Weapons and Jewels: The Tower of London

Today we decided to go see the Tower of London. Talk about history! We stood in the square where more kings and queens and other royalty were executed than anywhere else. We heard stories about scandals and secret passage ways. The numbers still do not add up- there were many more people that went into the grounds of the tower of London than who came out or were recorded as dieing/being executed.

We went on a tower with a special army personnel. Im currently forgetting the name and will add it in later. In order to get this job as a so-called "tour guide" one must have at least 20 years of service, have received certain honors and awards during that service, and then have applied with hundreds of other appicants to get one spot. Clearly not the typical tour guide.

After the tour, where we were told the history of the Tower of London, including that it started off as a royal residence, and where we saw the chapel on the grounds, we went inside to see the Royal jewels. I can honestly say that I would be too afraid to wear any of the crowns. Knowing me, I would drop it off my head and break a diamond. The biggest diamond we saw was about 530 carats. Absolutely incredible.

Next we took a different direction to see weapons and armor. This was just as incredible as the jewels, but in a much more imposing way. Henry the eigths armor was there. Look at my pictures- quite a sight. From the Tower of London, we could see the Tower Bridge, which we stood at as the sun set.

Trafalgar Square is where we went to dinner. We met Lizzy (another student who was studying in London) and ate at a little pub - best food and best prices yet. YAY! We sat for hours eating and talking. Then got to see the fountain and the embassies lit up that night.

We went back to the hotel so get some sleep before Jenn's last day!