Wanderlust.: A Real Live Londoner -- Witness to History

The Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton is in crucial countdown mode, characterized by 24/7 media coverage and punditry and gaudy William & Kate plastered mementos. Whether you are planning to watch the wedding coverage (or could care less), it's still a historic occasion occurring (and being broadcasted live) in our time.

On November 16, 2010, as I was walking the streets of the Westminster section of London on my last day of my trip abroad, something historic and momentous was announced...and I had predicted it.

Before I left for my British adventure, I intuited to my family, "Wouldn't it be ironic if Prince William gets engaged when I'm over there? Wouldn't that just be crazy!?" Well, it happened.

On that Tuesday--my last full day in London--my itinerary was chock full with fantastic adventures. Spanning everything from a walk in St. James' Park through Westminster (by 10 Downing Street) to the Tower of London to a sunset climb of St. Paul's Cathedral.

In fact, my day was so full that I was unaware of the history transpiring all around me. Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged! Royal history in the making!

I discovered this fact late in the day, as I was returning to my hotel for the night. I had just experienced a spine-tingling evensong service at St. Paul's and had said my "cheerio"s to London--and my life-changing holiday--by walking along the River Thames to the nearest Tube stop. As I walked to the illuminated underground terminal with the slew of London's evening commuters, my eye caught the cover of the free commuter paper, "The London Evening Standard":

WILLS AND KATE TO BE MARRIED

My prediction came true! On my last day in London, I was a witness to history! I had to grab a paper (for posterity's sake, of course) on my way onto my train. The Tube ride home, there I was, "minding the gap," standing alongside true Londoners, reading about their monarchy's momentous news, experiencing history alongside of them. Every commuter on that train had a copy of the paper, learning everything that could be known about the royal engagement; there was a certain buzz to that train ride of which I have never experienced before...a buzz about being a witness to history.

I was--after five days--a real live Londoner.

Peruse the photos below for a little tour of the Westminster section of London, for those unable to attend the royal wedding...

The Mall, as I was walking towards Buckingham Palace...