A Bit of a Riot

My time in London has already been so incredible. We've only been here for three days, but it already seems like we've been here for a week. There is so much to see, enjoy, and experience in such a short amount of time. London has so much to offer.

Today some friends and I were talking on our way back from the London Centre and were talking about all the people who don't view London as a international experience, just an extension of the Notre Dame bubble. Well quite honestly, that is completely false. There are so many cultures represented here in the city. You can walk in Trafalger square and here people speaking different languages and on our walk to school we pass Thai and Sushi restaurants with buildings decked out in multiple languages.

Today we were walking to the London Centre and there were multiple vans of policemen parked outside the building. Their riot shields were hanging on the fence of the building. We later found out that there was a demnostration going on in Trafalger Square protesting Israel's invasion of Gaza and America's support of Israel. Things were pretty mild at first when we walked by, with speakers, and people walking with signs. We went to catch a late lunch at a local pub and do some shopping for a few hours. Later we were walking back to the London Centre and police were blocking streets and in a single line with riot shields. There were police dogs, mounted police, and plenty of vans. There was nothing happening that we saw and the police were extremley nice. We walked a bit further and saw a Starbucks that had cracked windows, broken mugs everywhere, and the inside looked like a tornado went through it. Protestors must of had all come into the shop, turned tables, broke chairs, threw mugs, and smashed the windows. We were in no danger, but it was incredibly eye opening to see this aftermath of this event. On the walk back we thought that it had to be because Starbucks is a representation of America in some ways. I just have never seen a demonstration like the one that took place and the craziness it created.

So far this has been an incredible experience and I am so blessed and lucky to be here.