Jill Russell travels to a London community church called St. Martin's in February. She will be working in the marketing department and cafe of the church. On this blog, she will talk about her experiences as a first timer in Europe. She will compare the European and American media cultures, the people, the food and try to give people a real sense of what London culture is all about.
Jill is a senior at Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in May. She is a journalism major who was born and raised in Lakewood.
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Emerging from the underground tube station, I was in the aorta of the heart of London. It was all here: Parliament, Big Ben, statues of great men like Churchill, perfectly manicured lawns and flowerbeds that look like they were spray painted on the Earth... I casually strolled past a troupe of Iraq War protesters and my journalist instincts couldn't help but snap a few pictures of them for history's sake.
The crowds of tourists were starting to emerge too. I was among the first wave- the early birds that wake at 7 or 8 am, prepared and armed with cameras in one hand, highlighted guidebooks in the other. I allowed myself to be swept up in the wave of people, energy, and excitement. We all turned the corner and were instantly struck by the ancient majesty of Westminster Abbey.
My eyes followed every indent, spire, and steeple of this Gothic-inspired place. I became caught up in the moment, thinking about the historical significance of a place like this captured me in a spell that made me literally stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Then, the wave moved me inside. The line moved fast and I walking in the grand nave.. I started to pull out my camera, but almost had it ripped out of my hand from one of the elderly old volunteers who informed me that, 'YOU CANT TAKE PICTURES IN HERE!! IT'S A PLACE OF WORSHIP!'
and they conveniently have postcards located for purchase in the gift shop.. riiight...
Inside everyone was walking around doing their own exploring, but I decided my best plan of action was to use the free brochure to guide me to the famous sights. So I saw the Henry VII chapel. I saw the tombs of Queen's Elizabeth I and her sister Mary I. I saw the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots. I was the Coronation chair, made by King Edward I in 1301 and used for the coronation of every monarch since. I saw the Poet's corner, and memorials of Henry James, Chaucer, Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters.. this was definitely the fashionable place to be immortalized.
By the time I made my way back to the nave, main part of the Abbey, I felt completely fulfilled and humbled to have seen such a relevant and influential part of not just British history, but a little slice of world history.
