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.   

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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...

The Victoria Memorial, in front of Buckingham Palace...

 Buckingham Palace...

The Queen's guards practicing for official royal parades (including the wedding procession)...

Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned since the 11th century...

The Union Jack, perched atop Westminster Abbey's spire...

 The side entrance to the Abbey...

Self-Portraits

Destination(s): London, UK and Paris, FR.

Airline: U.S. Airways.

Companion(s): Me, myself, and I.
Challenge: Accepting my self-portrait.

Outcome: A trip I will never forget.

Late last year, I had an adventure...one which I will never forget. 

I went on holiday--by myself--to London and Paris. 

When I share this with people, I often get similar reactions: Why by yourself?  Were you scared?  Did you get lonely?  My answers, respectively: Just because.  Not really.  Nope, I got to know myself in a whole new way.

It all came about because I had a revelation: I can't just keep waiting for "the right time" to follow my dreams.  I have to live out who God created me to be and follow the dreams he's given to me right now.  One of those dreams?  To travel.

There were times before (and during) when I questioned my ability to travel by myself and there were moments when I felt anxious about being alone, but those were untruths.  I can do these things, because I was fundamentally created to do them...by just being me, by accepting my self-portrait.

From the moment I touched down at Heathrow International Airport (LHR), to the moment I stepped off the EuroStar train in Paris, to the moment my plane touched off the ground en route back to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), I lived out ME.  I was uninhibited by anyone's expectations--including my own.  I was liberated to follow my intution in where to go and what to do.  I experienced God's love and sovereignty on the Westminster Bridge, while watching the sun set behind the Houses of Parliament.

Silly as it may sound, every trip I take has a distinct personality...and a soundtrack.  This trip's personality?  Liberation, acceptance, and freedom from expectations.  The soundtrack?  Anberlin, "You Belong Here."

While clearly a love song between a guy and a girl, to me--standing on the Westminster Bridge, over the River Thames--it was God's love song to me.  "You belong here, you were meant to be; you belong here, you were meant to be with me."  I was meant to be who I am.  I was meant to follow the dreams he has for me.  This is the self-portrait I was living out in that moment--in the here and now.

I can't just keep waiting to live the life God has for me or to be the person I was created to be.  No, I need to fully accept the self-portait of ME...every day.  I belong here. 

Oh, the joy of living in the self-portrait of freedom.

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As a single traveler, you have to get creative in photo-taking.  Here are some examples--from London to Paris.

Power to the People

There was a bitter February wind whipping around us as my kindred spirit Renee and I ventured to explore the entirety of Our Nation's Capital--Washington, D.C.  Just to be clear: when I say bitter I mean Jack Frost bitter; bitter with a capital B.  

I have explored much of D.C. in earlier days, having lived in Northern Virginia as a child.  As such, I pretty much knew the ropes.  I knew what exhibits to catch at the Smithsonian, how to maneuver the Metro system like a native, and where to stay (K Street is great, located right behind the White House).

In any event--even though we had to brave sub-zero temperatures (OK, maybe not, but it sure felt like it), a Saturday in the middle of winter is a D.C. tourist's delight.  There was absolutely no one around.  While walking around the Capital Reflecting Pool, we encountered--count 'em--two joggers the first night we were there.  The Feds and their staffs clear out of town for the weekend, and leave our national landmarks to those brave enough to venture out.

On Saturday afternoon, after a long morning of hitting the Memorials and Smithsonians, we trudged up Capital Hill for a more intimate view of the Capital building.  Boy, was it intimate--more than I could have even imagined.  We were at the backside of the Capital building (facing the Library of Congress) for about a half and hour, taking photos, admiring architecture, and just being tourist-y.  During that time how many security guards did I see?  Two.  How many security barriers did I cross to get thisclose to the building itself?  None.  Granted, neither of us tried to peer in a window or open the massive front door, but you get the point.  We were allowed to be there.  We were American citizens; and this was our Capital.

Upon seeing the accessibility of a national landmark, I realized: this is what a democracy is all about.  It's about having the access to our national leaders; to those who formulate and implement public policies that have everyday effects on our lives.  If more voters could experience the immediacy of the federal experience, I truly believe they would realize the magnitude effect that their political opinion (regardless of party affiliation) and representative votes can have on the nation itself.

If people could see their school civic lessons in action, they would see how they can make a difference.  That, my friends, would bring true power to the people.

Never The Same Again - thoughts on my first trip to Europe

Have you ever experienced something that changed your life forever? It can be for the good or bad; it’s a moment that enabled you to see God’s hand and/or his sovereignty in a real and powerful way.

I had one of these experiences three years ago, during my first trip to Europe.  I'm coming up on the anniversary of the trip (February 28, 2008), and thought that, in remembrance, I would share that moment.  A moment from which I would never be the same again.

{The Background}  I was in Ireland for spring break with a good friend of mine. I had been so excited for the trip for months…it was a dream come true for me to travel internationally like that. I was in the midst of dealing with a lot of things: finishing up school, getting ready to graduate college, and worrying about where/how I’d end up—wondering what God had planned for me. I was questioning his work. There were so many facets of my life that needed to be wrapped up that he was crowded out by my concerns of the day. I didn’t feel that I could see or feel his hand or his presence. I found myself (foolishly) doubting his sovereignty.

{The Experience}  We had just taken a red-eye flight from Newark, NJ, to Galway International Airport in Ireland. I had slept 15 minutes (maybe) in 30+ hours and was running on adrenaline. I had just gotten a stamp in my passport! I was pumped.

Our first stop was the Cliffs of Moher; towering cliffs on the west coast (facing the US) of Ireland. My friend and I climbed to the top and peered over the edge…I was in absolute awe.

I started crying: I felt God’s power in the wind whipping around me, I saw his love in blessing me with the trip, I was beholding his awesome and perfect creation, and I felt his presence, holding me up. I had never felt all those things at once before. I couldn’t stop smiling through my tears and I knew that God was there with me…present in a perfect moment. Not just here, in the present, but I was confident in his sovereignty—for now, for my past, and for ALWAYS.

{Looking Back}  Whenever I find myself in doubt or feeling discouraged, I take out photos of me at the top of those Cliffs and I am back there again. Cradled in his arms, in full confidence of his plan, and in awe of his power. I know I will never be the same again.  

That was my first (of many) experiences in the awesome ways God has used travel in enrich my life.  I am forever grateful.

In what ways has travel enriched your life?  I'd love to hear about it!