January 4 & 5: Discussion of Henry V and London Excursion
A picture of our class meeting on January 4, which included a rather animated discussion of Henry V, facilitated by Carolina.
There are train strikes in the UK, which have affected many overground train services this week, so we decided to postpone our visit to Stratford Upon-Avon--which was originally scheduled for January 5--until the last week of the trip rather than run the risk of either getting stranded in Stratford or not being able to make it there at all. As an alternative, I ventured out with seven members of the group across Hyde Park to see Buckingham Palace, the changing of the King's Life guard, the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, where we connected with Dr. Major and Helen, another member of our group.
A picture of the group in front one of a sculpture designed to represent one of the four corners of the Empire (in this case America) at the foot of the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park. If you look closely in the bottom left hand corner of the picture, you will see the blurred image of a dog fleeing the scene. The British love their dogs, and many people walk their dogs off leash in Hyde Park. So students got a chance to watch and/or pet several dogs on the way to Buckingham Palace.
Alicia and Justin in front of the Albert Memorial, which sits in Hyde Park in front of the Royal Albert Hall. Queen Victoria had this memorial, including a rather gaudy gold statue of her husband, Prince Albert, built as a tribute to honor him after he died.
A picture of the group outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on the way to the changing of the King's Life Guard at Horse Guard Parade.
The Changing of the King's Life Guard at Horse Guard's Parade, a ceremony that has taken place since 1660. Although most tourists flock to the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace, the changing of the King's Life Guard at Horse Guard parade tends to be a little less crowded and perhaps a little more interesting since it is conducted by soldiers of the household cavalry mounted regiment vs. the foot soldiers who conduct the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony takes place every week day when the Cavalry Mounted Regiment ride their horses down from Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge to take over guard duties at 11:00 a.m. for a period of 24 hours. As one of Dr. Major's course readings notes, "The monarch has a value of permanence and a symbolic status that a president could never have," which is a sentiment that is vividly represented by this ceremony.
The group pictured at the changing of the King's Life Guard at Horse Guard's Parade.
Justin pictured in front of the mounted sentry guarding the entry of Horse Guard's on Whitehall.
The group pictured in front of one of the Lions at the foot of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square.
A view of Big Ben from Trafalgar Square.
Alicia samples a plate of Bangers and Mash (otherwise known as sausage and mashed potatoes) for lunch.
The group in front of Big Ben and Parliament in Westminster, London prior to taking the Tube from Westminster, South Kensington to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum on Exhibition Road.
