Diamond Jubilee Sat/Sun

Welcome to Briton's 4th of July: the Diamond Jubilee--the 4th being celebrated around American independence and the Jubilee around the monarch.   I tell you want i thought Americans were proud--the English have had hundreds of year more practice!  But seeing all this festival had been so much fun!--it's a great time to be in the UK.  However, seeing all this country pride has made me burn to see my flag and country.

Saturday began in Jubilee style: we went down to Borough Market for a picnic.  I got an amazing chicken sandwich, traditional soda bread, cheese, raspberries, amazing pastries, and Turkish delight (rose and pistachio flavored) -- it was all to die for!  Borough market is amazing!

After the market we headed down to Forbidden Planet which in essence is the biggest geek store in all of London.  They specialize in anything geeky, such as movie paraphernalia, comic books, figurines, and anything dealing with a movie.  They have Harry Potter wands, cards, and Doctorwho muffin tins, it was crazy.


The Kaylee and I headed down to the Diamond Jubilee celebration at the Royal Albert Hall--this was something that i will never forget!  It was in one of Briton's iconic building, one that has deep ties to them as a country because of the monarch it was build after, and it was a complete celebration of what is Briton.  They played some of my all time favorite songs with a glorious choir, a celestial orchestra, a golden soloist, and an majestic organ, with a full visual component (They used the center lighting facilities to their fullest extend).




They played: Fantasia on Greensleeves, Nimrod (Wow, i had chills all over!), Danny Boy, The White Cliffs of Dover, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Hallelujah Chorus, Bring Him Home, Sailing By, Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, We'll Meet Again, By the Sleepy Lagoon, You'll Never Walk Alone, and Rule Britannia!

There were stunning bag pipes, guest military wive women, and every audience member had a British flag they were waving the entire time.  Some of my favorite moments:  when the director surprised the audience with his British flag inner vest, the directors bejeweled directors coat with flag on back, his fat jokes (came when he tried to race the  audience with his orchestra), and the amazing light show with Rule, Britannia!  It was amazing--i hope they have something like this for the 4th it would be unforgettable.  It was also fun because i sat next to a British man that shared some fun stories about meeting the Queen and going to her garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Sunday came with its usual: i taught the Teacher quorum and i think it went very well.  After we tried to go see the barges floating down the Thames.  We got off at Embankment and were headed like cattle up away from the river to the main street.  Ended up being headed again across Waterloo bridge, one in which they closed and after being trampled on we headed back to the center and just watched it on TV ;)