Tower of London and Nostalgia

I awoke Sunday morning to a house alive with the movements of Lia and Sonia. They were excited to have a me as a visitor and by the end of breakfast, Lia was starting to believe that we were cousins. Before I could eat the French toast and scrambled eggs that John made, Lia once again showed me all her toys and at one point refused to let me leave her room by clinging onto my leg and blocking my path with chairs and stuffed animals.

After Breakfast, I called Erik to let him know that I was starting the trip back to Rosebury. Around an hour later later, at 12:30pm, I walked into his hall after a somewhat erratic journey switching between the District, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Northern Lines. Still, while not the most efficient, the trip was faster than the roundabout route that I had taken the night before.

Back in at the dorm, Erik was done with his paper (as of 9:00pm the night before) and happy to know that staying at my cousins did not mean that I was angry about his need to write the essay. Soon after arriving, we were back on the street and headed to a coffee shop for lunch (his breakfast) and then on to Angel. Once there, I purchased an Oyster Card (think Smartrip or Charlie Card) for 5 pounds including 2 pounds of stored value. Given the hefty 'tourist tax' on transportation, buying the card was a sound investment.

Switching onto the District Line at Bank/Monument we went another stop to Tower Hill to visit the nearby Tower of London. As with all major tourist destinations in the city, tickets to the Tower were expensive at 14.50  pounds for a student (we both opted not to pay the 'voluntary' 1.45 pounds donation). Nevertheless, soon after passing through the gatehouse proved that the price while high was worth the sites inside.

Several towers, walls, and buildings are open to tourists in the compound, which includes numerous structures from various eras and periods. There is even a crumbling fragment of a stone tower once part of the Roman wall that surrounded the city. However, the main attractions were inside each of the buildings, with various artifacts from the kid-friendly armor and 'defend the castle' exhibit, to the Crown Jewels, and the myriad of armor and weaponry in the White Tower.

Erik trying on the 'guards' helmet

We spent nearly 2.5 hours in the Tower and would have been there longer if not for the closing of the complex. There are stories associated with each room and plaques describing each piece of armor and equipment. To read every element and to join one of the many free tours could occupy an entire day. I suggest visiting the site early and exploring every spot possible to more than compensate oneself for the price of admission. While I do not place too much value in jewelery, the array of crowns and artifacts echoes the majesty of the British Empire and its once absolute monarchy.

Leaving the Tower, we walked along the waterfront to intersect with the famed Tower Bridge. Unwilling to pay the steep price to scale its turrets, I satisfied myself with crossing its rather peculiar design of blue steel supporting arches, stone towers, and central drawbridge. I must appear approachable, for on the way I was stopped twice to snap photographs for other tourists.

Once over the famed bridge, we meandered along the waterfront, passing through the financial district with its modern glass-framed buildings, and back to the side with Saint Paul's Cathedral. I missed the nearby Millennium Bridge (pedestrian) the day before, so we walked to its center to look down the Thames and back to St. Paul's illuminated at night and magnificent for its Dome.

St. Paul's from Millennium Bridge

Full London Album

From there, we walked back to Rosebury in search of an affordable restaurant. Since Monday was Valentine's Day, we passed by plenty of expensive options catered to young couples. At one point we considered succumbing to the cheap 6 pound 'lovers special' at Dollar Bar and Grill, but quickly rejected it after noticing the red mood lighting and various 'romantic' decorations.

Instead we went back to Erik's dorm to see if any of his friends there new of a good place for dinner. Unlike the missing common room at Goldsmith, his hall boasts one with foosball and pool tables, as well as a bar. After scoring a couple to prevent owing him a pint after foosball, we played a quick game of pool with his English friends and set out for his room to see if Rickard wanting to grab dinner. Despite the stigmas associated with Rosebury's student-priced dining hall, we were convinced to check out the fajitas. To our dismay they were sold out, and so Erik and I left Rickard debating purchasing a pizza, while we set out to find a restaurant.

A few blocks from the hall, we came across an Italian Restaurant broadcasting the Inter Milan and Juventus match. The food was tasty, I opted for a steak while Erik ordered a pasta. Since Susan and John had earlier made a significant donation to the 'poor college student fund,' I was feeling wealthy enough to justify my choice.

Following dinner, we set out for pints at Spoons a local pub chain that boasts a variety of affordable micro-brews. After a couple drinks, I left the table to order the next round, and as is my nature, struck up yet another random conversation with a older guy at the bar. It turns out he was a site manager from near Manchester, and was supervising various projects in the city including the Olympic Stadium.  After I failed to return to our table, Erik came to the bar, which naturally brought the conversation back to the value of Rugby versus American Football - a discussion we had started earlier in the night.

After finishing our last call pints, we set out for Rosebury. Nearing the hall, we stopped at the adjacent small park and continued our discussion until the early hours of the morning. The long conversation had all the hallmarks of our debates at the Avalon over the summer that used to drive Paul to sleep before finishing.