"London" London by Peterodl

I stayed in London from Feb. 14 to March 10th, 2005 with the UWRF ITC class. This marked my 3rd time visiting the city.
A lot of people in my group thought London was horrible. "It's smelly, crowded, noisy, the people are rude, the subway doesn't work, things are expensive...etc."
I don't know where they were coming from but London is one of my favorite cities to visit. I've never met a rude person in London, it's a crowded city yes but so are all large cities, the subway (underground/tube) is outstanding and I can get anywhere I want on it no problem and yes things are expensive but once again, it's a large city.

I stayed in the Generator Hostel near Russel Square station and Kings Cross station and near the British Library and British Museum. not my favourite place to stay I must admit. I had been spoiled by staying in USA Navy appointed flats in 2001 and 2003 on Marylebone Street near Baker Street and Marylebone stations that go for 2000 pounds a month (or so I heard).

Still, I was only a 10-15min. walk from Oxford Street and all the shops. I found a new pair of Clark shoes for 50 pounds to replace my broken Clarks. My new ones were so comfortable I didn't even have to break them in unlike the old ones which have me a right nice blister on my left heal when I broke them in while in London the previous time in 2003.

inside the old parliament

I went and saw the British Parliament in action this time as well. I waited in line outside the Parliament for almost 2 hours in the cold windy weather (prob. about 30 degrees Fahr.) and watched Greenpeace do a protest rally against GMO's (genetically modified organisms) outside with a few people in scarecrow outfits walking around.
After being frisked and signing some informational papers, I was allowed into the coatcheck room before the viewing gallery. I had to leave my camera behind and was going to the gallery when my spare camera battery dropped out of my pocket. The guard asked/told me I need to check that as well. (what I was going to be able to do with a spare camera battery confounds me). After checking my spare battery and being frisked for a 3rd time, I got into the viewing gallery and watched the Parliament in action.
I stayed for about 1 1/2 hours and listened to the debate on passing a law that would allow for police to arrest people on suspicion and without proof of being a terrorist (like what was done to the IRA in the 1970s).
It eventually was passed a week or two later.
It was fun to hear all the "Right honourable gentleman..." "Right honourable colegue..." and the "hear hear" and the "guffa" of approval.

feeding pigeons in Trafalger Square

I went to the National Gallery to look around at the collection to kill time (I'd already seen the collection in 2003) and after coming out into Trafalger Square, I passed a woman feeding pidgeons. This is bad mistake on her part. The pidgeons swarmed her after a short period and she tried to walk away but the pidgeons followed until she was out of the square, a couple on top of her head. I had a good laugh as did a few other people witnessing it.
In the square there was a big inflatable igloo promoting London's 2012 Olympic bid. Lots of fog, Queen music playing with a picture slideshow and there were animated city plans on the floor of what the Olympic park will look like. I was a bit more confused than impressed but it turns out London will host the 2012 Olympics after all.

I had another fun time in London and look forward to being able to return soon.

• Pros:historical, easy to get around, nice people, fun to see
• Cons:expensive
• In a nutshell:One of the best cities in the world that deserves a visit.