We're Too Sexy For Parliament.

Yesterday was the first of our Professor Dunn-led field trips, and let me say: I was impressed.

We started off with a little bit of this:

Yes, that is really the British parliament. So, in the interest of keeping you informed, Dunn apparently is bff with some MP for the Scottish Nationalist party. (think: PQ in kilts) So, instead of having "real" tour guides through parliament, we had some guys who worked for the MP as whips. Personally, I preferred hearing stories of how the MPs keep silly things like lightsabres and plastic swords in the ceremonial sword sheathing ribbons to hearing which pieces of furniture were donated by which colonies.

And, just for the interest of my own personal family, there is a Fleming crest displayed in the House of Commons. So...very cool. I wanted to take a picture of it, but I also wanted to stay out of jail that day, so I had to weigh the options.

Of course, as always, here is the glamour shot of me and DMK in front of Big Ben. I also wanted to show off how great everyone looked that day, which there will be more evidence of to come. Jon took this picture, by the way, which is why the quality is so darn good.


Afterwards, we headed to a museum, which was fun...but for some reason the only picture I took while I was there was of a clock. Not even a cool clock. I can't explain it, but I think it may have hypnotized me with its shinyness and moving parts. But, to make a long story short: that part of the day was relatively boring.

Then came our little tour to 10 Downing St. Which, as it turns out, we walked by twice the last time we were in London, but didn't even notice because it's a relatively innocuous looking side street. But anyway, we got searched a bit then went IN. Yes, in.

It was crazy. Here we are in the residence of one of the most powerful leaders in the world, and I was having the same thought as basically everyone else...

" Oh my god, it's the house from Love Actually...Hugh Grant danced on these very stairs."

Yes, I admit it. I'm a cultureless North American. However, I realized the deeper coolness of it after, and enjoyed some tea and a chat with a lovely Civil Servant in the dining room, along with the rest of the class.

Anyway, here is a nice picture of the girls and Rob hanging out in front of the famous front door. (Which, I must stress again, we were BEHIND at some point.)

So, thus ended the field trip portion of the day. Well done, Dunn. Well done.

Later, Marc and I took some wicked sweet Myspace pictures, Trafalgar Square-style.

Somewhere out there, there is a picture of me with that lion as well, but I'm sure it's not half as classy. Nor half as myspace-y.

After that, we went and saw Spamalot starring Tim Curry (who is pretty old now, by the way) with Marc's dad, who was visiting. It was hilarious, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Monty Python humour. Or gratuitious cleavage. I do recommend getting seats that don't infringe on British airspace though. The play loses a little something when you can see the prop people moving set pieces in and out.

Anyway, we were seated with some guys in the coolest and most ridiculous costumes ever. Marc was nice enough to take a picture of me with a couple of them.


And there you have it: another exciting, cultural, foggy day in London town.
I can't wait to visit again.