DAY 4

You know, this whole "day X" thing is kinda deceiving. For the record, this is Day 4 since LEAVING VICTORIA. Its only Day 2 in London. I just wanted to clarify that.

Before I pictorally navigate you through my day yesterday, there's an observation I simply have to share with you.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an anti-American in the slightest. Back in Canada, i'm always one of the first to defend the U.S. and am proud to be associated with a cross-border group like PNWER.

When they are over here, however, Americans stick out like a sore thumb. And not in a good way. They're loud and kind of obnoxious. Normally this wouldn't bother me. Why would it? Its their problem, right?

Yes... but they're my problem too because, like it or not, I sound a lot like them. And getting mistaken for an American in Europe is not a good thing. People are much less inclined to talk to you or even smile at you if they think you're American.

I half-expected this before I came over... that's why I wear a Canadian flag on my lapel. Its hard to notice, though, so yesterday I wore my Team Canada turtleneck. Still not much change.

Quite by accident, I found a little solution to the problem.

I slipped, unintentionally, into a bit of a British accent.

What a difference.

I'm not sure if i'm going to do this intentionally today or not. But anyone who knows my penchant for accents can understand how easily i'm falling into talking like a brit.

Anyway, on with the show:


After about an hour on the tube and Docklands Light Rail, I arrived in Greenwich. This town is famous for, among other things, Greenwich Mean Time.



One of the things I like about this trip is that so many of the Brit-isms from Are You Being Served? that I didn't understand are now making sense. In one episode, Mrs. Slocombe says "If I had known the firm was going to be so stingy, I would have gone out and got a wimpy cheeseburger." Now I assumed that was just a way of saying cheap, but it is in fact a chain of restaurants here.



I, for one, have never seen a humped pelican. Why they need their own crossing is beyond me.



The beautiful Queen's Park adjacent to both the University of Greenwich and the Royal Observatory.

The view from the top of the hill at the Observatory. You can see a small part of the park, the University of Greenwich, and the mini-metropolis of the Docklands.

I turned around and saw this large and obviously significant statue. I had no idea who he was, so I decided to investigate further.

Victor of Quebec, you say?

Wow... fancy!

Standing right on the Prime Meridian of the Earth.

The Observatory.

More Observatory. I did go inside and explore all of the neat stuff they have, but photography wasn't allowed.

Along the Prime Meridian was a list of cities and their coordinates. These were the only two Canadian cities listed. Now before my fellow westerners get all bent out of shape, please note that Toronto is also not listed. "But we're a world class city!"... sure... whatever ;)

In the heart of the charming town of Greenwich, conveniently located next to...

... Greenwich Pier and...

... the Chay Blyth, my ride up to Westminster.

Riverside condos along the Thames. I don't even want to know what these go for.

As we cruised along, we were passed by a Royal Navy ship headed out to sea. I didn't catch the ship's name, but I did give a thumbs up to the brave men and women aboard.

This was just odd... like some kind of bizarre "Mississippi meets the Thames" kind of experiement gone awry.

A close up...

... and the view once we passed. By far the most impressive of all the bridges in London.

I had to try hard not to start singing the song. I figured it might be bad luck to chant "London Bridge is falling down" while passing underneath it.

The Tate Modern museum. On the list of must-see attractions.

How very London.

Big Ben. It really is awe-inspiring to see it in person.

Statue of Sir Winston Churchill, one of history's finest leaders. Located across from the Houses of Parliament.

Hippies. Protesting something frivolous, no doubt. Churchill would not approve.

A very small piece of Parliament. It is simply too big to fit in one shot. Sadly, the House is on Easter break and there are no tours available during my visit.

A statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, a tribute to her leadership of the movement for the enfranchisement of women.

The more time I spend here, the more I try to live like a local. As such, I whipped into the Waitrose grocer and got a nice take away curry (it was at this point that I started slipping into the British accent), which I then enjoyed in my hotel room while watching the 6 o'clock news (London Tonight). I quite like this "local" feeling and expect i'll do it a few more times before I leave.

I was planning on heading towards the museums for an evening tour, but the one's I wanted to hit weren't open at that hour. So instead (and in keeping with the "local" theme) I hopped in a cab to a cinema in Chelsea to see a new Mr. Bean movie. British cinemas are pretty much the same as North American ones, with the exception of the popcorn. Butter on popcorn is unheard of here... instead you choose between sweet or salty. The verdict? It's better over here.

That's it for this update. More news of today's adventures soon.