England: What’s the Big Deal?

England has a long, rich history. London, the nation’s cultural and political capitol, is no exception. In the five days we spent in this historical city we did more subway-riding, more speed-walking and more site-seeing than most would accomplish—heck, even attempt—in a full week. I don’t think any of us had experienced the kind of self-inflicted sleep deprivation as we did. All for the sake of seeing the unseen, exploring the unknown and soaking in the culture.

Having once been the largest empire this world has ever seen, Britain no longer has the domain it had a few hundred years ago. Nevertheless, because of its long history, Britain, and especially London, is regarded as one of the most diverse places on the planet—certainly the most diverse I’ve ever seen. I often found myself overwhelmed, for the United States is often referred to as a cultural melting pot, but after visiting London I would have to say that this place is just as diverse, both in its culture and in its people. So many times we would be walking down the street or sitting in a café and overhear a conversation spoken in some strange, exotic language. (Especially French. I can’t even begin to count how many times we found ourselves surrounded by swarms of French school children who seemed to have no concept of personal space.) It was also never difficult to find good food, whether it be Indian, Persian or native English cuisine. Too many times there was so much to do and so much to see that I was crippled by indecision. Thankfully, however, I was able to see some amazing things.

The place that by far left the biggest impression on me was Westminster Abbey. Throughout the trip I often poked fun at the queen and the royal family, seeing them as illogical and silly. However, after seeing Westminster and seeing the rich history it tells and holds I can finally understand all the hullabaloo about the Her Majesty, the royal family and all the pomp and circumstance. Walking past the tombs of kings and queens from hundreds of years ago, seeing doors and paintings over 1,000 years old, thinking of the people who have walked under this beautiful building’s roof, one begins to understand why so much importance is placed on things that at first glance seem so arbitrary. Westminster, and places like it, has certainly broadened my horizons and provided a new perspective on things previously ill-understood.

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