Yes, that's Big Ben and Parliament with Christmas trees behind the iron gates. The London Eye is pretty and if you look close, Big Ben is what I am pointing to in the eye:). And last is the extra long line into Crown Jewels near London Bridge.
History seems to always start with, "in the 12th Century..........." And what is so amazing is standing in the footprint of that time sweeping past 900 years. Crown Jewels was interesting. Did you know all the original jewels and gold were destroyed in civil war 1300's to diminish the monarchy! But jewels, crowns, gold and more recreated and monarchy continues well through today.
So, standing in a 45 minute line to see the Crown Jewels, I became friendly with a Brit family in front of us. They were professional, early 40's with two sons, one 6 and other 12 years old from Birmingham, outside of London. So it was politics, as I was told in my orientations the Brits love the topic. It started with talk of Prince Charles 'will never be king and will go to his son'. They both (the Brit couple in front of us) reported this to me with great regard for monarchy and 'Kate's' soon to be child to be born in April, 2015.
And so the topic switched to higher education in Britian and USA. He said, "It's a shame that higher education in UK is now different than when I was a student, in late '80's. Now everyone can go to university and it's just not right!" "One had to be tested and work very, very hard to be in university. It's just not that way today, and it's not right." He explained now anyone in UK can go to university and yes, UK students have loans through the government. UK Student loans run about 15,000€ and would begin to be paid after the UK graduated student earns 18,000€/year. After 3 years the UK forgives the student loan entirely. (Need to teach this to my classes and push Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts on this idea.)
I reported to my Brit friend the USA student loan social issue- my Brit friends were shocked and bewildered on the idea USA students pay 10 years on student loans average 20,000$ in full, never to be forgiven - with full interest to the government! Shocking, they said!
President Obama next topic- my Brit friend brought up. "Disappointing your president doesn't do much to help you Americans,"he said. My Brit friend wanted me to know, "In UK, the rich can afford everything, poor receive everything, the middle class stuck with the taxes to pay for it all!" We discussed social class changes since USA and Brit recession - interesting, his response was 'revolution!' I will let you interpret the meaning of my Brit friend's response.
We said our goodbyes as we got close to the inside to tour. I shared my business card and they said they may just pay us a proper Chicago visit!
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