IT felt kind of strange playing the tourist in my own home city. But for some time now, beginning in Brazil, we’d been reading to Zenchai books about London, so as to keep him in touch with his roots.
So it seemed only appropriate to bring to life for him the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben etc.
First, though, we had to visit the Thai embassy in Queen’s Gate (for our next adventure – more to come) and then we proceeded to the London Eye, getting off outside the Houses of Parliament at Westminster tube station, and walking across the bridge.
It was busy, of course (as I imagine it always is), but the queuing/purchasing process was surprisingly swift and efficient, even if the tickets (£28 for Zenchai and I) weren’t exactly cheap (but what is in London?)
The day was somewhat clear (intermittent rain) and we could see from the Eye as far as Wembley Stadium on one side. Zenchai really enjoyed the 30-minute journey, pointing to the different buildings and making observations about what he could see going on.
From the Eye we plotted our route to Buckingham Palace on foot. So we crossed the river again, hung a right, only for Zenchai to ask if he could ride in a London taxi. So I had him hail one down. We then took a short trip to Trafalgar Square, where he wanted to climb on the lions (which were a bit too large) beneath Nelson’s Column.
We’d read a book in which the lions had come to life and I think Zenchai really believed that if he mounted one it would take him for a ride, too.
Finally, he accepted it wasn’t going to happen and we headed on foot down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, Zenchai asking with excitement if the flag would be raised and the Queen at home.
When we got there, Zenchai was as fascinated by the guards and their marching as he was the cars in the Queen’s car park (presumably belonging to her staff). I heard him use an analogy later in the evening when talking to my father, telling him “he [whoever he was referring to] is as still as a guard at Buckingham Palace.”
From Buckingham Palace it was time to head home, via St James Park tube, first passing the Guard’s Museum, which was closed, but Zenchai didn’t pass up the opportunity to eye up a tank sitting inside the gates (which were open).
It wasn’t a cheap day, but we had fun and it was educational. Zenchai continually asked questions and later we discovered the answers.
Although I’d lived most of my life in London, I’d never really taken a day out like this to properly see the sights.
Recent Comments