Westminster Abbey

Not to be missed!

We live within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, just a few steps beyond the Parliament building and Big Ben in Elizabeth Tower. Although we’d visited once before – briefly, to hear an organ recital (amazing!) in December – we’d never had a chance to enter and really explore. So today we bought tickets and (for £10 extra) signed up for a tour guided by a Verger, one of the assistant clergy. Although the church was packed with tourists wandering around with headphones and audio tour guides, our little group of eight enjoyed a personal tour from Alex, a delightful man with an incredible knack for storytelling.

outside view of Westminster Abbey
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#ShutDownSTEM day

A beginning.

Taking the day off from this personal blog, and most of my academic work as well, to reflect – and make plans – in the spirit of today’s #ShutDownSTEM event. If you are not familiar with #ShutDownSTEM or #ShutDownAcademia, please check out shutdownstem.com and this AAAS statement.

I recognize that a one-day pause is, while valuable, not sufficient. At least for me, I see it as an opportunity to plan for future action, not only as a symbolic single day of reflection, but as the beginning of an ongoing effort.