London, Episode III: Conquering Single-Handedly.

THIS PAST AUGUST I DID what was, at the time, something incredibly daring for a little lady: I jumped in my car and drove unaccompanied to Minneapolis for the day. Of course I was disoriented for most of the journey, though made it back in one five-foot-one-inch chunk, feeling more of an adult.

I can safely say that today this affair was upstaged. For just after realizing that I indeed had an afternoon free of lecture and nothing to fill my hours, I decided to board a bus to London…by myself.

The strangest part about this endeavor was, I didn't have any idea where I was going and at the same time, I wasn't the least bit scared. I tossed my Rick Steve's Best of Europe 2009 book into my purse, a pocket sized map of the London Underground, and on my way to the station stopped by Wendy's News on High Street to pick up a London map. Then I got on the bus. I didn't think about getting on the bus, and I didn't think about where I was going, or what I was doing. I just got on.

There I sat, on the top of the double decker, in the very first row. I spread out my maps and books, and for the hour ride I studied the city as though I were to be tested in 60 minutes and I absolutely could not fail. When my stop came, I felt confident and primed for an adventure. I jumped off and like a magnet, made my way to the Underground to purchase my day pass to ride. From there it was all a slice of London; a smooth, tasty slice of London.

I'd been dying to see St. Paul's Cathedral since arrival, and so planned it as my first venture. One of my courses has me studying a nice bit of Sir Christopher Wren, the great architect that redesigned a chunk of London after the Great Fire of London destroyed a good deal of the city in 1666. St. Paul's is Wren's masterpiece, and honestly, I'm not certain that he, or anyone, could have exceeded this effort in his lifetime. Years of planning and building erected a wonder, and I wanted to see it straightaway.

Getting off at the nearest station, I rounded a corner and saw it assembled before me.

I wish…I wish I could tell you. I wish I could tell you what I felt. I wish you could feel it, and see it, and understand. I will try.

Think of the biggest building you've seen, be it a football stadium or a Walmart or what have you. Now multiply that building by two or three, change it two Portland stone and decorate it, in the same manner that icing adorns cakes. Embellish it with grand doors and elaborate stairs, columns, the works. Stand before this great structure, and feel the vigor that it secretes from the foundation to the highest point of it's dome.

I already was feeling emotional, and I had yet to see the inside.

It takes a good amount to procure this kind of sentiment from me, but when I walked through the doors I — literally — nearly cried. Call me trite, I know — it's a just a cathedral. I can say without a spot of disbelief, it is the most beautiful building I have ever been in. I circled the aisles for a while, looking from wall to wall, floor to ceiling and thinking of all the great people and events that must have traced the same sectors. And tread upon tread, I had my breath stolen. It is a masterpiece — humbling, epic, divine and beautiful. I could have stayed there for hours.



St. Paul's West Entrance. Glorious.



From the Southeast.


Lovely dome! Ooooo....ahhhh...



NICE WORK WREN!



A photo that I conned a friendly woman into taking. Awkward!

Alas I wandered on, stealing away to the Monument, and further to the Tower of London. I crossed the London Bridge, then jumped the Tube to Oxford Circus for a bit of, well…shopping. This was a tad ridiculous, but I will not argue. I had a great time spending money.



Tower of London. Pictures don't do it justice, I promise!



Tower Bridge. Holy moley!



See — I was there!



"I made it to the Tower of London."



View from the London Bridge, looking toward Tower Bridge.

A timeout for a quick meal ensued, before Tubing back to my bus stop and making the hour journey back to Oxford. There is hardly a single thing I would have changed about the day. I was in heaven the entire time!

So it is, that on this day I forced myself out of a great comfort zone, and into one of most gigantic cities in Europe. And I loved every moment of it.

I am very proud of myself!

Tomorrow I have decided to go to Stratford-upon-Avon with my group, with a side trip to Warwick Castle (-cough- TOURIST TRAP -cough-). I am going to postpone my Wicked viewing/London exploration for another week. It's not every day you get the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare!

Whew. I loved today.

Cheers,
jc