Today I had my third interview (only one scheduled for today and this time in the actual Parliament building!). It was with my one Conservative MP, Andrew Turner. I think it went well, but he was more vague than the others and harder to follow. I did my best to press him on things, but he would start a sentence and then go off in another direction which was confusing. Oh well, I still think I got interesting information. His assistant was really nice. Since I got there early (I'm still me, even in London) he took me on a bit of a tour of Parliament-the places that aren't open to the public. He took me over Portcullis House which is where many of their offices are (I pretended that I hadn't been there twice yesterday) and by the Speakers House--yep, the speaker lives in Parliament. The best part was he took me to the terrace along the river where the MPs eat lunch and stuff. It was so special that even with his badge, he was only allowed there for two minutes! No sightings of David Cameron or Nick Clegg, but not to worry, Clegg should be at the committee meeting I am going to on Thursday! By the way, I was just thinking, it is so much fun to walk in and have security stop you and just say,
"I'm here to see (fill in the blank MP)"-makes one feel quite special actually.
Since my interview wasn't until 3:30, I decided to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. So I left my hotel and got on the Bakerloo tube line. Almost immediately the conductor came on the loudspeaker to tell us there was a delay up ahead. So we waiting awhile before going one stop. Then we were going to have to wait for an undefined period of time. I decided to get off and switch lines, but the stop I was at was a pain in that the Bakerloo was in one location and the other lines were in a totally different station (same name) that wasn't even connected. So, a rather helpful British woman and I got a bit lost somewhere in London before finally getting the tube. I decided to get off at Green's Park (I think that is the name) because it was closest to the Palace. But I wasn't really sure how to get to the palace-I used a combination of guesswork and a map to find my way. I was no longer as early as I had hoped, but I got a spot on the Fountain steps with a decent view. I hate to admit it, but Professor Schousen was right-it was a big disappointment. I thought that the band would make up for any boring parts of the rest of it, but they were small enough that it was hard to hear them at times. And what I was most looking forward to was their rendition of God Save the Queen, but I never heard it! I don't see how I could have missed it because I was listening intently for just that, but it also seems like they must have played it. Anyway, I'm glad I did it because it's something a tourist/researcher should do, but I'm not sure it was worth the pain in my feet the remainder of the day!
There were two other minor issues today-I'm learning that in London there is always something! The guy at the front desk of my hotel was different today and it was great because this guy actually understood the phrase customer service! He moved me to another room with no trouble (they even moved my bags for me while I was away during the day). Unfortunately, when I got there, wireless wouldn't work there either! I think now I am too far away from the lobby in the upwards direction (on what is labeled the 3rd floor, but is really the fourth). So they gave me my money back again and I'm at McDonald's...again. The other thing was just as I was going into Parliament, the strap on my bag broke so I had to get a new bag on my way home. That was a pain (literally as well as figuratively)!
Oh well! Despite my hotel and apparel issues, it's still great to be in London! Everyday I am so grateful that at F&M I get an awesome opportunity like this! I'm also glad that my interviews are going well. And being aboard gives me a great sense of independence and self-sufficiency. Don't get me wrong, I miss my family and friends, but it is always nice to realize I can do something like this and survive all the hiccups and just make things work.
Cheers!
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