These days, Olympic circles are hanging from the bridge. You can visit the Belfast cruiser from the WWII, still anchored at the south bank and serving as a museum. Also the Shard, at 309m the highest building in London completed in 2012, dominates the embankment.

Fish and chips is just fish and chips

         There are many fish & chips restaurants around the Tower. British cuisine is not very recognized, many tourists would complain about the faint taste. Anecdotal evidence says that it the result of the blockade during the World War II. Isolated from the rest of the world, the British could not import spices and foods, and had to rely on their home grown products, unfortunately few and far between. Traditional British dishes are pies stuffed with beef or/and kidney, fishermen pies, pudding and the black tea served at five. Best choice would be the tea.

    Thanks to the mixing of cultures, meals from all around the world penetrated into Britain and enriched the mediocre menu at the restaurants. The Italians anf French are much better cooks, however the British flag is raised with honour by Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. One of the popular dishes is the fish & chips, served by vinegar. In many hotels it is served on a sheet of old newspaper with the headline “catch if the day”.  Moreover, there are specialized restaurant, and not only around the Tower Hill. Once I gave it a try and went in. I was served fried fish with chips, the same my mother cooks back in Slovakia. Just instead of vinegar, I usually have ketchup.