London Icons

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Wait, another London post? Yes, indeed. There is SO MUCH in London and I didn't even SEE it all, let alone experience it. All I had was a week. What a memorable week.
I don't know if I make a good representation of an American, but I'm going to propose that when an American thinks of London, he/she imagines Big Ben and the Tower of London. Oh, and the Changing Of The Guard.
Greenish creepy lighting

Houses of Parliament
This is where the magic happens, guys. Bills become laws, discussions become arguments, houses become government. [What that government is, exactly, confuses me, but it involves a House of Commons to approve money, a House of Lords to do something or other secretive and not detailed on the Parliament website, and the Crown, which by their own account, is mostly ceremonial. A Prime Minister is in there somewhere. And that is An Explanation of the British Government according to an American who doesn't Understand It.]
Next up, the Tower of London and All that it implies!
Macy and me. and the Tower of London

The London Bridge. Not falling down
The Tower of London is a World Heritage site, but I didn't read why. It does house the Crown Jewels, which sports gems from all over the world. That's my best guess. Also, some people were imprisoned here, like Lady Jane Grey (who was actually Queen for 9 days, but apparently the title didn't stick.), Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, and Guy Fawkes. Our guide that day was obsessed with reminding us that these people were killed, but not forgotten. 
"...those two young princes were killed in that tower, but not forgotten."
"That pansy of a king was killed, but he is not forgotten."
"Lady Jane Grey was beheaded, but not forgotten."
I'd rather keep my head, thanks.
Although I had only heard of the Tower of London as a prison, it was actually supposed to be a palace, and also became a menagerie of animals (commemorated now with wire representations).
Wire monkeys
There is a superstition that if ravens leave the Tower of London, the sun, which has already set on the British Empire, will likewise set on the United Kingdom


A bone saddle. Does not look comfortable

A book of receipts. They must have gone on a shopping spree.
Now, the Changing of the Guard!
Here is a guard

Here is Buckingham Palace

And the Guard is Changing!

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