We went to Hampton Court Palace to explore the difference in architecture between the original building and the parts that have been knocked down and remodeled. The palace is absolutely beautiful! The entrance has four pillars with large stone statues on the top with armour. My favorite statue was of a unicorn. It had a shield, pretty bad ass. Through the entrance is a long stone driveway that leads up to the grand entrance with more stone statues. The front of the palace was a garish orange color, and our guide explained to us that it was not the original stone, but was in the process of being restored.
Something I learned today: did you know that most statues (you know, all the famous ones you can think of from Rome and whatnot?) were actually painted with bright, overwhelming, usually very ugly colors originally? All the statues that we picture today are plain stone, but were actually once all very colorful! Incredible! But I digress...
Inside the palace was absolutely amazing. The walls were covered in tapestries that, if they were made and bought today, would cost as much as a United States Navy warship. Each. The palace was turned over to Henry VIII, who owned 2,000 tapestries! He was very rich. He was also the king. In case you didn't know.
The walls were painted with ornate and wonderfully detailed murals and in one room there was a digital demonstration of what a tapestry used to look like. It was projected onto a tapestry, and it was amazing to see what it was supposed to look like and what it looks like today.
I love that I am getting to explore so many areas of London through my classes. One thing that I have noticed is that every professor and guide that I have had know SO MUCH about everything that they are talking about. They never need notes or anything. It is incredibly impressive. I have only been here one month and already I have learned so much!
Off to the AP tomorrow, I am excited to see what I get to do next...maybe fashion week!?
Miss you all!
Cheers!
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