People, Places: Raison d’être

London calling

but not so long this time.

London was the first European city I ever visited. I was there with my sister for a week during spring break in 1992. It was  my very first stamp in my very first passport! (Note: I had previously traveled to Mexico & Canada, but you didn’t need a passport at the time.)  We took walking tours and visited all of the major tourist sights including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral etc.  We also took day trips to nearby cities including Shakesphere’s hometown. I felt like I had experienced all that London had to offer.

I returned to London again with college friends in 1994 to launch our seven week backpacking tour of Europe. I actually can’t recall what I saw on that visit, but I suspect it was much of the same as the 1992 trip since it was the first visit for my friends.  With two visits under my belt, I checked it of the long list of places to visit.

I always assumed I would return to London, but I never expected that it would take 15 years! In March, I finally returned to visit several of my friends that have moved there in the past year. I love London!  I had fond memories of it, but it seemed to be a completely different city to me. Perhaps we both matured along the way.

The food used to be crap. Now they have “gastro pubs” that serve wine and a variety of ethic food beyond traditional fish and chips.

Security has changed quite a bit too. In the 90’s there weren’t any trash bins on the streets, but they have reappeared along with cameras. EVERYWHERE.  I’m sure that is the case in most cities today, but it is very obvious there.

The city is clean, lively and completely fascinating. It’s both historic and trendy. Sophisticated.   It’s a vast city, but it feels like a small town. It’s not as urban as NYC. It’s more like Brooklyn.  Actually, It feels like  Boston, but that could be because all of the street names are the same. 🙂

One of my friends lives in Chelsea which is prime location in walking distance to shops, restaurants etc. It’s apparently a very wealthy area. I noted many Porches, Ferraris and Maseratis parked on the streets!

On this trip, I spent very little time at the traditional tourist stops. I explored neighborhoods and food markets, saw a movie in a local theater, strolled through parks and museums, participated in quiz night at  a local pub, attended the Oxford versus Cambridge crew race.

I felt like a local.

I may need to rethink my love affair with Paris.

April 12, 2009 Posted by aburnis | London, Travel | London, Travel | 1 Comment