Yesterday's destination was to St. Paul's Library inside St. Paul's Cathedral. We took the tube to St. Paul station and made our way around to the front of the cathedral. A cathedral dedicated to St. Paul has stood on the site since 604 A.D. The current design is the fourth and was built between 1675 and 1710.Our guide for the tour was an adorable Englishman named Joe Wisdom (quite appropriate for he knew his stuff). He took us behind the locked doors of St. Paul's where our first stop was to stare up in awe at the winding stone staircase (the very same one used in the Harry Potter movie), complete with a rod iron banister.
"Onwards and upwards," Mr. Wisdom said as we mounted the 94 stairs to the top. Though walking up those 94 steps was exhausting and dizzying, it wasn't as treacherous as walking down! I had to really concentrate on my footing for fear of tumbling down them all!
At the top of the staircase, we were given a tour of a room where The Great Model is housed. Built by Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, The Great Model is a wooden model of Wren's original design of the cathedral. Also displayed in the room are architectural designs of St. Paul's.
Next, we made our way to the library. Upon my first look, I was in awe. It made me think of the library in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, though it was only two floors and not as extravagant, but just as lovely. A wooden balcony separated the wall to wall bookcases into two floors and tables on the ground floor were littered with books, artifacts, busts, and At the top of the staircase, we were given a tour of a room where The Great Model is housed. Built by Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, The Great Model is a wooden model of Wren's original design of the cathedral. Also displayed in the room are architectural designs of St. Paul's.
preservation tools. It was breathtaking to step over the threshold and see centuries old books everywhere. It was amazing. I could have been in that room all day. Over 33,000 books lined the walls and filled the spaces in between. Mr. Wisdom was a very knowledgeable and gracious host and by the end I wanted to put him in my pocket and carry him around with me! I enjoyed his commentary immensely. Later that evening, we had a welcome reception at the college's chapel. The president of the University of Texas-Tyler and the chaplain gave a speech welcoming us to London and encouraging us to make the most of our time here. After the addresses, we went to a banquet hall for finger food's and wine (or in my case, apple juice). It was very nice and... well, welcoming. 
Until next time.
Library photo from http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History
Beauty and the Beast library photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/9506901@N08/1695806958/
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