Jubilee-ation

This weekend included thousands of Union Jack flags, punch bowls full of Pimms and more than a few Victoria sponge cakes. The nation was celebrating the Queen's 60 year rule and it truly was amazing to see the patriotism. From kids with their faces painted red and blue; young adults with Union Jack tights and silly hats; to the cute 70 year old couple I saw on the tube, properly dressed as if they were going to church but donned in blue and red.

Sadly, I'm sure the last time I saw this sort of patriotism was after 9/11. Now the only patriotism we typically see (US or otherwise) is usually to a sports team. Even thinking about the UK just last summer - where the divide between rich and poor caused the absolute opposite of patriotism as teens set local stores on flames and pillaged everything inside. That was quite the opposite of patriotism and a very different scene than this weekend.

I digress. But the point is this: patriotism is a beautiful thing to experience and be part of.

So to celebrate the UK, I partied with Kiwis and fellow Americans:

Nah, there were a few token Brits to even things out.

My friend Michelle and her brother Jacques threw a party Jubilee-style in their gorgeous garden (Brit speak for back yard or patio).

Brits brought the Pimms...

...Americans brought the s'mores.

Sunday I joined my colleague Scott and others we work with at his flat at London Bridge. His balcony overlooks the Thames, which was amazing given it was pissing down rain all day. We learned that (like the royal wedding) folks had camped out the night before along the Thames to get a 'front row seat' to view the 'flotilla'/parade of ships. And front row seat does not mean there is a chance the queen would shake your hand - remember she's on a boat! Front row seat doesn't even guarantee that you will see her without binoculars...? And not only was it pissing on Sunday, but Saturday was pretty awful as well. And it was cold. These people had to be hard core queen lovers, given they were most definitely drenched and freezing.

But I was nice and toasty in Scott's flat with more Pimms and plenty of food. We piled onto his balcony as the ships went by, watching people all along the riverbank and the bridges wave their Union Jack flags, cheer and try to get a glimpse of the queen. It was an impressive parade. Here are a few pics:

 

The boats that preceded the queen's ship represented all of the Commonwealth countries. 

Here comes the queen...

 Kate in red, Will with the blue sash, the queen in white.