Like a Tourist

16^th April 2011

There are many things we are yet to experience in the UK capital. These are things that we have missed out on for the simple reason we live here and never got the time to see them. These are things I like to call missing out on as you are ‘living like a local’. One of these events was to go see the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. The other is go on a free walking tour. I always wonder how many people who were born in London or for that fact the UK have actually been to see the changing of the guard as a tourist does. The same thought crossed my mind for a free w    alking tour. Have you walked around your home town as a tourist would? Do you know all the history of your home town so well that you could run a walking tour?

This is what we did with our Saturday. We headed off with a bag of supplies and camera in hand we fell back in to the tourist crowd. I even wore my walking shoes to blend in. We battled with the crowds at the palace gates as we tried to get a good spot and have people weasel their way in front of me to get a good spot. Kieran had the pleasure previously seeing the changing of the guard and on a weekday when the crowds are less. We found the best place we could get and I had no heads in front of me but still had some nice bars in the photos.

What can you say about the changing of the guard?? Not much except that you should go do it if you are in London. Sure its there for the tourists and at times there are interesting parts although for the most of it, it’s a lot of standing around and waiting then at times getting angry at the people around. This does sound negative but if I didn’t go I know I would have felt odd when people were like “so when you were in the UK did you see the changing of the guard and do you recommend it?” I would have to be honest and then look like a fool who did nothing in 5 years!.

So there just go see it, enjoy the music, live in the moment of the crowd like your in a mosh pit!

The free walking tour is also recommend, we did it through http://www.newlondon-tours.com/ and it is totally recommend. Having used these guys before it is a really neat idea and think they would work everywhere. It was good to get some history and have a laugh along the way.

Totally a tops day our and I recommend to everyone who hasn’t see their city through the eyes of a tourist....your missing out!