Act like a Tourist in London

"Are you a tourist?" The young woman appeared out of nowhere, smiling, pen and paper in hand. I told her I was. She was taking a survey, but I didn't meet the qualifications she needed, so she moved on. A lingering question remained, though.

How did she know I was a tourist?

I was in the company of a London native and doing my best to emulate and act the part, I thought. But another friend told me later I was pegged because I was looking up at the famous clock and other magnificent buildings - just like a tourist.

Oh great - but guilty. Of course, it would be more of a crime not to look around in a city steeped in history. There is Westminster Abbey, a prime example of medieval architecture and resting place not only of British monarchs, but literary greats, such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Jane Austen.

Speaking of crimes, The Tower of London, started by William the Conqueror in the 1080s, imprisoned hundreds, possibly thousands of people, including Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded in 1536 after being found guilty of treason, adultery and incest. Anne Boleyn Day, an annual event held May 19 (the date she was beheaded), honors her memory, with roses being delivered to her final resting place. This year's event is booked up, but there's always next year.

Upon admission (about 17 pounds) to the Tower of London, a Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater, clad in red and navy blue uniform will guide you through the tower, although a self-guided tour is an option. It's much more fun, though, to listen to the tales of traitors and treacheries from the Beefeaters, especially since they've all served in the armed forces with an honorable record for at least 22 years, and like to make jokes.

The tour includes the White Tower, which has four turrets, the Crown Jewels, which are under armed guard in the Jewel House, the Tower Green, where executions took place, and tower graffiti, where prisoners carved their names into the walls. Legend has it that the Tower of London will fall down if the black ravens that flock on the grounds leave; thankfully there were quite a few around when I visited.

The British Museum is Britain's largest, covering 13.5 acres and is a choice destination for over 6 million visitors a year. It was London's first public museum, opening its doors in January 1759, the brainchild of Sir Hans Sloane, who died in 1753. A physician and avid collector of books, coins and minerals, Sir Hans Sloane suggested that the government buy all 80,000 pieces he'd collected, which they did.

Today, more than 4 million objects are housed there, including the Rosetta Stone, dating from the Ptolemaic Period, 196 BC. This tablet of black rock called granodiorite, was discovered in Egypt in 1799, and led to the decipherment of hieroglyphic writing, which had faded away in the 4th century AD.

Cameras are allowed in the museum, and even as a fire alarm sounded, visitors snapped photos of the Rosetta Stone, as mildly harried staff members ushered visitors to the door. Since there were no visible signs of smoke or fire, we were a slow moving bunch (trying to herd a bunch of cats came to mind), but we got outside and were allowed back in after 15 minutes.

Admission to the museum is free, although donations are accepted and there may be charges for special exhibitions.