2005: A European Odyssey in Pictures

Bonjour! This is a photoblog to chronicle my exploits in Europe in May/June 2005. On it you will find professional-quality photographs, mixed in with my own trademark irreverent commentary. It's like being in Europe... with a particularly quirky tour guide. Bon appetit!

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Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Friday, July 29, 2005


Heading back to the hostel across the notorious Tower Bridge. Posted by Picasa


The rebuilt Shakespeare's Globe Theatre sits on the south side of the Thames, same as the original Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's time. When all theatres were forbidden in the good city of London, the actors moved across the river to continue their work of corrupting the good people of London. During a performance of Henry VIII in 1613, a cannon shot sparked a blaze that burned down the original Globe. It was rebuilt soon thereafter before it was finally burned for good by the Puritans. It's always the Puritans. Posted by Picasa


St. Paul's Cathedral looms on the far side of the Thames. I wasn't able to get there before they closed. On the right is London's newest Bridge, the Millenium Bridge, a work of art entirely for pedestrian traffic. Posted by Picasa


One last night-time shot of London. Beautiful city, by day or night. Of all the cities I visited, I'd like living in London most. Posted by Picasa

Day 2: May 19 (London)

My second day in London, my first full day in the city, I went back to the district of Westminster to see the things I'd missed the day before. Due to the similarity in my travels on both Day 1 and Day 2, as well the fact that Picasa reshuffled the order of my photos and my memories are getting fuzzier by the day, many of the pictures that appeared on Day 1 on the blog actually date to Day 2.


Real men never stop to ask for directions. I'm sure I'll recongnize where I am in just a moment.... Posted by Picasa


Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm late for my audience with the Queen. Toodles! Posted by Picasa


Honest, officers! The Queen said to come on in. Posted by Picasa


Bloody taxi, blocking my view of the Queen. She was right there behind the taxi. Honest! Posted by Picasa

Thursday, July 28, 2005


Why you should never take pictures after having a pint at the pub.... Posted by Picasa


Behold John Bull, Archangel of London Posted by Picasa


I was kind of disappointed with Buckingham Palace. It's not all that impressive looking, really, only dating from the 1830s and the time of Queen Victoria, which is yesterday for a city that's been here more than 2000 years. Nice angel, though. Posted by Picasa


Finally, I've made it to the very center of London, Nelson's Column at Trafalgar Square! Pretty impressive, isn't it? Posted by Picasa


Don't do it, Nelson! Don't jump! Posted by Picasa


On each of the four sides of Nelson's Column is a bas-relief of one of Nelson's epic victories. This commemorates one of them whose name escapes me. Posted by Picasa


This is one of four lions that lounge at the feet of Nelson's Column. Posted by Picasa


Heh. A statue of Haig, perhaps England's most inept general, graces Whitehall, the corridor of power. Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 18, 2005

Day 1: May 18 (London)

The following are pics from my first day in London. I arrived at Heathrow Airport at 6:20 in the morning Greenwich Meridian Time or local time, 1:20 am EST. I was ready to go to bed, but the day was just starting. I was able to persuade myself for a while that I had slept on the plane and it really was the next morning, but my body refused to believe such a pleasant fiction for long.

I was dismayed when I gave $92 dollars to the exchange person at the airport and got back only 42 pounds! The pound is even stronger than the Euro. I was further dismayed when it took 16 pounds to get from the airport to my youth hostel on the south side of London in the Lambeth district. When I got to the Journey's Waterloo hostel about 9:20, I found out I couldn't check in until 2:00. Hmm... What to do in the meantime?


Ah, I can see the welcoming comittee is already here. Posted by Picasa


Water, water everywhere, but, come let's face it, you wouldn't really want a drop of this witches-brew to drink. Actually, the Thames is one of Europe's cleanest rivers. Posted by Picasa


On the far northern side of the Thames, central London and Westminster beckon. Posted by Picasa


Look how bright and sunny the skies are. How quickly that can change Posted by Picasa


Bloody tourists, knocking into me and messing up my shot! Watch where you're going! Posted by Picasa


Who needs a watch in London, anyway? Posted by Picasa


In the shadow of Winston Churchill, these blokes were protesting for a regional parliament for England, like Scotland and Wales have. English nationalism has been on the rise in response to Scottish and Welsh nationalism. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 12, 2005


It's kind of hard to respect a man in such a gaudy yellow get-up. Posted by Picasa


The House of Commons (from the outside, of course; no pictures allowed inside) Posted by Picasa