While I was studying abroad, our group of students was given the opportunity to tour inside the Houses of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London. This day was very exciting because not many people get the chance to go behind the scenes and see inside such an historic and famous place. When we arrived, I remember there was a lot of visible security guards and many cameras facing everywhere. We went through security and got our picture taken for our visitor passes we wore around our necks. We were taken into the House of Lords after walking right where Queen Elisabeth walked just about a week earlier to open up Parliament. I could not get over all of the detail on the walls and ceilings; everything was there for a reason and important. The House of Lords had red benches and seeing the Queen’s thorn was amazing. The entire chair is gold and so detailed it is like nothing else. There were a few big red flat cushioned benches where some the Lords sit to revise and initiate legislation. The paintings of past Kings, Queens, and other significant figures in British history were amazing and huge. As we walked through the House of Commons it was really cool to stand at the podium where the Prime Minister of England stands for debates and speeches. The House of Commons had green benches where over 600 democratically elected Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to debate and make laws. There was a red line on each side of the House of Commons in front of the benches. It was so cool to learn that the space between the two red lines is exactly the length of two swords; back then when MPs would argue they would both draw their swords from each side of the benches and their sword's tips would just touch. When Parliamentarians signal they want to speak by standing up; it is called “catching the speakers eye”. We were not allowed to take any pictures inside the Houses of Parliament but I took many mental pictures that I will remember for years to come. This was an amazing behind the scenes experience, I recommend you try to go see the Palace of Westminster because you will not see anything like that anywhere else.
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