London

We were in London for three days, and now we’re in Paris (I’m BACK!). It rained in London for most of the time, but that’s okay, because I’m used to Seattle rain. We first went to the Tower of London, which is where many prisoners like Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cranmer were held. (I learned about them in my Reformation and Modern Christianity class last year, so I found it interesting.) They also had a huge display of all of the crowned jewels, which was kind of cheesy, but cool nonetheless. It’s funny how much importance the monarchy had and still has in their country. I’m not used to that kind of thing at all.

We saw the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, which took a really long time, haha. I wanted to get my picture with one of them—you know, how they don’t smile when you’re next to them—but none were around. Oh well. It was fun to see them marching all around and playing the drums for an hour. There were these two in particular that just walked back and forth from side to side of the palace yard, which was funny because they looked like they were my age, and they were just kind of talking to each other as they walked with their huge hats with straps around their chins and big red jackets.

Let’s see... I went to a real British pub. I went to an organ concert at Westminster Abbey, though it was the day I got in from Paris so I kind of accidentally took a nap. I got “lost” on the Underground—which means I got split from my mom and sister, and it took them awhile before they decided to come back to get me, haha (that was also the first day, so I didn’t know my way around very well yet). I went on the London Eye (a massive ferris wheel-like thing). I saw good ol’ Big Ben (and you know what I thought when I saw that? “Second star on the right, and straight on till morning!”)

Last but not least, of course, we saw THE LION KING (the musical). It was SO good. It made me really happy. The first moment of the whole thing was so amazing. Rafiki, played by this African woman with a beautiful huge voice, sings the first line, and then all of these people/animals come out from the doors behind you, through the audience and up on stage. I’m talking giraffes, lions, rams, birds, and even an elephant. It was amazing. And every song that came on was just so good. My favorite non-Disney-song was “He lives in you.” It’s really good. You should listen to it. I loved the sets and the costumes. It was such a piece of art—so visually pleasing. Every scene was stunning. They also had quite a few interludes with African singing and dancing, which I also loved. I would see it again right now. I loved it. Definitely the highlight.

And now I’m back in Paris, at a park, typing on my computer again. I’m excited to go back to all of my favorite places and show my mom and sister around. We’re here until Sunday, so that gives us a good amount of time here.