London 2012, On A Mission
 

I arrive at my hotel, San Simeon, too early to check in but receive some encouraging news. I am told by the check-in clerk that everyday some guests have gotten up early to go to Olympic Park and have been lucky to get tickets to various venues.

With bags secured, it is back to “The Tube”. About 40 minutes later I am exiting Stratford Station like a cow going on a cattle drive. However, I feel like I am in good company as I am sure there are a few other cows like myself looking to graze the same pasture.

The area around Olympic Park is a little more crowded than expected and that makes my mission a bit more challenging. I cruise through the Westfield Mall, up and down escalators, in and outside of doors, just looking at my dream destination but not being able to get there.

Where are the entrepreneurs that often makes this mission a breeze for me in other cities at similar venues?

With no luck so far, it's time to do some real grazing and I head to a grocery store located on the lower floor of the mall. A wide selection of nicely packaged sandwiches, salads along with other foods and my eyes begin to grow. This is before I get my normal British fix of scones, “biscuits” and chocolate covered “digestives”.

Turn outs this location is a favorite for those wanting an inexpensive meal with fine dining done on the floor just outside the main door. In chatting with another cement floor diner, I discover another tip to accomplishing my mission although I am presently missing the tools required to carry it out. However, this still lifts my spirits.

I rejoin the herd this time headed to Buckingham Palace for a possible afternoon tea with “The Queen”. Although the area around Buckingham is nicely decorated in Olympic flair, the palace itself retains it's sense of royalty as it “properly” should.

I know that the only way I am going to get in is if I can get the guard's attention to show him my fine collection of American tea's that I have brought to share with Her Majesty. I can imagine nothing more royally pleasing than a tall Long Island Ice Tea on a hot afternoon like this or a nice cold glass of the Southern Sweet Tea.

Try as I might, I cannot even get the guard to blink. Like a Toy Soldier, he just looks at me with a blank stare. Guess, I am going to have to drink my Long Island Ice Tea all by myself.


Video:http://youtu.be/QnBdnylQ1Ag

Enjoying London 2012

The day takes an exciting turn as I can hear and feel the energy of The Olympic Games within touching distance. Minutes later, I am entering the grounds of “BT London Live”. BT London Live is a free venue located at Hyde Park that turns out to be a lot of fun. With huge television screens at different locations broadcasting different Olympic events it is almost the best of both worlds. I can enjoy more than one event at a time, with the excitement of different audiences, all for free while maybe a concert is going on in the background.

Watching Men's then Women's Volleyball, I discover one important and fun thing that is missing when watching the games on an American network, the lively and entertaining British commentary. With references to school masters and words like “squared up” and “squeeze out” just listening to the action turns out to be very entertaining.

A light rain begins to fall but it does not last too long and open umbrellas quickly fold. Although the day has been beautiful the evening air begins to take on a chill. Something I gather most of the locals prefer instead of the recent blast of summer heat.

It is not too long a walk from Hyde Park to San Simeon Hotel and the weather makes it a pleasant journey. I am surprised to still find “Red Telephone” booths along the streets and decide to be a pretend customer. In the age of cellphones, I don't imagine they do a brisk business.

I do know one place in London that does well in business, Harrods. Fortunately, they were in the process of closing for the evening as I make my brief visit. I think I saved myself a few quid with my impeccable time. However, I think Her Majesty may favor some American Red Cherries, that I might just spring 40 quid or so for a kilo if only I could get one or two of her guards to wink at me.

Now I have heard about a “hot head” and I have heard about “tooting your own horn” but I never imagined I would come across a hot head tooting his own horn. However, just outside of Kensington South Underground, I do.


Video:http:http://youtu.be/qUvqX_70DQY

Like the Daily Mail said, I name you "Dobbie the Turtle"

Actually, this is a much better write up than the confused meanderings of version 1 and 2. Keep it up, but don't bother the palace guards as they are only doing their job.

biloburgler,

From your pseudo name I thought you had a sense of humor, I guess not :(

Do you really think I brought tea for "Her Majesty"?

don't give up "day job"

Tower,

Unfortunately, I work at night :(

DMBT
I see it more as a nom-de-pun but hey ho

Dobby, bilbo has a great sense of humor. Just go along with him and try not to tangle with the Fodors purists. Just ignore them and keep writing. Love your report so far.

cferrb,

I love people that live in glass houses because you can often easily see through their piety and most times they are not all they crack up to be :(

cferrb...so, are you classifying me as a Fodor purist? That's a laugh...do you recall I was one of the frequent, interested contributors to your major post on L.A. eating. Hardly a purist. I think I have a right to like or dslike this guy's writing, which I find self-seving and most annoying. He's a blog promoter, if nothing else...and funny as a broken leg.
and furthermore....

