Guy Fawkes Day

Today I headed to the west end and saw Billy Elliot - a new musical that turned out to be a story about a boy in Northern England in the early 20th century who, in the midst of political turmoil in his home town, decides he wants to be a ballet dancer. I woudn't put it at the top of the list as one of the classics, but it was still very entertaining.

And the Princess Theater was really amazing.

Tonight I joined all of England in celebrating Guy Fawkes night which markes the downfall of a plot in 1605 by a group of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, to blow up the houses of parliament.

They celebrate with huge bon fires, always topped by a stuffed efigy of Guy Fawkes, carnivals and fireworks.

The fireworks were really spectacular. I was really impressed. They had some I had never seen before which was fun. It wasn't quite like fourth of july. It was freezing and instead of Neil Diamond singing Born in the USA, they were set to the Beatles and such. Good but very different.

From there I went to enjoy the carnival. It was a pretty classic carnival, with all the cheezy rides, unwinnable games and fatty food. It just didn't feel right to be there in the freezing cold.

I did find this ride which was amazing. Basically I am hooked into one of those chairs and that arm flips all the way around so you are going around and upside down and all over the place.

I definitly enjoyed myself.

This is one of my favorites during the second round of fireworks. Also very impressive but I thought it was interesting that during the whole show, in between different songs they played bits of the recording of the landing of the first man on the moon. I really enjoyed it but I thought it was a little unpatriotic for them...

It was really fun to celebrate something so classically British.