Chargers will travel from the university’s Tuscany campus to London, pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Brenig Johnson, 26, and Noah Eyet, 25, were on a picnic to study at the university’s campus in Prato, Italy during their semester in Florence when they heard gasps from people around them. At first they didn’t know what was happening, but a few minutes later, they got a notification on their phone: Queen Elizabeth II is dead.

Yot immediately wanted to travel to the UK to pay his respects to the Queen. Being a part of the “historic and once in a lifetime” event was also important to him.

“We will never see another queen again in our lifetime,” said Iott, a business management major. Considering how long she ruled, we only stayed in Prato for three months, and she ruled for over 800 months, there was a very small chance that we would be in Prato when she died.

Two of the people we met were former royal guards

Iott and Johnson make a surprise trip to London while the Queen lies in state. Not knowing how long they would be staying, they only booked one-way flights, and hotel bookings became a challenge as they didn’t know how long they would have to wait in line to get into Westminster Abbey. They heard that they would have to wait in line for over 25 hours, but they were ready.

After leaving the airport, they boarded a train for the 45-minute journey to Westminster Abbey – if they were traveling. Then they realized they weren’t where they wanted to be, as they were told, the line started at Tower Bridge, an hour’s walk in their direction. On that walk, they saw how many people were waiting to say goodbye to the Queen.

“There were screens and posters commemorating the Queen everywhere,” says Johnson, head of music and sound recording. “We saw the Queen’s street art. Everyone took time to show their appreciation.

“There was definitely a sense of unity among the people there,” added Iott. When we arrived everyone was very polite and respectful to the Queen. A lot of things were different – the lights of the London Eye were off to show respect.

Johnson and Iott get behind the line. It was a cold and gray day in London. Although it wasn’t raining, the temperature was only in the 50s. Because it’s 40 degrees colder than they left in Italy, Johnson said he had to buy new clothes. But the discomfort of being out in the cold is offset by the people you find waiting.

“We made some new friends,” Johnson said. They were very friendly too. We met people who gave us food and water and they gave us stories. Two of the people we met were former royal guards, and we heard what that was like and how he interacted with the Queen.

‘It felt very personal’

Because their trip was impromptu, Johnson and Iot didn’t pack enough food to last long outside. Fortunately, their new friends were prepared and happy to share what they brought. They brought a bag full of food and gave them sandwiches, snacks and water.

“They definitely welcomed us with open arms,” ​​Iott said. “They really took us under their wing, for which we were very grateful. We were walking along the river and seeing all the beautiful places of London. Although we did not know the history of all of them, we were standing with two ex-royal guards. They served Queen Elizabeth, and they told us all about the history of London, and that was a beautiful thing.

About nine o’clock Johnson and Iott entered Westminster Abbey. Because they had their luggage, security took away most of their toiletries. But they went in and saw the queen lying in her state, and both were moved by what they saw.

“I think it was really exciting to be able to go into Westminster Abbey and see the Queen after waiting all that time,” Iott said. “Everyone paid their respects in their own way, which definitely made it more personal. Some would stand before the Queen without bowing, and you could feel the connection. Everyone had their own feelings connected to her.”

“There was absolute silence in the hall, and I think that was the most interesting part,” Johnson said. “People would go up, and bow and walk. I thought it was interesting that people worshiped in different ways. Some put their hands over their hearts. People were flocking in their clothes. It felt very personal. “

“Two very different experiences in one weekend.”

Despite being out in the cold for nine hours, Iott and Johnson said they were lucky to make the trip. They were later told they could wait more than 30 hours, and later learned that many mourners had to wait longer than they expected. Some had to wait just to get in line, what Ayot described as “queuing for queuing.”

After leaving Westminster Abbey, they realized they had checked into their hotel on the wrong day, and realized they had no room. They left Westminster Abbey after 2:00 a.m. They said everywhere was closed except for McDonald’s.When they finally found a hotel, they still had no toiletries. But they took it all in stride.

“What I learned the most from the trip is how much you can learn when you exercise your freedom and say you have to know everything or you’re not going to succeed,” Johnson said. “I had to know trains, buses and planes and I had to learn everything on the fly. It felt like a learning experience.”

Johnson and Iott spent the next day exploring London and bringing back their supplies. They then spent a full day there before taking a short flight to Dublin. With no itinerary, they had some time to relax and enjoy what the city had to offer. They were both surprised at how different the atmosphere was from what they had seen in London. They described loud music, lively and bustling pubs, and even street protests.

“Ireland was more relaxed,” Johnson said. “We had two very different experiences in one weekend – one very stressful and rewarding and one more relaxed and freeing.”

“I think Ireland was the opposite of London,” added Iott. “This tragedy in London, buildings are closed, and you can understand and feel that it means a lot. No music was playing, and everything was faint and low. That was the difference when we got to Ireland.

I saw the only queen in my life sleeping

Now back at the university’s campus in Prato, Italy, where they are studying for the semester, Johnson and Eyet are grateful for their experience in London. They were already in Europe and excited about the opportunity to make the trip. They are grateful to be observed and to be part of an important moment in history.

“It taught me a lot about the culture in the UK,” Ayotte said. Standing in line and talking to people who have lived there all their lives and the royal guards who have worked with her is significant. The culture has taught us a lot. It was an amazing experience,” he said.

“It’s definitely a story to tell, and every time people hear it, there’s that ‘wow’ thing at first,” Johnson added. “It is a great thing to be a part of such a historic event. Thinking on the road, telling my children that I had seen the only queen in my life lying in state and the crown jewels. Seeing all that and taking in the parade culture – everything made it a perfect trip.