Another late start today but I’m on my way to the Tower of London. Annabel was trying to be nice and bought me a six pack of Pepsi. However, not being a soda connoisseur, she picked up diet. I wouldn’t have said anything but she offered me a glass for it and then asked me why I wasn’t yet drinking it. Anyway, I think I’ve hurt her feelings because she left the kitchen right away when I said that I never drink diet soda. I tried to explain that nutri-sweet does not agree with me. I’ll just pay her for it. I’ve got to get cash to pay her anyway for the six nights since she doesn’t take credit cards. I feel just awful that there was a mix up. It seems that my Pepsi drinking does cause problems. I have actually been drinking mostly Coke since I’ve been here anyway because their Pepsi doesn’t taste as good as their Coke. I never thought it could happen that I would pick Coke over Pepsi.
I’m sitting by the ravens’ cages just finishing lunch of a muffin, cheese and crackers and Coke. The next tour starts in 15 minutes so I don’t have long to write. This place is really cool. If it weren’t such a beautiful day (sunny and clear), one could easily imagine how sinister and terrible it was. As it is, with all the thousands of tourists here, it’s actually very pleasant. I like hearing the ravens squawking. Also, I like the Beefeaters tours. I’m going on my second one soon, after having taken the recorded tour of the walls and some towers. This next one is actually not a tour but a talk with slides about the different treatments of and torturing methods and devices used on prisoners.
Tower of London
Courtyard5/19/98
(click for full image)
5:00 - Now, I’m waiting for my third Beefeaters tour (discussion and slides) and will then see the Tower Bridge open at 6:00. They said on the tour of the Tower Bridge, from which I just came, that it only opens 500 times a year these days (6,000/year 100 years ago). The Tower Bridge Experience was okay. There were about 40 eastern European (Polish, I think) juveniles (about ages 10-14) along with me. There was a good view from the top of the bridge but was obstructed in some places. It was interesting to learn about how the cantilevers work to open the bridge and learn about its history before and after it was built.
After the second Beefeaters talk ( not actually a tour), I now think these people are (were) extremely sadistic. And, of course, we’re all morbid to come here! I only came to see the ravens. Sadly, I cannot get close to them. A few are out on the lawns or up on the turrets but we are not allowed to go near their cages.
All 40 of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) live here at the Tower with their families. The 5:15 talk was interesting as he explained the symbols on the uniform, representing England, Scotland, etc. The dress (red) uniforms cost 16,000 pounds. Everything that looks gold really is gold. The black uniforms are usually called their summer uniforms - right. They do get extremely hot in them. He also explained how they become Yeoman Warders and lots of other interesting facts. Each day they are assigned a different task - security, interacting with public, slide show discussions, paperwork, etc. The Ravenmaster is the one who cares for the ravens. Most of the YW’s don’t like the ravens because they are noisy and unpleasant. They consider the Ravenmaster to be a raven as well.
At 6:00, the Tower Bridge opened for a ship to pass under - I took four photos. I forgot to mention that today, May 19th, is the anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s execution. I think the year was 1534 but am not sure. Anyway, I think I might have nightmares all night after seeing all those contraptions for torture on the slide show.
I thought I would get back to my room and get settled early (7:30) but my key would not work and no one was there to let me in. I walked around the neighborhood and looked for dogs to pet in the park. Met Lilly and Katie who were friendly but Sue, who looked like Saucy only more black and bigger, would not come to me. I miss my own doggy.
Anyway, I rode the tube to Paddington to check out the times for tomorrow’s trains to Windsor. Had a chocolate shake from Burger King. It tastes different but just as good. On the way home, I got a little messed up at High Street Kensington and missed a train and had to wait another ten minutes for the next one. I do hope someone will be there to let me in because I’m very tired.
It’s been an interesting day. I’m especially glad that I caught the bridge opening and visited the Tower on the anniversary of someone’s execution day. Isn’t that nice?! Ugh! I guess every day is an anniversary for someone though.
People are different with regards to the tube. Instead of waiting for others to come off the train they start pushing to get on and the doors get very congested. Somehow, it doesn’t matter though because no one gets left behind or caught in the doors like on the DC metro. Another thing I've noticed about these trains is that they are a lot narrower than ours. They can't fit as many people in one car so there are lots more cars on each train and they run quite frequently. The fabric on the seats is noticeably itchy when wearing shorts. I keep forgetting that this is England and people aren't supposed to get a chance to wear shorts very often.
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