If someone had told me that I would be spending my 27th birthday having a BBQ with my Turkish and Kurdish neighbors in London, I probably would have guessed that I was a victim of mistaken identity in an international sting operation and was now imprisoned oversees in a jail that serves BBQ on the weekends. I guess that’s another way of saying, “I wouldn’t have guessed.” It was definitely memorable, and I guess that’s really what birthdays are all about.
Yesterday, Leah and I committed to getting out to see some sights 2 or 3 weekends a month, so we commemorated that commitment by going to check out some of the landmarks in Central London. We started out just south of the London Bridge, which despite being the main subject of a popular children’s song, was nothing special. It’s just an expanse of concrete and metal from one side of the Thames to the other. The only thing notable was the view of the other bridges and of the Tower of London.
It was immediately obvious that this country was born and raised Christian. There were cathedrals every few steps, and the size of each one of them made you feel especially insignificant. The first one along the way was Southwart Cathedral which sat along the south bank of the Thames. All of the cathedrals disallowed pictures inside, so I won’t attempt to explain and simultaneously discredit the incredible architecture and frescos inside. Next we stopped at the largest and probably the most famous St. Paul’s Cathedral Huge. 
For a £9.50 entry fee, they'll allow you to walk around the inside. Instead we walked out and made sure we had adequate coverage of the outside of the building for free.
Although the name of the next cathedral escapes me, when we went in they allowed us down into the crypt below. (Leah threatened the staff with physical harm) Apparently, in the 1500’s, the church was built on top of the wreckage of a Roman church built as early as the first century. Although no photos were allowed, I cracked off a shot wild west style of the underground area. What I couldn’t show you is the ruins of the Roman road a little ways down the hall. Really cool. There was a petrified hobo clutching a 40 near a lamp post.
Next was the foyer of the Daily Express. Some Aussie said we’d definitely recognize things from inside, but Leah and I could only smile and nod. The design on the wall, in the words of the information guy, means this: Britain is the center gold figure, and all the little silver freaks around it are the puny countries too weak to defend themselves against the British Empire. (I’m paraphrasing)
There was also a very neat art deco winding staircase. (the real reason we came to London) Leah got the best shot she could by pointing straight up the center. Then she elbowed a little English man in the head after she took the picture.
We saw a few open markets and were both in awe and impressed with the mix of culture and people. Everything from buying shark to olives, it was all there. I feel like we got a great sample of what London is all about. Till next time.
Other Pics:
Court Building Big Ben Wembley Arena
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