Tower of London

I had all kinds of plans today, but never made it out of The Tower of London. 

Tower of Power - I mean - London

I didn't really start my day until noon, I blame the jet lag. I'm hoping by tomorrow I will feel a little closer to normal. I had lunch at a pub. Sausages, mashed potatoes, and green peas. I then headed over to the Tower of London. I waited in a small line (or "the cue" as they say here) for security to go through my back pack (he said he was looking for vodka - The Tower is strictly a gin drinking establishment - funny guy!). Then, in through the middle gate of the compound I went. If it hadn't been for all the tourists, I would've thought I had been transported back in time. Well, the tourists, and all the signage. I don't think they labeled the towers back in the day.

 I talked to a couple of Beefeaters, got the general lay of the land, and began to explore.

Gin and Tonic please!!

All kinds of interesting stories about torture and beheadings. Poor Anne Boleyn - I think she might've been misunderstood. 

The Crown Jewels were cool, and I even thought the sword displays were cool too. But I must say, it did feel a little bit like a theme park. There were even actors wondering around in period clothing shaking hands with little kids. As I was leaving, I noticed this..

Tower of London and the Mayors Office. 

A study in Urban Planning. How DO you seamlessly integrate one of the oldest structures in England with the headquarters for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?! 

I headed back across the Thames via the Tower Bridge. I then proceeded to get lost and walked, and walked, and walked, until things started looking familiar again. I stopped to get a beer in The Globe pub - close to the Borough Market and the London Bridge train station. 

The Globe Pub 

I ordered an English brew called the Bombardier, recommended by the bartender. We chatted a little bit about why I got so lost, and the difference between a pound (aka quid) and a pence. He was so sweet, he almost let me pay for my 1.60 beer with a 2 pence piece, because he didn't want to embarrass me. (Yes, Maria, he was young and handsome - but I was the one with the "sweet accent" this time!) I hung out there and wrote in my journal and went through some books trying to figure out some better choices for the next few days.