Time starts here

Friday was a day of education. We started off at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. This is where the problem of maritime navigation was largely solved. From this observatory, the constellations were meticulously recorded and mapped for mariners to use in determining longitude. The prime meridian, 0 degrees longitude, runs right through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. We actually stood over the prime meridian with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one foot in the western hemisphere! This is also where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or Zulu time for my militry friends, starts. The museum was packed with astrology and chronography history and exhibits.

Our next stop of the day was the Natural History Museum. We were awestruck by the building as we were approaching it from the underground system. The first picture is of the inside of the Museum. We spent several hours exploring interactive exhibits and enjoying the diversity of so many collections. After the museum, we went in search of the ultimate English meal- fish and chips! We found it at the Cambridge Pub and Restaurant. The green stuff next to the fish and chips is mashed green peas. I thought it was yummy, but Alexis was not impressed! Andy ate "sausage & mash" which was large breakfast sausages over mashed potatos swimming in a brown gravy. Not to worry, parents of my travel companions, that beer next to the plate is mine!

It's amazing how easily we skoot around this city. Andy had the underground (subway) system figured out as soon as we got on it. Alexis is getting more confident by the day on getting us from point A to point B and has a really good sense of direction. Hostel living isn't always conducive to a good nights sleep, but both of them have been enjoying everything about this adventure. It's been great watching them start to recognize and appreciate the differences between here and the U.S. I don't think either one of them will ever take water for granted again- there are no public water fountains, and pretty much no free water. If you want it, you have to pay a good bit for bottled water (tap water is mostly safe, but tastes aweful).

Today we leave London. We're taking a train down to the harbor town of Portsmouth and taking an overnight ferry across the English channel to Caen. My next post should be from France!