Day 2: National Gallery & The Cabinet War Rooms
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We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. - Winston Churchill
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St. James Walking Tour
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We had surprisingly perfect weather for our vacation - only one day of rain in a city known for persistent wet weather. This made touring the city on foot all the more enjoyable. Our second day in London, Roy walked us through the St. James neighborhood: one of London's wealthiest and most exclusive. We strolled through scenic St. James Park with tree-lined waterways backed by views of downtown London and Buckingham Palace; then continued past St. James Palace. While the royal family now stays at Buckingham when in London, the princes still have apartments at St. James Palace and other apartments in the Palace are given to important people who have retired after serving the royal family. Our favorite stop was the Burlington Arcade, the world's first shopping mall. When the Arcade first opened, it was so fancy that gentlemen had to wear a suit and tie to be let in. Today, the dress code has been loosened, but the mall still boasts plenty of independent high-end retailers that sell products ranging from handmade shoes and $400 sweaters to delicious macaroons. The girls also did a little window shopping for the season's most striking tiaras.
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The Cabinet War Rooms
One day in 1945, the door was locked on the Churchill War Rooms and history stood still.
The Churchill War Rooms brought to life the realities of British life during the second World War. We visited the small, underground village located just around the corner from 10 Downing Street. It was furnished with beds, desks, and kitchen necessities; but the heart of the War Rooms was the Map Room pinpointing the locations of the allies and the enemies. Listening to the recordings of speeches and reading personal letters allowed a glimpse into Winston Churchill's life.
The Churchill War Rooms brought to life the realities of British life during the second World War. We visited the small, underground village located just around the corner from 10 Downing Street. It was furnished with beds, desks, and kitchen necessities; but the heart of the War Rooms was the Map Room pinpointing the locations of the allies and the enemies. Listening to the recordings of speeches and reading personal letters allowed a glimpse into Winston Churchill's life.
National Galleries & Trafalgar SquareIn the grand tradition of British Museums, the British National Galleries included the works of artists from across the western world. Sure, we got to see William Turner watercolors depicting the English countryside. But our guide Roy would be horrified to hear that we were even more enamored with Hans Holbein's "The Ambassadors," a minutely detailed portrait of two 16th century diplomats that reveals a skull when viewed off-angle; Van Eyck's
"Arnolfini Wedding," an early depiction of a shotgun wedding between a rather elderly looking gentleman and a much younger pregnant woman; and Uccello's "Battle of San Romano," an early work to feature perspective with mixed results in its execution. After lunch, we even ran back through the museum to catch a few last minute pictures that didn't make the cut for our tour - Da Vinci's charcoal "Virgin and Child" cartoon and oil painting "The Virgin of the Rocks." |
Karma Indian RestaurantOn previous trips to the UK, we had been less than impressed by the food. The country is known mainly for porridge and other bland, tan foods. However, our Rick Steves' Book and tour guide Roy steered us well during this trip. We had a particularly memorable experience dining at Karma. Indian food has been popular in England for more than a century and curry stands now outnumber fish and chip shops. Our full tour group shared in this British tradition splitting traditional Indian hors d'oeuvres, four kinds on naan, spicy chicken and lamb curries, basmati rice and a pint of India Pale Ale.
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Read: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, set in World War II era England and penned by Oxford alum C.S. Lewis
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Watch: The Imitation Game, which combines WWII intrigue with scientific discovery and a poignant commentary on social norms
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Listen: Winston Churchill's war-time broadcasts from an era when radio was the primary way to reach the nation
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Taste: Chicken tikka masala, a mild but flavorful curry dish, with basmati rice, naan and India Pale Ale to get your palate ready for Karma
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