The following essay was produced by my mother in the period of an hour on ambien. She will finish this story tomorrow on the train.... Enjoy!
This morning started off like every other morning -- early! We passed the school kids in their uniforms and almost got hit by oncoming traffic, as we do every morning. Locals like to play Frogger and we do too . . .we just get closer to death. The subway was so busy with rush hour traffic I got on but no one else could I found a small opening and jumped on the my fanny pack and push people as I yelled I'm coming on! Alex and Mike watched me smash up against the window and drive off into the tunnel.
When we got to Buckingham Palace Road I found a letterbox is at the Girl Guild of the UK. A neat stamp hand carved and placed in 2010. I love letterboxing.
We we then visited the Queens Gallery, part of Buckingham palace, with actual items owned by the monarchy. Paintings, books, carvings and other items dating from the 1500s . . . which again makes it twice as old as America. We traveled on to the see the Royal Mews. Servants live above the Mews for free rent. Families are born and learn the trade and work there. It is their entire life and very different from ours. I loved the newest carriage the monarchy owns. It is black and had a bunch of old things on it (ie. Hand made wheels, has 26 coats of paint, but it also had much new. Such as the electronic chassis for a smooth ride.
After we went for lunch at the shop across the street from the mews. We mostly had fish and chips and they were yummy. However the service was do rude and bad and it's the first time in my life I have never left a tip.
Buckingham palace was large -- very large! It was beautiful on the inside and Alex couldn't imagine what it would be to live there. There are beautiful staircases, beautiful paintings and beautiful furniture. The dining room was amazing. As I am trying to teach Alex to set a table, Buckingham palace is a good example. Every piece of china, silverware and glassware is measured to position correctly. There are six wine glasses. A red wine and white wine glass, water glass, champagne glass, dessert glass, and an after dinner glass. Personally I would never get them right and the queen would have to tell me what to do!