Wow - what a day!

We officially started classes here in London this morning.  After a short classroom session, we headed off to Westminister Abbey, which happens to be across the street from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.  Could there be a better place to focus on photographing buildings?

We took a tour of Westminister Abbey (with Hugh, our favorite Blue Badge Guide.)  Photographs are no longer allowed inside the Abbey, so I can't share with you how awe-striking it is.  It is so ornately detailed - everywhere you look are more decorative tombs, ceilings, and architectural accents.  The history of the place is hard to comprehend as an American.  It is so closely tied with the monarchy and there are kings and queens from the 1400s buried alongside famous scientists (such as Isaac Newton) and authors (Chaucer and Rudyard Kipling, and more.)

 

We also saw the Guards and #10 Downing Street.  Just after I posed with one, an officer came over and inspected him.  He fiddled with his belt and made sure he was holding his sword at precisely the correct angle.

Up close you can hardly tell the gigantic London Eye is moving, but it moves surprisingly fast.  It provided amazing views of the city; it was a unique perspective.