Impressive sight in London.

[Texan2]

While I am not a big fan of current British politics or their outlook on individualism and self-reliance, I am impressed by their history and the many ceromonial ways they honor that history. One of those ways is the daily demonstrations by the "Household Cavalry". These are the ceromonial guards of the Queen and are quite impressive. They have been "patrolling" the queen's residence for over 350 years.

Hats off to our British cousins for realizing the importance of remembering tradition.

 

[chris211]

In 1983 I was detailed out with a UN Multinational Force consisting mostly of a British pipeline unit. Growing up with our history I had a little distain for the British and now I realize that was mostly due to a lack of education. Till this day I still consider those guys my brothers. There was no politic or religion disputes, it was 100% let's do it. If ever in a jam, I would be a smiling sum bitch if a few Brits come to my aid.

 

[Texan2]

Culturally and in many other historical facets, they are indeed our cousins, and a modern day ally. Like them or not, many of our traditions started with them, and I think they are doing a good job hosting the games this year. I much prefer to see the Olympics there than Moscow or Bejing.

 

[majormadmax]

While it's been a few years since I was last there (Jan 2009), I've made numerous trips to London over the years and it remains one of my favorite cities in the world. I have been lucky in that some of those visits were in a capacity where I could get up close and personal to some of the more historical aspects of the city, such as having my picture taken at the front step of #10 Downing Street (where the British Prime Minister lives and works). I also got the chance to get inside the Old War Office building in Whitehall. I've stomped around most of downtown London on foot, about the best and only way to really see the place. It is a remarkable city and the history and culture there could fill a person's lifetime trying to see it all...

Cheers! M2

 

[Dragwn]

Major, did you notice when you are at #10 that you are not allowed, even if you are a Political guest, to take a picture with the door open? When I was there last year with a mate who is DSG I noticed that. Also going underground at the House of Lords and Commons is a pretty cool area to see. Never had as many questions checking in as I did when two of his mates walked me up to the AA check-in, guess having two blokes with MP5's walk you up looks abit odd I hope I get to go back soon with my wife, next time around we will go up into Big Ben.

 

[midnightyell]

next time around we will go up into Big Ben.

That could get noisy. Big Ben is the bell. The building is now called "Elizabeth Tower."
(Not trying to be a jerk, just excited that watching the Olympics really can be educational!)



"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." - Maj. Gen. John Stark (1728-1822)

 

[Dragwn]

Midnight, aye, but when you are running around town with two old Londoners they stuck to the original names, never heard them use that name. Learn something new everyday (unless you are in burnt orange).

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I've seen the guard change ceremony at Buckingham. It's pretty cool.

 

[midnightyell]

never heard them use that name.

On further review, it was only recently changed in celebration of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.



"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." - Maj. Gen. John Stark (1728-1822)

 

[majormadmax]

Major, did you notice when you are at #10 that you are not allowed, even if you are a Political guest, to take a picture with the door open? When I was there last year with a mate who is DSG I noticed that.

Actually, while my RAF buddy was taking my pic in front of #10, the door did open! Scared the crap out of me, but the PC escorting us laughed and said if it was the PM coming out we wouldn't have been standing there! Turned out to be some staffer!

Also going underground at the House of Lords and Commons is a pretty cool area to see. Never had as many questions checking in as I did when two of his mates walked me up to the AA check-in, guess having two blokes with MP5's walk you up looks abit odd I hope I get to go back soon with my wife, next time around we will go up into Big Ben.

I really miss London, wish I could go back there on a regular basis but even with all my travels, it's one place I just don't get to...

Cheers! M2

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I haven't been in a few years. I can't say I miss it though.

The more places I go, the more I like being at home in Texas.

 

[Bithabus]

God save the Queen.

 

[Texan2]

God save the Queen.

Indeed. Of all of the heads of state on this earth, she is one I have no issue with.

 

[shortround]

London sucks if you go there on a budget and not on a corporate or government credit card.

Can't get a good night's sleep in a cheap hotel, because the hookers keep beating on your doors for a date.

