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rbccstmrtn

rbccstmrtn


Recent entries

Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

At the Top of the Arch

I would have never noticed unless a little girl pointed out to her dad: “Look at the shadow!”

over 5 years ago

Dallas, Dallas County

Too Hot, Too White

I don’t know…I just didn’t get a very good sense of community here.

over 5 years ago

Hyde Park, City of Westminster

Skip Church and Visit on Sunday Mornings

This is one of the most fascinating places I’ve been. All kinds of different people (many fanatics around their own particular cause) go to “speak their mind.” This is the location where Englanders are encouraged to express their freedom of speech. And they do! Seems like every topic was controversial or argumentative: politics, religion, philosophy. Some speakers stand alone and chant out their ideas while others draw crowds. Lots of colorful complaining happens here. Great for people watching.

I understand there to be 3 rules in the park for speaking:

1. Must Be One Foot Above English Soil. This is apparently where we get the idiom “getting on or off one’s soapbox” since standing on a crate used for transporting soap will ensure you are one foot above ground and that you are, therefore, not “in the country.” I saw many people who used other things: ladders, chairs, etc. So folks still abide by this rule today.

2. No Swearing. Bickering and taunting and crass or witty remarks seem to be acceptable.

3. No Defamatory Comments about the Royal Family. This one surprised me. I can imagine plenty of people saying (when the Royal Family was still in power, of course) “Sheesh! What’s the point then?” I mean, what if we [Americans] couldn’t complain about the President of the United States?

If you’re ever in London, Hyde Park is a MUSTSEE. If you are courageous, bring a crate.

over 5 years ago
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