Tower,

Let the chips fall where they may... Purists don't have to defend their actions or positions :)

I certainly agree that you have the right to like or dislike anything that you choose, however it amazes me that people that dislike something keep coming back for more.

I think there is a syndrome associated with this type of behavior and I think those types of people need help :(

Soon you might find yourself in a shelter or Stockholm :)

So now you've added shrink to you questioable resume'...thanks for the diagnosis...at 83, I don't choose to pay any attention to it. ..and choose to avoid any further posts with your name on it. You are a disgrace to whatever Fodors stands for. I suppose blog peddlers are a new breed of disgusting low lifes...aluminum siding, anyone?

That video is a permanent record of self-delusion. This is the visual equivalent of someone who thinks they are next American Idol and can't hit a note and their fly is open.

Tower,

Somehow, I know you will be back :)

Aduchamp1,

When you get your great art or literary works published can you please send me a link so I can "Like" you on Facebook.

Thanks for reading my many self-delusion posts which I think you really like. For sure these imperfect works of literature and art make your day worthwhile :)

"This is the visual equivalent of someone who thinks they are next American Idol and can't hit a note and their fly is open."

OK, so much for the has-been judges on that program, now how about the contestants?

I nominate Tower and Aduchamp1 as first contestants but first they must have mirrors installed in their dressing rooms and then learn spelling and proper grammar :)

How does that song go.......
"Making friends for the world to see"
Another pickle you've gotten into but as always that is your only intent on this forum. Too bad you have so much to offer......

HT

What did you do with the money? The money your momma gave you for singing lessons :)

Stay focused on the issues. Answer the challenges I made to your assertions that have been proved wrong, again.

However, I am glad to see you keep coming back to read a "useless thread".

Aren't you glad there is something that makes your day worthwhile?

You keep coming back and I think I might just "Like" you on Facebook :)

As always, and you prove the point yet again, a grammar scold usually has nothing to say but wants to say it perfectly.

Aduchamp1,

Were you at the London 2012 Olympics?

What events did you see or participate in? I won Gold in The Grammar 100m race :)

Aduchamp1,

Were you at the London 2012 Olympics?

What events did you see or participate in? I won Gold in The Grammar 100m race
____

I thought you were disqualified because you forgot to take your steroids. (And you have a dangling preposition in one of your sentences. But that's where you're at.)

DMB, you are wasting your time and energy tangling with folks like Adu and Tower. They can and will run circles around you because they are that good, that knowledgeable and that experienced. I would love to read the rest of your trip report, but it's getting awfully tiresome reading you arguing with them.

cferrb,

As mentioned before I will continue to post my travel stories..

People like Adu and Tower don't concern me. As much as they claim to dislike my postings they sure spend a lot of time coming back to read what is posted.

They are only as good and knowledgeable and experienced as they think they are.

Their time would be better spent on more worthwhile endeavors like putting up mirrors or posting their own trip reports that we may all find pure and enjoyable.

Jack The Ripper

Emerging from the bowels of “The Tube” at Tower Hill, my visit to London hits a wall and takes a serious turn. At 6:40pm, I am on the trail of a serial killer in the Whitechapel district of London as a part of an organized walking tour.

It is the late 1800's and this impoverished area of London is under the grip of the worst and most brutal murderer the country has ever seen.

One by one we visit the various murder scenes, from a church where prostitutes circled to pick up customers, to a pub where the media named “Jack The Ripper” and most of his victims drank, we recall the events of those terrible nights.

In all there were believed to be five victims and numerous suspects including a member of the Royal Family. After what is believe to be the last victim of “Jack The Ripper” is killed, a local businessman receives a letter along with pieces of human tissues. In the letter the writer states that it is part of the victim's kidney which he ate and found to be very tasty.

Even today suspicion remains as to the true identity of “Jack The Ripper”. However, our investigation and sources tells us it was a Polish Jew that lived in Whitechapel. One Mr Aaron Kosminski who was committed to an insane asylum in 1891 where he died several days later.

For CSI and Crime Story buffs, a worthwhile tour for a 7 quid donation at the end if you are happy with the experience.


Video:http://youtu.be/WpVPBtDn2qw

What investigation did you do yourself to make you believe that the perpetrator of these hideous crimes was a Polish "Jew"? Why would you single out his religion as if it is of significant which when used in the above context make it sound very bad for people of the Jewish faith?

This is an anti-semitic posting. You haver done no independent research to substaniate this man's claims nor do you do not know this man.

You do not know who and when the grafitti on the wall was written. The words on the wall are not Yiddish or Polish, they were written by someone who was either illiterate or do not know English well. Maybe one of your ancestors.

And as one of the other posters pointed out that neighborhood had many Jewish residents and anti-semitic grafitti was common.

Your insistence on posting this again shows that you have nothing but malicious intent.

