Sari Kiz

By sarikiz

A Monument to...Naughtiness

This shot is more symbolic to this blip story than you think, but first of all here are some factoids.

- This is Monument and was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the City. It's located at the bottom of Pudding Lane where the fire began in a baker's house.

- The gold thing on the top represents the flames, but originally Christopher Wren (him again) wanted a 15-foot-tall statue of King Charles II, but old Charlie didn't want anyone to think he was anything to do with the fire so they chose a flaming gilt-bronze urn instead. ?Nofink to do with me? he said apparently.

- In a move that would have made Rev Ian Paisley proud, there used to be an extra message chiselled on the base blaming the Catholics for the fire 'twas a veritable Popish frenzy?, but was scrubbed out in 1831 in an early example of political correctness when Catholics were given civil rights.

- Every time I walk past Monument, I think of a Turkish friend of mine. This friend came to stay a few years ago and brought her new boyfriend with her. On a touristy tour of London, they went up to the top of the Monument where she welcomed him to London by doing a very naughty thing to/on him. Dear Blippers, I can tell you are shocked by this, but what is the reason for your astonishment?

Choose from the following options:You are shocked because -

A: How could a good Muslim girl, of noble Ottoman stock, do such a naughty thing in a public place? [you have obviously not met N]

B: It could not have been a very satisfactory event for either party given that at any moment, a camera wielding tourist could have appeared at the top of the stairs.

C: I have a friend.

Answers on a postcard to: Monument Visitor Experience, The City, London

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