Government, Religion, and Opera*

Hi everyone!
This morning I took a guided tour of Parliament, where I stood in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. I say stood because as our tour guide said, "Only very important bottoms are allowed to sit in those seats". The great hall of Parliament dates back to the first King of England, William the Conqueror. The rest of Parliament was built during Queen Victoria's reign.

The author leaning against a black iron railing in front of the clock tower of the Parliament building (known to Americans as Big Ben). The Building is tan stone, and decorated with thin spires and detailed carvings.

I found a member of the Metropolitan Police outside the Parliament Building.

The author with a British police officer. He is wearing a black fleece jacket with epaulettes on the shoulder, a police radio, and a black domed hat with a brim. On the front of the hat is the insignia of the Metropolitain Police: a large seven-pointed silver star with the british crown on top. A black wrought iron fence, and the Parliament building are visible in the background.

This afternoon I went to Westminster Abbey. I was lucky enough to be there when the choir and organ were rehearsing prior to the 3:00 service. I also saw where Queen Elizabeth (the first) is interred, along with Mary Queen of Scotts, and George Frederick Handel.

An artistic view of Westminster Abbey. The Abbey is white stone with two towers, arched stain glass windows, and religious statues. The photo is taken from the base of the Abbey so the towers draw the eye up to the blue sky and clouds above.

From there I stopped outside New Scotland Yard for a photo,

Author standing under a large gray sign on a thick pole that reads"New Scotland Yard". The author's hair is in a ponytail, and is blown about by the wind. There is a glass sided office building in the background.

and then went to Westminster Cathedral.  The cathedral is in the Byzantine style, and is a work in progress, so large parts of the cathedral ceiling are yet to be completed.

The exterior of Westminster Cathedral. The building is decorated with dark orange bricks and white horizonal stripes. On the left side of the cathedral is a large tower, twice as high as the rest of the cathedral. Above the entrance to the cathedral is a decorated circular arch.

Interior of Westminster Cathedral. The arched ceilings of the cathedral are dark and unfinished. A large red cross with gold trim hangs from ceiling over the main altar area. The walls surrounding the altar are white marble archways, and contrast with the dark ceilings. Rows of light wooden chairs face the main altar which is covered in white and yellow flower arrangements.

Tonight I'm seeing the English National Opera's production of Sweeney Todd, with Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel.  It will be a late night for me, and an early morning tommorow; I'm taking the train to York.

Author standing to the left of a large framed poster for the musical "Sweeney Todd". The poster is red and black, with photographs of the cast in costume while performing several scenes. The author is wearing a floor length black dress.


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