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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 15:03:58 GMT
There's not much more I can add about London that hasn't already been said. The following are some photos I took while I was there for the day. I worked in London for a few years, on and off, so know it quite well. I have many fond memories of this city and it felt good to be back. The photos are mostly of the area that I once worked in. I tried to find the travel agency that I knew so well, but it was no longer there. It was a nice sunny day, and the first thing that struck me was just how busy it was! People seemed to be either running or rushing (or so it seemed to me). Anyway, hope you enjoy the photos So I take the train to London and then an underground tube, and out I step into a lovely sunny day. Having worked in London for some years, I know the train system well and the underground like the back of my hand: I really like the pubs in central London: There are many souvenir stalls on the streets like this one. Prince William and Kate Middleton were getting towards their wedding day and so there were many items with their pictures on. Yes, I bought some trinkets from here too. By the way I found that many who worked in stalls like this one and also food stalls in town were from other parts of Europe, especially Eastern Europe: I'm still trying to figure out what this structure is or signifies? Maybe someone else knows? Just another day for Londoners: Cab anyone? This very long street is called 'The Strand' And this used to be my favorite shop for buying clothes at one time: The Savoy in The Strand:
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 15:04:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 15:05:53 GMT
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Post by mich64 on May 3, 2011 16:08:01 GMT
Enjoying it Deyana!! Thank you for taking your time to put this together, it is interesting to me as I have never been. I have often wanted to go but it seems so busy. How would you compare it to Paris in regards to the pace of people? I enjoy seeing the pictures of monuments, it is always good to be reminded of the service and dedication of people to their country. Looking forward to more? Cheers, Mich
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Post by auntieannie on May 3, 2011 16:18:08 GMT
The pace of London never bothered me when I visited from the continent. Now that I visit it from "the countryside" it feels ever so fast!
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Post by bixaorellana on May 3, 2011 16:24:45 GMT
Nice bunch of pics, Deyana. I really like two of the "homely" ones -- the one with the street sign of St. James Park, Green Park, etc., and the interior of the bus. The photo of the daffodils & trees and the one of the unicorn, big lights, & clouds are both absolutely gorgeous.
Seems as though you had a really good time.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 0:22:19 GMT
Thanks, ladies.
Mich, I found the pace of London to be really way too busy! Funny thing is the times I've worked in London in the past I never saw it that way. But like Annie says, I think it may have something to do with me being used to the country life now, and the contrast between the two. I haven't been in Paris for a few years now, Kerouac and I and Spindrift tired to arrange a meeting there while I was over there, but our different timings didn't work out unfortunately. Maybe next time. I do remember Paris to be quite pleasant though, and didn't notice that I or anyone else was rushing about at all. I don't know if things have changed now?
Bixa, I did have a good time. I did so much in my nearly 4 weeks there. The statues and monuments are just awesome in London, and so many of them. It's such an interesting place.
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Post by mich64 on May 4, 2011 1:26:15 GMT
Perhaps in a few years time I will be able to cope with that type of congestion. Until then I will continue to learn and enjoy from here. I am loving your report and pictures Deyana. Cheers, Mich
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Post by hwinpp on May 4, 2011 4:58:49 GMT
I've always enjoyed going to London. Great pics, D and it looks like the sun shone most of the time. Though I think Big Ben looked different the last time I saw it
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 5:00:25 GMT
Yes, I was a bit bemused by that as well (while very much enjoying the photo report).
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Post by auntieannie on May 4, 2011 9:27:07 GMT
Deyana, I haven't got the time just now to look for the significance of the monument you didn't recognise in one of the first pictures. However, it looks very similar to a mausoleum to a british lord that is found in Geneva along the Quays (opposite the "Jardin Anglais" but near the Hotel d'Angleterre). Maybe the monument in your pic has the same purpose?
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 11:43:51 GMT
Oh that isn't Big Ben? Well lets just call it 'the clock' then. Just goes to show how long it's been since I last really took notice of what is really around me in London. mich, the 'busyness' of London does take some getting used to, for me too. I think it would take me a while to get in to the hang of things again, if I ever went to live there now. Annie, you could be right, I should have gone closer to see what the sign said about it. But there was so many other things to do that day. If you find out what it is, let me know.
