It's Ketchup Time! Westminster.

AHHHHH! So its been approximately two weeks since I've blogged. I suppose its ketchup time.

Two Wednesdays ago I went to Westminster Abbey. It was the first time since being in London that I was truly moved to tears by any place that I visited. Where specifically was I emoting all over the place? In Poet's Corner. (Would you expect any less from me?) Buried underneath me were some of the greatest writerspoetscomposersthinkers that ever lived. Browning. Chaucer. Tennyson. Dickens. These men have in some form or another inspired me, frustrated me, or "spoke" to me in my years studying literature. BAHH! AMAZING. Also at the Abbey was Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Did I mention Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots? Eh? It was far too much for me to handle. Having all of those incredibly influential people buried under one roof. I suppose it was TMI- too much incrediblosity.

After spending several hours exploring Westminster listening to a commentary courtesy of Jeremy Irons (yes, that would be the voice of Scar in the Lion King), we (and by "we" I mean the amazing Alex, Michal and Taylor,) listened to Evensong. This service took place in the central area of Westminster. A place where Princess Diana's funeral service took place. Handel was buried only a few feet away from where I was sitting. The organ music was almost eerie when coupled with the soprano voices of the young choir boys. It was a very odd sensation sitting there and listening to it all. The music seemed to drift above us and lift our own minds and souls to a higher place. That sounds terribly cheesy I know. But don't knock it until you try it.

After our four hour Westminster visiting extravaganza, we went to the Red Lion Pub located across from Parliament. It was filled with members of Parliament who were drinking in the downstairs bar area...this area was decorated in rich mahogany, was terribly small, and was void of women. With that said, we decided to dine upstairs. Now until this point I had not eaten a proper meal while in London. I ordered the sausage casserole, which turned out to be a mix of homemade sausage and vegetables, served with a side of mashed potatoes. It was life changing. I almost wept. The four of us also shared THREE AMAZING Desserts, including a Sticky Toffee Pudding served with warm custard. Heaven. As you can tell thus far, my friends and I are equally as passionate about food as we are about sight-seeing. After our meal we made our way down to the bar with a new found confidence. We ordered "Honey Dew" Beer, which was brewed a few blocks away. This beer was light and sweet with undertones of..you guessed it...honey. However, I was so full from our feast that I could not even make a dent in my pint. Alas.

I went home this day feeling full. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually...full.