A
large open square surrounded by wonderful buildings
including the National Gallery, the National Portrait
Gallery, and the building used as the fictional home
of "Universal Exports" -- James Bond's cover
company in all the 007 films. On a lazy Sunday morning
great clouds of pigeons gather to pick up scraps from
passersby. Admiral Nelson surveys London from his
perch 145 feet above the city. This monument was erected
in 1843 to honor his victories abroad. At the base
of the monument are four sculptures depicting his
battles in Egypt, Denmark, Cape Saint Vincent, and
Trafalgar, where he died in 1805. After the battle
he was placed in a barrel of alcohol and shipped back
to England for burial. That's where we get the expression
"pickled" referring to a drunk person. It's
also the root of the more obscure phrase "Tapping
the Admiral," describing the process of getting
drunk. Nevertheless, the four images were cast from
cannons be brought back to England after his triumphs
in far-off lands. Trafalgar Square is also where the
national Christmas tree is put up each year. It is
an annual gift from Norway to thank England for taking
in their royal family during the second World War.
