When I think of the Tower Bridge I have the creeps in mind. Dungeons, the rack, screw and other torture apparatus. I imagine that the unwitting prisoners were betrayed by the beauty of this magnificent bridge, thinking they were going to the palace as guests of the King. But once I got here, I realized that Tower Bridge and the Tower of London have nothing to do with one another except that they are both in London and within walking distance.
London Tower is fairy tale bridge. It looks like something you might eat at a kid’s birthday party. Built in the 1880s, this bridge is now a symbol of the city, ubiquitous in cinematic establishing shots. It is London’s “How do you do?” to the Empire State Building’s “What up?” The towers bearing the bridge are open to the public for a nominal fee.
Skirts blowing up and trousers flapping in the wind, we all stared doe-eyed at the azure panorama across the Thames River, breathing in the cool air above the city for we had left the infernal pit below! This view was the perfect reward. I had arrived at the bridge mid-day when the heat was boiling hotest and had foolishly taken the cashier’s proposition to walk up the 311 steps! Fear not! There are elevators available.
As I looked out over the Thames, I imagined the ladies and gentlemen of yore boating on the river, staring out on an infinite expanse of grass, where gleaming metallic fortresses now stand. Children frolicking while the adults amused themselves with a bit of society gossip…
Once you have gotten a eye-full of the Thames and delighted in an ice cream – there are many shops around the area – you can walk over to the Tower of London, the most delightful jail I have ever seen. Manicured lawns, tall lush greens, and sturdy buildings. The Tower must have looked quite attractive to the newcomer. I dared visit something they passed off as torture chamber but I was underwhelmed. There was nothing but a few rusty iron pliers that looked like something left over from an old hair curler. The whole place looked more like a retreat.
In fact, the Tower was first intended as a residence until it became a kind of gilded jail for the influential politicians and fellow royals who drew Henry VIII’s ire.
The thing that made the biggest impression on me was the window in the prisoner’s chamber. From the outside it made the palace look respectfully Christian. But the view from within was stark and ominous. Dun dun dun! The rooms have small windows so that at night any sliver of light coming from outside must have frightened whoever was inside. It was a chilling visit but in a fun way because obviously these misadventures are all buried in the past. We, none of us jolly tourists, were in any danger. Everyone indulged in a little scary movie fantasy!
2 comments
April says:
Jul 20, 2011
I didn’t visit the Bridge, but the Tower was one of my favorite things in London. Coming from such a new country, it was mind boggling how old it is and still standing. It was also our first touristy destination.
I was also amused at how close a McDonald’s was to the Tower.
Your posts are making me want to go back so badly. My daughter is a huge Anglophile as well. I’m thinking maybe a trip for a graduation present. That gives me four years to save.
oisercage says:
Jul 20, 2011
Cristina : I’m happy to hear that you liked the post.
April: McDonalds! There’s also a Starbucks so full it’s standing room only.