The Lure of Antiquity - Part 1

I was so excited when my children arranged our travel to the United Kingdom particularly London and Northern Ireland, the places which have strong influence on world civilization. But I was also doubtful if my husband and I could withstand long hours of flight. I was indecisive. In fact I could hear Shakespeare's lines saying, "to be or not to be, this is the question..." 

Finally the lure of antiquity prevailed and all went well with our travel.

My arrival in London was like waking up to a beautiful dream or seeing in reality some knowledge learned from my readings. To others who might have frequented the place, it's no big deal but for me all my senses were brought alive to the reality of my vicarious experience.



The English Garden


It was summer, the green carpet like grass and shrubs in varied shapes first met my eyes. Then I recalled part of Rudyard Kipling's Glory of a Garden.

      “Our England is a Garden that is full of stately views

         Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues."


This was described by Kipling in the 18th century but the same classic feature of England existed today even in a very urban London where crowd of people never faded, where din never ceased and the unending search for wealth and fame knew no bounds. In a very limited area of land in almost every home, well-trimmed shrubs following a pattern served as borders of well-kept lawns. If you were lucky to look inside the borders you could be amazed of group of flowers in varied hues creeping above some point in the lawn or cascading over window panes.


The vast royal gardens were picture perfect in its pastoral and idyllic setting amidst a modern environment. Rolling lawns under age old trees which led to a lake at Windsor majestic gardens of Kensington and Buckingham under the craftsmanship of a creative gardener all spoke of royalty. Whichever of these gardens it served the same function - beauty, elegance and quiet in a nook where one longed to go home to after a day's grind.

Historic London


I joined the cruise at River Thames with its murky and stinking water. Spinning the dial of time to 43 A.D. Romans chose the site by the river for their settlement which they called Londinium. The settlers found the water as a good source for drinking and other household needs. Now, even the waters moaned over the loss of its clean crystal flow but Londoners made use of it as a source of the city's commerce.


After the cruise, we walked down the road leading to the tower of London. The water from the Thames flooded the basement of the tower prison and passersby paused to throw some coins into the water as was done in funeral processions. Was this the place where Anne Bolyne and other defectors of the English crown were beheaded? Oh, such gory death and this tower stands so strong today as a reminder of power.


As I crossed the London bridge, I asked if it was" really falling down." It has been refurbished into a sturdy bridge which my sister said would open upwards every time a ship sails under it. I paused to see where the opening was but throngs of people and assemblage of classic cars moved like ants along the bridge, I almost lost sight of my companions. Everyone just seemed to be in a hurry, always on the double as if there would be no tomorrow.



Architecture


Most of the buildings in London were made of age old bricks in medieval architecture. There were no high rise buildings like other modern first world countries. Thanks to the wisdom of the English people in preserving their culture through some of their edifices for this generation to appreciate relics of beauty more than a thousand years

hence.

People


Londoners who were overweight wobbled down the streets but those who were fitly trimmed were well dressed men and women. I just enjoyed looking at their outfit in elegant mix matched colors. Old and young alike were just smart and lovely. No wonder they were known as snobbish breed but that was outwardly. In reality they were friendly.  I've read this race of beautiful people were descendants of Shem and Japheth the favored sons of Noah.


How I wish I could have stayed longer to see antiquity in this vast London but time was running out then, we have to leave for Belfast where we would stay for nearly 3 months. See you on part 2 of my Odyssey.