I Am the Guy that Accompanied Shelley Smith on Her Tour of London

When John Kennedy became president he was like a rock star. The entire world wanted to get a glimpse of the bright, young, good looking, first Catholic president. But on one of his first trips abroad - Jackie went along with him to France. Jackie could speak fluent French and crowds gushed to see and hear her. At first it seemed that JFK was a little jealous of being upstaged - but later he went with the flow and opened his speech with, "I am the guy that accompanied Jackie Kennedy to Paris."

Shelley Smith is my son's sister-in-law. She is tall, pretty, bright, and funny - and we had a nice day touring London yesterday. Shelley is a veterinarian and had a few days off - so she flew to London to spend time with Kim - one of her schoolmates. Kim works over here with horses. Kim was working so Shelley asked if I could take her on a grand tour - but try to keep the cost down.

At 10 AM - we met at the Tube station. After two weeks of marvelous weather - the London skies were starting to act normal.

First - we walked to the British Museum with a short stop to see the FSU campus. The British Museum was crowded - probably most of the visitors were trying to avoid the rain. We went directly to some of the highlights - the Rosetta Stone - the Parthenon from Athens - and Cleopatra's Mummy.

Next we took the Tube to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum as it started to rain harder. Eerie because there was a wreath on the Tube Station honoring the anniversary of the Terrorist Bombing that happened at that station. We got to the Wax Museum on Baker Street - and the line to enter extended around the block. We thought they were offering some sort of deal but the sign said 25 pounds ($40). This did not fit into our time or money budget - so we passed it up and went to Regents Park to see the beautiful rose gardens. The skies were agreeable as the sun came out and the roses glistened.

After walking by the Sherlock Holmes Museum (obvious tourist trap) - we stopped for lunch. Just as we entered the restaurant - it started to rain hard. When lunch was over the rain let up a bit and we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Two things fit the bill - the admission was free and it had its own underground subway entrance. After seeing some of Rafael's giant paintings and other things - we left hardly scratching the surface of that building. We had miles to go before the Big Ben struck 5 and Shelley would meet Kim and I rode the pumpkin home carriage home.

Although it was raining - we had to weather it to visit the at Buckingham Palace. We took the required pictures and marveled at the long line of people dressed to the nines going to see the queen. Many were in top hat and tails - and getting rained on just like us. I asked one fellow what was the big deal - he said in his stilted proper English, "We're invited to a card party." I wondered if he was going to play strip poker with Camilla Parker Boles. I noticed his card was wet.

It was getting late - and we arrived at St. Paul's Cathedral hoping to enjoy a guided tour before closing time. Alas - we got there at 4:05 - and the last tour started at 4. We were lucky enough to find an open door and we went inside - sat down - and marveled at the main sanctuary. After 20 minutes of that - I exclaimed, "How about that beer you offered?" Shelley sprung up and of we went to find a pub - which stands for public house.

We found the "Ye Old Tavern" and bellied up to the bar with maybe 15 taps lined up in front of us. We had a couple of pints of Fosters - and gabbed away with the bar tender. He said Shakespeare used to drink at this bar. He asked me what I thought of London - I said I loved it. He said the lawyers from Justice next door were cheap - always bargaining for beer and burgers. He said Americans are generous - I think he was working me for a tip.

We drank until 5 PM - then Kim came from work. I was expecting someone in office garb - but Kim had on jeans and looked quite normal. It would have been rude to leave without sharing another pint with her. After a couple of pints of Fosters - even my same old stories seemed interesting - or at least they listened and laughed.

Soon it was time to go - I felt a bit like a guard keeping the young guys away from these two pretty girls (I know - women - but when you are 60 - and you are with women less than half your age - they look like girls).

As I walked out of the bar - dodging the raindrops - toward my tube stop - I wondered if Shakespeare ever shared a pint there with two - pretty - young - lady - horse doctors. I just did. And it was a very nice end to a rainy day.

PICTURES -
End of Tour at Pub with Kim and Shelley
Saint Paul's Cathedral - closing time
Statue at V&A Museum
Shelley at Buckingham Palace
Shelley with body casts at V&A Museum
The Rose of Regent's Park
Cleopatra's Mummy - she was only 17.
The British Museum.
The Rosetta Stone is behind glass now.
British Museum down street from our flat.