LAST DAY IN LONDON-FRI

Back in London after an adventurous train ride. The gentleman that was pushing me through the station was very nice and very humorous. The crowds were so thick a person could hardly walk around much less a wheel chair and huge luggage rack. He would yell excuse me at the top of is lungs and rarely did it matter, people turned, looked but did not move an inch. Then he yelled out I know karate and I have been in prison, out of the way. People then moved. We had a wild ride back to the hotel, rush hour again. As soon as we checked in, we ran over to catch the last double deck tour bus. It was about 3 hours, very much cooler, about 80. The sunset was beautiful from the top deck. I saw everything from up there. very high up and very wild ride. You really can see every turn and all the traffic going on down below. The wind was blowing but what a perfect view. The tour guide was a Brit and very funny. (Yes my face was amused) He had crazy stories to tell as well as the regular tour stuff. When he realized we were American he was even funnier. When we got to the area of the city where the law school and most of the lawyer offices were, he named several people who had gone there and dropped out. One was Ghandi, he left to go home and bring peace to his nation. Another noteable was Mick Jagger. He was caught between a rock and a hard place and he chose the rock. ha ha. The tower of London was something to behold, massive size for the most part standing firm. The moat has been drained but the land surrounding the castle remains. It was very deep and wide and would have kept the enemy slowed down. He had many humorous comments about the guys that had to raise and lower the draw bridge, big arms and such. The walls are 15 feet thick , very high and the gates were monsterous. The tourture tools were invented in the tour and prisons. The rack, the iron maiden, burning, eye gouging , you know all the fun stuff. Two of Henry 8 wives were beheaded here. The other rich but not royal people got beheaded, drawn and quartered or had their entrals ripped out in the public. Along the bridge road the heads were displayed on a stake until all flesh was eaten off by birds. Very gruesome. Just being interned there would have been awful. Many people were taken there and never came out. Murders were common. Big Ben can be seen away off. Very stately and regal. I saw St. Pauls church, where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married 27 years ago in July. That was unblievable to think that it was so long ago. We saw the Hospital for the Laying Down, sponsored by Princess Di and under the protection of the King and Queen, in a very poor area of the city, Carved in stone above the name was this statement. This is a maternity hospital, and she wanted to improve the lives of women. They spoke respectfuly of her, but with unbriddled enthusasim and affection of the Queen. Westminster Abbey was very beautiful and huge. 11,000 rooms. The arch bishop of canterbury has his own palac. Very old and very large. They truly weiled power and position of influence. The church of the Knights templar was quite large. Inside the grounds was a beautiful park . C.E. Lewis visited the church and was reading all the names of the knights carved on the walls and he saw the name Jekel and Hyde and that was the source of the famous novel and movies. The thames river had many sights to see along the rivers edge.. however, the boats had liquor pouring freely, and the evening crowds seemed wild and unruley. We saw Baker Steet, Sherlock Holmes and number 10 Dowing Street, with police officers guarding the Prime Minister. The stately castles and residences were very exciting. The heart of Richard the Lion Heart was brought back and buried under one of the castles. The heritage and history is rich. The wealthy people of the world all have land here, homes or apartments. A night at the Dorchester Hotel is 17,000 pounds which is more than 18,000 us. The honeymoon sweet is more than twice that and is booked year round. Liz taylor has been there 6 times and is considered a honored honeymoon guest. The shops were amazing every level of expense you could imagine. Harrods' has made millions and he also owns two or three others. Wealth is strange however. The richest area of the city has town homes and very close individual homes. Blocks and blocks of highrise(but very old archetecture) The only real homes are the manor houses(like mansions in the country). Will close for now ...INDIA TOMORROW.