Although many of us had been to London, we decided--actually I decided--to hire a private guide to take us around. David Hamed picked us up just after 1:00pm in his SUV--space for everyone. We agreed that we would look at various neighborhoods/areas of Westminster and the City. We also decided to take a tour of Westminster Abbey. Many people were in line and the waiting seemed daunting. But the advantage of a private guide is that he can get you in and short-circuit all these challenges. So he parked his vehicle, bought us tickets, and we proceeded to enter. David's knowledge is encyclopedic. I don't recall seeing the tomb of the unknown soldier from the first world war--it was surrounded by replicas of poppies. I think we were struck by the number of luminaries buried in the Abbey--or at least with tombstones. Turns out many are buried elsewhere, but seem to have a spot in the Abbey. Someone--I don't remember now--was buried vertically because he couldn't afford the space for a horizontal grave. I am happy to recommend David as your tour guide and hope you will contact me if you plan a visit to London.
One fact I did not know was how the key gardens came into being. There are many little parks in London that are completely gated and you need a key to enter. The keys come with property so only those who live near the park can enter. Makes for cleanliness if not a bit of snobbery.
Last night our conversation in the lounge was so loud that a staff person came and said she was going to close the door--we were sitting in a kind of executive conference room. Lots of thoughts about feminism, changes over time and generational differences and the viewpoint among some of today's women that maybe what some of us lived through and fought for isn't what it is cracked up to be. I think the conversation will continue.
Friday will include the Tate Britain and theatre.
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