Aduschamp1 - I think we should give DMB a break. He recently was in SE Asia and while touring in BKK he was fed a lot lies which he initially believed. Some of the lies and misinformation I, and others, helped corrected but all of DMB's responses at first were not very pleasant. In time he will accept the truth IMO.

Copinesq,

What I wrote is information from recorded history and that was provided on the tour. This is information that can easily be independently verified.

Furthermore, as I wrote:

"Even today suspicion remains as to the true identity of “Jack The Ripper”.

This is no attempt to put down anyone or any religion. Crimes are committed by people of all ethnicity and religions and these actions in of themselves does not brand any particular group or individuals.

Copinesq,

What I wrote is information from recorded history and that was provided on the tour. This is information that can easily be independently verified.
_______
That is such BS and typical of people who hide their prejudice.

You are just repeating what you was told, but even though it is inflammatory, you did nothing to verify it.

Why do you videotape and present this one version of Jack The Ripper, which has been discredited, out of the scores of other theories?

Audchamp1,

I am again surprised why you continue to follow my mudane and useless posting.

You must really, really like me :)

Copinesq,

The only truth to be believed here, is that my postings are my travel experiences and no one is forced to read them or follow along.

All the critics of my postings can write their own postings for others to find pure and maybe enjoyable. Instead, they leech of other's posting to share their views of travel and the world.

I am glad to read their views and criticisms but I take them for what they are, just other opinions that are often different from my own.

Opinions that entertain and sometimes just make me LMAO :)

having read a number of books about it over the years, I'm surprised to read the suggestion that Jack was a polish jew, particularly as the perpetrator appeared to be anti-semitic in the graffiti he wrote.

there are of course many theories; the most common are that he was a prince, the royal doctor, or a freemason.

the unfortunate Mr. Kosminski is a new one on me.

BTW, DMBT, did the leader of your walk know that you were videoing him?

DMB,

I am sure that your blog, the one you advertise at the end of all your videos, does not attract that many followers hence you are posting them on a public forums. This is why, IMO, you are posting multiple threads just for one trip, see the discussion on your other thread "London Bridge..."

Searching the net I even find older blogs that you seem to have abandoned: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/DMB-Traveler/

I sincerely hope that you will retract the "Jew" comment even though you were quoting other people.

Get back to the basic, your simpler reports have always entertain me and I look forward to more. But I do strongly request that you keep them in one thread per one trip so that I can follow along. :)

"particularly as the perpetrator appeared to be anti-semitic in the graffiti he wrote. "

I don't think they even know if the graffiti had anything to do with the murder or whether it was just coincidence. Whitechapel, as we know, had a large jewish population at the time and that graffiti could've been written by any idiot trying to stir up trouble. It's one explanation I have heard for why the police hastily covered it up - to avoid a riot.

Kate - I don't think that there was a terribly effective attempt to cover it up - locals all knew about the murders at the time and people have been discussing it ever since!

i think that the reason for a "cover up" if such there was, was to prevent panic at the thought that a serial killer was on the loose.

It might be best if Fodors "covered" this thread up as well - to avoid a riot!

annhig,

Of course, the tour leader knew I was video taping him. I use a Flip camcorder which is very hard to conceal when you are taking close up facial shots which if you watch the video you can see it includes plenty of them.

Yes, there are many theories concerning "Jack The Ripper". No doubt there were a lot of missteps in the investigation. On the tour as displayed on the video, two other main suspects were also discussed.

It is only the tour leader's conclusion along with some of the other top investigators in the case that Mr. K was the prime suspect. Others have drawn different conclusions for different reasons.

The truth maybe never know but I am convinced the spirit of "Jack The Ripper" still lives on in many unfortunate ways :(

Copinesq,

Again thanks for the critique and researching the internet for my other postings.

FYI, I post a blog because Fodor's is limiting in it's posting options.. no pictures, no video, which can tell the stories themselves. As you might or might not be aware there are many that post here that do the same thing.

This is a free public forum that is available to all for what ever purpose one might chose as long as the forum guidelines are followed.

Unfortunately, the spirit of this forum is often destroyed when comments on threads become personal which seems to happen often if one presents a view different than as one poster commented "The Fodor Purists".

I will continue my postings in the manner I see fit and readers are always free to not read them or follow along. If I stray from the forum guidelines I am sure the moderators will remove whatever comments or posting they deem inappropriate.

How me writing about my travel experiences turns into such a heated debate and firestorm for others is beyond me. I have my theories but nonetheless it is all entertaining.

Thanks for your input :)

BTW, I wikied Mr. Kosminski, and after reciting the evidence for and against, the article concludes that there seems to be no more evidence against him than against any of the other 100 or so suspects.

interestingly, he apparently lived in the area for 3 years after the last ripper murder, before he was incarcerated.

i wonder why he stopped. did your informant explain that?