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Post by mickthecactus on May 4, 2011 12:45:47 GMT
Deyana, I have a feeling that third picture down is a shrine to Queen Eleanor. When she was taken on the funeral journey they set up a shrine wherever she stopped. There is an identical one at Waltham Cross near to where I live and the area where it is is called Eleanor Cross.
Were you at Charing Cross?
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Post by bjd on May 4, 2011 14:08:39 GMT
Interesting to see your pictures, Deyana. I wandered around the same areas a few years ago after a very long time away from England & London. Of course, it was January, so fewer people in the streets and on Trafalgar Square.
I don't think London is any busier than Paris. All capital or big cities feel busier than smaller cities, or even more so for people living in rural areas. At least, as a tourist you get to wander around at your own pace!
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 15:13:18 GMT
Great photo's of London Deyana!
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 17:14:46 GMT
Mick, so that is a shrine to Queen Eleanor? That's interesting. London is a history book in itself.
Thanks bjd and Rita. bjd, yes I just took my time and let everyone else do the rushing that day!
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Post by patricklondon on May 5, 2011 6:20:41 GMT
Visitors have been remarking on the fast pace of walking in London since at least the thirteenth century, so you're in good company. Yes, your mystery structure is at Charing Cross. It's actually a Victorian re-creation of the original mediaeval cross, which was removed in the civil war period in the seventeenth century. The spot in question was her last resting-place the night before her funeral at Westminster. (It's a rather romantic story for a ruthless warrior king). When Charing Cross station was built, the railway magnate concerned wanted something grand and historical to add a touch of class, so built the replica structure: autolycus-london.blogspot.com/2010/08/lovely-eleanor.html
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2011 19:22:22 GMT
Sorry, mick and Patrick, I forgot to add that structure is by Charing Cross. So now we know what it is and the history behind it. Well done! Thanks for the link.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2011 20:31:28 GMT
As fast as I often walk in Paris (wanting to kick the tourists out of my way), I have found that when I myself am a tourist, I rarely get up to local speed in other cities. I would say that New York and Hong Kong are my exceptions, because it is more a matter of life and death. I haven't been to Tokyo in ages, but probably I would add that city as well if I remembered it better.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 12, 2011 17:20:20 GMT
It's lovely to see your pics of London Deyana...I haven't been for a couple of years...did you get to any of the museums?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2011 23:24:26 GMT
Cheery, I didn't visit any of the museums that particular day. However I have seen most them in the past. I took my kids to see the major ones when we lived in the UK, they really found them interesting.
Did you ever go to any as a kid with the school? I think that was the first time I saw one.
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Post by koloagirl on Jun 30, 2011 7:39:59 GMT
;D
Deyana - lovely photo report - mahalo (thank you) for that! I am going to be able to spend a whole day and a half (?!?) in London on my way back from Paris this September - I'd love to be able to spend more time there since it is someplace I've longed to see for more years than I care to say - but it will have to wait for another trip since this is a "Paris" trip - but I'm going to be making the most of the time I do have there and seeing your photos gives me such a thrill to think that I'll actually be there - I just rec'd my tickets to Buckingham Palace a couple of days ago and also have tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London - so very excited indeed!
I very much enjoyed your photos - I'm going to be one excited tourist!!
"As fast as I often walk in Paris (wanting to kick the tourists out of my way)," - "kerouac2" - please, if you see a woman with long bushy hair and a tan walking slowly in your city in September - please don't kick her...it might be me!! LOL ;D
Malama Pono, Janet
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2011 23:19:57 GMT
Hello koloagirl Thanks, you are very welcome. That sounds exciting, visiting London on the way back from Paris. I'm sure you will have a great time. As both cities are so close, it's the best way to do it. I will be doing another trip to England at some point, but as I'll be leaving for India from the UK (return), I get to see my family and friends again, as well as spending some months in India. (Works out much cheaper this way too). Glad you have fitted Buckingham Palace in there, you mustn't leave without at least seeing this amazing building.
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Post by auntieannie on Jul 2, 2011 15:08:23 GMT
Koloagirl, allow for long queues/delays so you want to arrive in plenty of time.hbut have a wee first and take some water with you. xxx
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Post by SS on Jul 29, 2011 9:40:12 GMT
"Big Ben" is actually St Martin-in-the-Fields, I believe. A very nice church that offers free lunch-time concerts once or twice a week.
SS
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2011 9:47:18 GMT
Thanks for the precision, SS. I was pretty sure that it was, but we don't have enough regular Londoners dropping in to set things straight.
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