I'm not even sure I turned my camera on during the three days we were in Virginia. I did take a few photos with my iPhone.
Brian and I got home just in time for me to turn around and head to London for the weekend with two of my girlfriends, Erica and Erika. Brian and Anna hung out in Ansbach for the weekend doing all kinds of awesome daddy-daughter things.
I never expected London to celebrate Veteran's Day the way we do in the US. I, of course, see why they do, but I guess, I just didn't know what to think or don't ever recall in our travels being in a country during such a holiday. The day we arrived (Thursday) we noticed lots wearing red poppy flowers on their coats, dresses and shirts. On Friday, EVERYONE was wearing them! We had to know what was going on. Thankfully we were in an English speaking country! Once we found out it was Armistice Day, we had to have poppy flowers for ourselves! Think of the poppy as England's version of a yellow ribbon, only prettier. Sorry US, but yellow ribbons don't compare with beautiful red poppy flowers as far as looks are concerned. Don't get me wrong I do love what the yellow ribbon symbolizes.
First thing Friday we headed over to the Tower of London. Our tour guide was one of the wonderful Yeoman Warders. He told us stories about the Tower of London and also talked about what it's like to live in the Tower of London complex with his family. We ended the tour at 11AM - just in time for the two minute moment of silence, which happened all over London. We caught it on Friday and Sunday (when we were at the airport getting ready to leave). I'm sure it happened on Saturday too, but I don't know where we were...maybe on a subway.
After the TOL we headed to Starbucks for a pick-me-up and the off to Westminster Abby where people were able to place poppy crosses in remembrance of those who fought in WWI, WWII, Iraq and Afghanistan.
London Bridge in the fog
Our Yeoman Warder guide
Tower of London
London Bridge, again
Big Ben
Peace protestors
Crosses placed for unknown soldiers at Westminster Abbey
Army Air Corps
Poppy Wreath
Tribute to those who've lost their lives in Afghanistan
Westminster Abbey (from the North side)
British tree at Harrods
Wicked!
While I was in London, Brian and Anna participated in the lantern festival in our town. In school all the kids made lanterns and one evening all the parents went to school to decorate the lanterns as fish. (The theme was fish this year.
Other lanterns - before they became fish
Anna's lantern
After it became a fish
Eating a pear on the flight to the states
Playing with magnets at Nen's house
Playing with 'Little People' at Nen's house
