A beautiful day to see the Queen

I was so lucky to spend the day in London on Thursday. Carla and I went to the British Museum to see the exhibit of art from Ife in Africa. This was a trip sponsored by the Racial Justice Advocates in the URC. The idea was to expand our understanding of the wealth and depth of the cultures of Africa so as to dispel the notion that Africa was the "dark continent" and had no culture until the white Europeans arrived. I found the exhibit beautiful and the conversation afterward enlightening about the slave trade from a British perspective. It is different than the 300 year history of slavery in the United States but still an insidious dehumanizing history. I hope that as we continue to be in constructive conversations we can grow and live into the wonder of the creation of all humanity in the image of God.

After a quick, and I mean quick dash around the museum (I did see the Rosetta stone and some of the ancient Babylonian temple art along with the Parthenon sculptures), Carla and I headed to Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the house of Parliament. Then, as two good UCC women who are and will be alum of a Methodist seminary, we had tea in the Central Methodist House. As with many inner city churches, those with any tourist traffic have diversified and offer hospitality that

also provides income to maintain the property. We then walked to see the Queen and although she was home she did not come out and invite me in for tea! I did see the guards march around but not the changing of the guard. You will have to turn your head because I don't know how to turn the video.

We also went to the British Library where I saw lots of beautiful books but unfortunately the Lindesfarne Gospel was not on display. I did see the Magna Carta though. It was a great day and my feet were sore but it was fun to see a bit of the city and I think that I will return and when I do I will take the bus tour to see all the important bits and then be able to wander a side street or two in search of a Fyffe banana. Here are a few images from my day. The first picture is Aphrodite from the British Museum, the second is a guard at 10 Downing Street, me at Big Ben and the window at St. Martin of the Field.