Saturday, May 28, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
...Marrakech (Morocco)
This is Hassan (petite-limo driver) whom picked me up and transfered me to the Marrkach Airport. But not before picking up 3 other people (Latifa, Mohamed, and a french tourist name Jacque). Then as one big happy family, we dodged throughout the wild streets of Marrakech and eventually arrived safely.
...London (UK)
This is Jerry (exec-limo driver) whom picked me up at the Gatwick Airport in London. Good ol' chap he was. I knew I was going to have a jolly ol' time as soon as I set foot in London, and Jerry was a huge part of that.
And as I took my first steps out into the "world" I was definitely feeling alittle cultural shock. The following are some images from my London vacation. I hope you enjoy them, because I will definately look back on these from time to time just so that I can remember what it felt like to purchase a $10 dollar bottle of water.
On The Strand
(Look Left / Look Right)
I'm sure a few American tourists have narrowly escaped being flattened by a big red bus by ignoring the signs printed on the street telling them to Look Right then Look Left. Alternatively, you can just look in both directions like we did just to make sure nothing is coming to flatten you.
*1942 the first form of curb drill was introduced - look right, look left, look right again. The Big Red Double-Decker Buses in London have been nicknamed, "Inner-city serial killers", due to the number of pedestrians (tourists) looking the wrong way.
St. Paul's Cathedral: This enormous domed cathedral has stood as a symbol of British Christianity since 1710. It is the fifth cathedral erected on the same site. The first, also dedicated to St. Paul, was constructed in 604 (the fourth was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666). Major efforts were undertaken to preserve the church during WWI, launching it from a religious emblem to an icon of British tenacity. The famous Whispering Gallery allows people on opposite sides of the dome to accurately hear each other, even though they are more than 100-feet apart. The Golden Gallery and Stone Gallery offer views of the surrounding city. The crypt contains the resting places of celebrated soldiers, and scholars.
"Ye Olde Cock Tavern"
Every style of building from the past 300 years is in Fleet Street, but the Cock Tavern has to be the narrowest. The original Cock was on the other side of the street, but was demolished to make way for a branch of the Bank of England. Ironically the bank is now a pub. The Cock crossed the road in 1887 and as much of the original interior as possible was moved to the new building, including the fireplace, its overmantle and the ornamental cockrell, all thought to be the work of master carver Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721).
More info... http://www.pubs.com/cockec4.htm
"The George"
This particular site has been in use since 1723, albeit originally as a coffee house, and, whilst outside there hangs a sign of King George III, the pub supposedly took its name from its original proprietor, George Simpkins. (that's my brother there situated on bench, just patiently waiting for me to hurry up so that we can get out of the rain and grab a pint)
Hyde Park:
The last time I was in London it was raining quite a bit, so I was unable to fully experience the park the way it was intended to be. This time I took advantage of the favorable weather, and now Hyde Park has become just another major selling point for me, as I consider the possibilities of re-locating here in the future. Some quick facts on Hyde Park, are that it's one London's finest landscapes and covers 140 hectares (350 acres). Hyde Park provides facilities for many different leisure activities and sports as well as being the focal point for public events of all sizes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
