Goin' to the Chapel

3-16-14

Well, ok so we weren’t getting married and it wasn’t exactly a Chapel.  Amongst the things we did today during day 1 of this London tour we visited a couple of Cathedrals as well as took a tour of the city and all of its glamor.  I knew coming on this trip that I would be mesmerized by the architect of London’s buildings, but mesmerized is too tame a word.  I was expecting old architecture as I saw in the Cathedrals, the gargoyles, the statues, the sculptures, and the stained glass.  Southwark Cathedral is a prime example of all of these things.  

Anna Claire at the Beautiful Southwark Cathedral

 What I was not expecting was the modern architecture.  I mean, I knew things like the Shard existed, but I was not prepared for the beauty of the modern architecture.  In the same city you can see modern technology and ancient knowledge combined into one bustling center for all things.  Turn down one street and you will see some amazing fountain that depicts an ancient god, or a scene from the Bible. Turn down the next and you find historical treasures such as the Golden Hinde.  Look across the street and you will find yourself staring at remains of the Clink Prison and its Museum.  Beyond the sheer architecture is the meaning of the buildings.  For example in the United States if you see grand ancient architecture it’s either a government building or a church.  In London even the eye clinic has gargoyles on the building.  The city is the definition of juxtaposition.  You can look over a bridge used to film the Harry Potter series and see St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background.  The combination of old and new is absolutely mesmerizing.

A view of St. Paul's Cathedral past the bridge.