I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the House of Commons to attend the launch of my…read moreaunt's book. She's spent years researching the history of Catholic Goans and essentially mapped out the forces that led to the spread of Goans throughout most of Europe and Africa (and most notably out of Goa). Apparently, one of the MPs is a Goan and a big supporter of her work. To be honest, when I first read the book title (Colonialism, Migration, and the International Catholic Goan Community) I wasn't really drawn in but after hearing the speakers about the book I can't wait to read it. Anyways, enough of a plug, to the House! We've all seen Westminster Palace from the outside (and if you haven't, get over there!) but I gotta tell you, it doesn't really measure up to the feeling you get when you enter the cavernous halls with golden walls and arches (the old school Church kind, not the Mickey D's version) and ancient oil paintings of kings, lords, ladies, and other lesser beings. The entrance hall alone (where they hold State receptions that you see on tv) seems to dwarf the Turbine Hall in the Tate Modern and is infinitely more luxurious. The Jubilee Room (located just up the stairs to the right of the entrance) is suitably decadently decorated (and the free flowing wine helped with that impression). It's fairly small, but you can see it works well as a private reception room or committee meeting room. Every room has two mini tvs (one for the House of Lords and one for the House of Commons) which keeps people apprised of the current happenings in each of the two Houses. We even got a tour up to the House of Commons to see them in session. To be fair, it was late and they were talking about a Finance Bill (which I can't imagine to be that exciting), but given that it's their jobs I expected more than a handful of MPs to be there and those that were there to not be taking a nap. Credit to the lady MP from Kingston upon Hull who kept at her speech regardless but it was a bit of a let down. I would have loved to have been there for PMQs though! Overall, it's a beautiful place and makes me want to be an MP just to go to work there. I'm not one for sightseeing and I've been known to jog through a museum or two, but as far as sights to see goes, this one is a must for London.

The home of British democracy! Did you know you can just turn up, for free, and get into the…read moredebating chamber? You are behind toughened glass to prevent you throwing flour or anything more dangerous at the UK's elected representatives, but you're still super close to MPs and Ministers. Where else in the world can you get access to such an old and historic building for free, and then get to see real politics in action?

The entry for debates in the House of Lords, is at the far end (almost at the park next door)…read more Do budget at least 10 minutes for a security scanning. The staff are all very polite and helpful, but taking off jackets and belts and putting them on again takes time and there is normally a rush of people before a scheduled debate. The room we were in was beautiful and cosy. Good acoustics, so as long as speakers enunciate clearly at slightly louder than conversation volume, its easy to follow the proceedings. This was a great experience.

Wow, this is an amazing treat in London. To first walk through the historic halls and see some…read morebeautiful paintings, fixtures and design then walk onto a veranda that overlooks the River Thames. Jaw-dropping. My friend who works for the House of Lords invited me to lunch and while I can say the food was a modest experience. Cafeteria style and very inexpensive but not bad at all. Honestly one doesn't go for the food, it's more about the location and this is one fabulous place. How fabulous you ask, well the House of Lords is where her majesty the Queen gives her speeches. Now that's pretty damn British y'all and this American Southerner living in London loved every minute of it. If you have the opportunity, GO. There are areas open to the general public but be careful there's lots of places you cannot take photos. :)

Oh I think she's a wonderful personality and I could watch youtube videos of her for hours on end…read more In 1998, I sent her a portrait drawing of herself (which was pretty good considering I've had no art training) in a rotten old jiffybag. I was surprised when it came back rolled up in a tube with a letter from her secretary and a signed photograph. A lot of the manufacturing went overseas but I think that was starting to happen anyway before she took over. She transformed Britain from 'The Sick Man of Europe' into the world's fourth largest economy. She was bang on about Britain staying out of the Euro currency zone and it was her venom at the end of her premiership that I think has echoed with successive prime ministers. Okay, so a lot of soldiers died in the Falklands war but Blair wouldn't have lifted a finger to protect British citizens from the Argentines and more British soldiers have died in the Middle East. I liked the Thatcher government's response to the AIDS crisis and its strong advertising about condoms advice that has probably saved my life. I do not like bitchy, bullying people but I do not see Thatcher as that at all. I positively like her. The people I've got sympathy for are the passengers on Pan Am Flight 103 who were blown out of the sky and then had the culprit released by the Labour government. It's the Blairs I'll be celebrating the death of!