Trafalgar Square is nothing but a huge area where the homeless and beggars will give you no rest.

British food sucks: They can't roast a chicken properly, fry an egg, and every meal (except breakfast) includes green peas and mushy potatoes.

Their beer (ale) is pi$$, and all "import" beer must be brewed in England.

In the many months I lived in Watford (North West London), I quickly gave up all Pub Food, Fish & Chips, and subsisted exclusively on wonderful Chinese, Indian, Balkan, and American (Mc Donald's & Pizza Hut) cuisine. It was impossible to find a good steak and baked potato!

Now, we watch the London Olympic Summer Games, and the Brits gave the best seats to every venue to sponsors and VIP's, and those seats were mostly empty.

Ticket scalpers now sell tickets at 10X face value.

I'd rather visit Austin (suck) than London.

 

[Texan2]

Ah....Shortround, we can always count on you to piss on a decent thread. Do you ever say anything positive about anything?

 

[zembonez]

Hey Shortround... How about a short summary of things you LIKE? I'm sure it won't take more than one sentence.

 

[winchster]

Hey Shortround... How about a short summary of things you LIKE? I'm sure it won't take more than one sentence.

Most likely less than 5 words. Sentence, hell.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

My attempt to help shortround be happy...

London London sucks if you go there on a budget and not on a corporate or government credit card.
Solution: Get a job that travels and quit yer bitchin'

Can't get a good night's sleep in a cheap hotel, because the hookers keep beating on your doors for a date.
Solution: Use card from said job to get nice hotel (and nice hookers if that's your thing) then quit yer bitchin'

Trafalgar Square is nothing but a huge area where the homeless and beggars will give you no rest.
Solution: Dunno. Never had a problem with the people there. Quit yer bitchin'

British food sucks: They can't roast a chicken properly, fry an egg, and every meal (except breakfast) includes green peas and mushy potatoes.
Solution: Don't eat British food. Eat Indian, Lebanese, French, etc. Lots of great cuisine there if you branch out from traditional British food. After you eat, you guessed it, quit yer bitchin'.

Their beer (ale) is pi$$, and all "import" beer must be brewed in England.
Solution: Get good whiskeys made in the UK or go drink a margarita at the Texas Embassy. If you're trying to blend in make it a Vodka Martini - shaken - not stirred - and take it easy on the bitchin'.

In the many months I lived in Watford (North West London), I quickly gave up all Pub Food, Fish & Chips, and subsisted exclusively on wonderful Chinese, Indian, Balkan, and American (Mc Donald's & Pizza Hut) cuisine. It was impossible to find a good steak and baked potato!
Solution: Now you're catching on. Quit yer bitchin' - all the steak has mad cow anyway!

Now, we watch the London Olympic Summer Games, and the Brits gave the best seats to every venue to sponsors and VIP's, and those seats were mostly empty.
Solution: You mean the people who pitched in the most money to help fund the games got good seats? (gasp). Become a sponsor and get a sweet seat you won't have to bitch about.

Ticket scalpers now sell tickets at 10X face value.
Solution: Embrace the free market.

I'd rather visit Austin (suck) than London.

To sum it all up...if you quit your bitchin' you'll have a better time wherever you are.

Just FYI, this was kinda tongue in cheek. I'm just messing with you a little, but geez, lighten up. I almost jumped out my hotel window I was so depressed after reading your post.

 

[midnightyell]

Don't drink your martini shaken. It bruises the liquor and destroys the flavor. I'm not even kidding. the reason Broccoli and Fleming had him order it that way is because it's the low-class, "wrong" way to order a drink. It's like getting your filet well-done and asking for A-1 or ketchup.

 

[Dragwn]

And another way to enjoy a city, anywhere, is to have a friend that lives there so you don't end up around 2 bit whores and lousy food (unless that is your thing). Having a 24 yr veteran of the London Met who is now DSG helped me have a great time. And there are good steaks, if you don't wallow around in tourist districts. What I got a laugh out of was the going to an eat in Pizza Inn with a salad bar and seeing how it was considered higher class.