Thatcher funeral

Since I got back from the big trip, I have been working on revision and essays before the exam period starts at the end of April. I haven't had the chance to get out and do much around London. But, on Sunday, we went to Brick Lane. Its only about a 20 minute walk from campus and it was such a beautiful, sunny day. It was like 70 degrees and we were actually sweating outside for once! We ate some amazing food and shopped around the markets. I love Brick Lane, its always so much fun! I've finally been able to go to the gym every morning, now that classes are over. Yay!

Today was the funeral of the former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. We were planning on going until last night when several people had told us there were planned protests and it could be dangerous, so we ended up not going. I was able to watch the whole thing live online and it was really so cool! She was honored with full military honors (excluding the military fly by, at her own request). For the first time in a long time, Big Ben was completely silent the entire morning. Shots were fired from the Tower of London once every minute. The entire procession began at Westminster Abbey and went past Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, Courts of Justice, the Strand, Fleet Street, and finished at St. Paul's Cathedral. As far as I could tell, there were only a few shouts and posters in protest, nothing too bad. It was very sad to hear booing and shouting at a funeral. But overall, the entire procession and ceremony was really beautiful. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance, which was cool since she hasn't attended a big funeral like this since Winston Churchill. It was so cool to watch knowing it was only a few miles away! (If I look out my flat window, I can see the Shard and from the other side of the building you can see the Olympic Stadium. Such an awesome location!)

Well, now to get back to work :/ Only one essay and two final exams to go for the semester! And Italy in 14 days!