EMBANKMENT AND DOCKLANDS MUSEUM
THE EMBANKMENT
When we walked alongside the Thames River or rode along its currents on a boat ride, there was an emphasis on how the Embankment shaped the growth of the city of London. The Embankment follows along the river and allows for humans and man-made institutions to thrive along its banks. Many cities tend to thrive along rivers as rivers serve as one way to allow resources into the city. Rivers make it possible for some degree of self-sustainability for cities and the Embankment and the Thames River are a testament to this when it comes to the building up of London. The Embankment allows for businesses to be lined along the river so when these businesses need goods and services through trade, they are closer to the river allowing for easier access to what is being brought into the city. This allows for the sharing of cultures, goods, and even people from other countries which plays a huge role in London's food culture. Spices from India along with goods and services from other colonized areas, allows London to grow its businesses and lead to an economic boom within the city.
THE BOAT RIDE
The boat ride we went on along the Thames River was an amazing experience as you could see the history of London mesh into a collage of growth with the modern city that we know today. One bridge would look modern and another would seem like it came right out of a history book. London's relationship with the Thames is that it is a source for London's booming businesses and it pushes London to adapt to the course of the river. We can see this in architecture over time as there are buildings along the river's shores that are more reminiscent of older London along with traditionally common city architecture of today such as skyscrapers. The river promotes growth throughout the city and pushes people to come up with new and improved ways to accommodate this major body of water. I do believe along with this constant stream of improvement, London's relationship with the river has changed over time. We can also see this through the Docklands Museum as it shows how England went from a prominent slave economy to England today. The river was at first a natural entity that would force the early city to adapt to its currents and the way it bends however over time, with the improvement of technology, Londoners have found a way to have more of this sort of control over the river and how they build around to use it.
THE DOCKLANDS MUSEUM
The Docklands Museum did London's historical relationship with the Thames River so much justice as it did a great job of transporting me to the different stages of the Docklands. From its use during the time of pirates or the slave trade, it showed how the Thames River has not only impacted London but also many other parts of the world. It was also interesting to see how its importance carried on into World War II, where even in fear of the attacks of other countries, the work to be done along the river was still deemed important and valuable. Hence why workers still were expected to tend to their duties which just shows how valuable the Thames River is.
THE BOAT RIDE CONT.
When on the boat ride, it is interesting to know just how important the river is to London as a whole because at first glance it just looks like another tourist attraction. A fun tour of the river on a boat screams tourists so it can feel as if the significance of the river is lost. However, there are remnants of the value this river holds as you notice the sort of time capsule along its shores. From modern architecture to buildings that still hail from the past. The Docklands gave these observations I made on the boat ride, more context and amplified their significance a lot more.
THE MUSEUM EXHIBITS
One of the highlights of this whole program and experience would be the Docklands Museum. It opened me up to the in-depth history of London and its relationship with trade and traveling over water. I come from a Jamaican family and have heard about the history of British colonization and its impact on Jamaica and it is interesting to get more context on this. From the tastefully made exhibit on the British enslavement of black people and the history of pirates along with interactive games, this museum is one of my favorite museums I have ever been to. It is interesting to also see how British slavery practices greatly differed from American ones which then provides insight into how both countries differ when it comes to race relations today.