July 7, 2009

London Day 19: The Tower and the Church

Our field trip for this day took us to the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral for examples of English crime and punishment throughout history. I asked my students to take the Beefeater’s Tour of the tower, something that’s always entertaining. I’ve visited the tower several times over the last 15 years, and I always have the same thought: was anyone who was imprisoned or executed here really guilty of anything? Still, it’s a great palimpsest of London politics and government.

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St. Paul’s might be my favorite cathedral of those I’ve ever visited. When I first visited in the early nineties, they allowed photography. They don’t now, but they still charge. Wonder why? (I suppose strobes and clicks would disrupt the Jesusy stuff going on. I did remember to take my hat off this time. I know how hats offend God.) Still, I did climb the stairs all the way to the top to photograph a mean London sky. I also sat for a time meditating under Wren’s golden dome that separates us from heaven. I also gave my respects to the memorials of Blake, Wren, and Donne.

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  Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

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I also have a photo from a previous visit to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese from 1998.

Canon Camera Information
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT1, Canon EOS 30D, Canon EOS 5D, or Canon EOS 6D • Prime Lenses: Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, or Canon EF f/1.2 85mm L USM • Zoom Lenses: Canon EF f/2.8 16–35mm L, Canon EF 24–70mm L, Canon EF 70–200mm L IS USM, Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 • Processed with Apple Aperture.