A Week in London
Since I hadn’t been to London in ages, since my boyfriend had yet to see London, and since credit card points provided free hotel nights, we left Sweden to spend a week in London. I should mention that our visa requirements also mandated we leave the Schengen Area for a week. We had to go to Schengen-free London. Upon arriving, our first stop was Buckingham Palace.
Dodging thundershowers, I poked my tiny telephoto lens through the enormous front gates of Buckingham Palace to capture the intricacies of this distant gate. I didn’t realize, until later, that this photograph also caught a certain balcony above. We felt so fortunate that the sun appeared long enough to allow us to view the statues and flowers, plus browse the Buckingham Palace gift shop, where someone sampled a bit of the Queen’s tea.
When thunderstorms splashed down on us, we took shelter in our hotel room, snuggled under fluffy covers, watching thunder and lightning appear through our floor-to-ceiling windows. As soon as the sun emerged, we headed back outside. This led us to the free Tate Modern museum, with a beautiful gift shop and back doors that open to live music along the River Thames, right next to the Millennium Bridge—a perfect place to see St. Paul’s Cathedral while walking toward it.
Crossing the Millennium Bridge, on the way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, there was a view to our right of the Tower Bridge in the distance (a small taste of what was to come). As we made our way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, we happened upon more beautiful live music. I love the sights—witnessing history before us. I love music for an artistic experience. And I love being on foot for the culture.
In front of St. Paul’s Cathedral, we were so mesmerized by the architecture that we simply enjoyed photographing it. Looking closely, you can see live people walking around—just above the dome. Unnoticed at the time, now that I see people roaming there, the next time we visit London, I want to climb this dome. Isn’t it funny how we’re not tempted until we see?
I could stare at this all day.
It’s like visual meditation.
We then walked to the Tower of London. Since I’d toured it before (and since photos are not allowed in parts of The Jewel House, Tower, and Chapel areas), we decided to enjoy its historical exterior from under a rustling tree. Also, had I gone inside, it would have been hard to enjoy items with a value I’d rather see go to help our earth and humanity. It’s the idealist in me.
After our rest, we walked around the Tower of London, where the Tower Bridge appears. There is no easy way to share the million photographs I took of this bridge. It’s a sight to behold.
The next sunny day, we walked through Trafalgar Square, where demonstrations brought attention to Hong Kong and China. Human rights issues are so important to listen to and learn from.
We then passed under Wellington Arch on the way to Hyde Park. One might never guess that you can actually go inside Wellington Arch. As for Hyde Park, I’m not sure I should reveal that as I sat at a picnic table, enjoying nature and my delicious vegan takeaway, a rat walked by. The minute I saw its tail, I screamed and ran. I’m fairly sure I’ll never enjoy those picnic tables again.
After Hyde Park, it was time to visit the grounds of Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace is smaller than one might expect, with many calling it home. Since visitors are allowed to peek in, it seemed very much like a fishbowl. We remained outside to hopefully allow a little more privacy.
The Kensington Gardens were beautiful, even with the weather arriving above. I love the orange in the two trees ahead.
I did peek into the gift shop, where Princess Diana and her daughter-in-law, Meghan, were a warm presence.
And this preciousness. Yet we had no idea what was happening behind closed doors, did we?
Heading to our hotel, we roamed the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk with locals and visitors. I was unconcerned with monarchies until I saw how Diana was treated by those who should have loved and protected her. Those of us who have experienced relentless abuse from those we trusted to love and protect us—those who have controlled (even how others perceive) us and who continue to create danger for us? We understand this devastating trauma. I worry about Harry, Meghan, Archie, Lili, and others. We know the cycle of abuse must end—and that each human has the right to tell their own story, especially if abused. Thus, I’m so grateful that we now have this personal royal context below, so reality and history can be seen in perspective: