Unfeeling? Only when no one else can hear

The only thing more stoic than the weather are the people on the street. No I am not saying all British are stoic but they certainly don’t seem to smile on the street. Before you British get offended read to the end for what should hopefully make you smile.

The day started like any awaking at the ungodly hour of 6am as if I was curled up on Dana St in CA as compared to Metropole. But stepping foot outside and all thoughts of CA whip out of the body as the frigid air swirls around us. But tomorrow is a day off and a chance to explore some of the city. Spending 20 minutes studying the subway map before confidently approaching a subway to take us downtown. It has been so bloody long since I have been on a subway or even looked at a public transportation map, I was certainly pleased it was in English. But no matter we make it downtown to a mere blocks from Buckingham palace. As we approach the Mall leading up to her Majesty’s palace we are thinking they are a little over the top with security. There is a cop (here called constable, don’t worry they can’t get too upset most are not even armed) every 4 meters (12 ft). Like are they serious. Well it turns out that the Italian president was arriving soon for a state visit, and this was the parade route for both him and the Queen of England. Well this is an opportunity that can not be passes up, so we line up along the metal railing awaiting the celebrity status of Her Majesty.

We do not have to wait long before the massive gates open and out marches no fewer than 100 of Her Majesties personal guards in full battle dress with full fur hats, long overcoat, white decorative belt, and an M-16 with knife bayonet. Marching in perfect form they take post in full military posh and circumstance every few feet along the main mall. Now this is an impressive site, every movement is taken with a high step salute to their commanders, and once placed the equivalent of their leftanent goes and personally ensures that each soldier is an exact distance from their neighbors using a ceremonial stick to precisely position his men. The Major rides along the route on horseback with his sword polished perfectly and being held up perfectly straight checking his troops. Each pass includes a yell from the Sergeant for his section to go from Parade Rest to Parade Salute (not to be confused with presenting arms). Now more waiting. Then the senior Metropolitan police arrive each sporting a cool air of efficiency and a few more M-16s for good measure. Then the military field medics which position themselves every 200 ft or so with a wood stretcher and the tiniest of field medical kits (we are talking like three band aids and a roll of gauze). Then comes two full marching bands with accompanying soldiers to move to the end of the parade ground. Then more waiting. Now keep in mind every time an order is given to the Sergeant they raise their left leg to almost waist height and slam it down as a sign of a salute. One Sergeant whose men needed to be moved several times and was thus given many orders and in between held at rigid attention was heard exclaiming to one of his soldiers, ‘My bloody feet are killing me!’ So much for British stoicism.

But finally the moment we have been waiting for, over 150 horse riders in full metal helmets with feather plums, polished metal breast and back plates, and fully decorated horses ride in perfect formation out of the palace, followed closely behind by two Rolls Royce vehicles one bearing the Queen and Prince Charles (in I would like to point out a very much heated vehicle). As we wait for the Queen to greet the Italian president we are shocked to hear a 21 gun salute as never have been heard before, using Canons ( they are nothing if not subtle). One at a time these canons fire ringing off the walls of nearby office buildings juxtaposing tradition with cool modern sites. These canons are silenced at long last and brought to the palace walls from the nearby park where they were fired by teams of 6 horses. These horses in full battle dress and escorted by another few dozen fully dressed honor guard soldiers also on horses take off at full canter still carrying these massive canons. More waiting. Finally at much last the cry is given, Company 3 Subdivision 2, PRESENT ARMS READY, PRESENT ARMS! The queen and other distinguished guests return not by vehicle but by horse drawn carriages (they look as cold as we do now). And just like that hundreds of people, probably hundreds more not even seen, dozens of hours of practice and planning, for the Queen to greet another equal in true fashion. Impressive.

I would like to say I have pictures of this but alas I do not. Not from lack of consideration to you my favorite reader, but rather my camera was safe in its location in my backpack back at the hotel. A good place for it don’t you think?

Well after that time spent in the cold it was time for a spot of tea. Where else to go but the world famous Harrods where if they don’t sell it, it must not be worth selling. An unbelievable mesh of fashion and beauty surround this store. Everything is done with style and grace in this true mark of capitalism. We quickly find a counter where we can relax to a cup of tea while watching the world go by. Lets take a second and examine the finer sex in London. First they absolutely love their boots. Boots of all type from form fitting leather, to bulky sheepskin, from ankle high to thigh high. Oh how pretty they look on so many of them. The British certainly have a look that is quite unique and distinguishable. The men (for my female fans), well they know how to dress. There is no jeans action going on here, ties are on the menu here and are worn with true flair. Pink is not an unusual color to be warn and they can actually pull it off. Oh what it would be like to be in a region where dressing to impress actually means going to work and not just clubbing. But alas the exertions of the day start to wear on the body (or just the bloody cold) so after some more walking around, it is time to make ones way back to the hotel for a little rest before dinner later. More on this later. Have a good day everyone just waking up.