LONDON
After trooping out of the tube station, all 60 of us (AIFS students plus families) arrived at Big Ben to start out Parliament tour. All together we probably took enough pictures to completely cover Big Ben in two layers, bursting our memory cards but enjoying it all the same. Once we were all assembled we went though security. Then we entered the magnificent 1,000 year old Westminster Hall. Listening to several questions though, we realized that one of the students had gotten taken aside at security for possessing a knife. As time passed this rumor bloomed into a thrilling tale about getting arrested, but thankfully the student just had a pocket knife for his lunch and rejoined the tour.
We met Russell our guide and soon found out that he was a hyper energetic, yet excellent guide. Then we made our way through, as Russell described it the 27 miles of corridors. We learned that the House of Commons has green leather seats and the House of Lords has red leather seats. This was because red is the color of nobles, and you can't escape symbolism! Though the whole complex looks incredibly med evil and ancient, it was built in the midst of the industrial revolution. To spare you from the 27 miles of history we learned today, I'll point out some of the most interesting facts:
Oh and by the way, the photo of us in front of Big Ben is not photoshopped; it just looks like that :)
Abby
After trooping out of the tube station, all 60 of us (AIFS students plus families) arrived at Big Ben to start out Parliament tour. All together we probably took enough pictures to completely cover Big Ben in two layers, bursting our memory cards but enjoying it all the same. Once we were all assembled we went though security. Then we entered the magnificent 1,000 year old Westminster Hall. Listening to several questions though, we realized that one of the students had gotten taken aside at security for possessing a knife. As time passed this rumor bloomed into a thrilling tale about getting arrested, but thankfully the student just had a pocket knife for his lunch and rejoined the tour.
We met Russell our guide and soon found out that he was a hyper energetic, yet excellent guide. Then we made our way through, as Russell described it the 27 miles of corridors. We learned that the House of Commons has green leather seats and the House of Lords has red leather seats. This was because red is the color of nobles, and you can't escape symbolism! Though the whole complex looks incredibly med evil and ancient, it was built in the midst of the industrial revolution. To spare you from the 27 miles of history we learned today, I'll point out some of the most interesting facts:
- the House of Commons has two rooms at either side to stand in to vote. One room is called the yes room and one is called the no room.
- the House of Commons also has 650 people, yet there were only 400 seats.
- a man commonly known as Black Rod is sent to summon the House of Commons when the queen is reading her speech. Traditionally just as he is emerging the house, the door is slammed in his face and he has to knock 3 times with his rod.
Oh and by the way, the photo of us in front of Big Ben is not photoshopped; it just looks like that :)
Abby
Lily, that is obviously a cardboard cutout of Big Ben....
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