Surprisingly, you feel comfortable. You know the airport, how to buy train tickets or order a cab. The roads seem familiar. You remember the address of the fabulous restaurant you ate at last time without having to write it down and recognise the tipping norms. You know where to go shopping for the best deals and for the luxury items. You even remember a hairdresser who gave you a fantastic haircut the last time you visited. The British Library still beckons you. You know the correct pronunciation of many words. And you can get past the mix of accents, all speaking English, mind you. You sense and experience more acutely.
Yet, you also feel vibrant and anticipatory. There is so much more to discover just because there is no plan. Once you are past the regular, you start to see the small things which underlines and emphasise the city. Like, logically there is a fish atop the weathervane of the old Billingsgate fish market instead of a cockerel or an arrow. Or that London has a memorial to a Nazi, a dog named Giro, a pet terrier of the German ambassador to UK in 1932. The story goes that when the dog died by chewing an electric cable in 1934, the ambassador was so distraught that he organised a proper burial with a tombstone that read: “Ein treuer Begleiter” – “A faithful companion”. And more such trivia that you don’t observe by sitting in the London Eye.
And of course, if you are in only for a day, the question is where do you eat? Spoilt for choices, at the Borough Market which has been serving food for over 1000 years. Or at Dishoom, a homage to the famous old Bombay Iranian cafes, where food on the feisty modern Indian menu are vividly described and spiced with brilliant sides and quirky facts. Or do you indulge at Temper, an open fire pit restaurant, where BBQ food is prepared & cooked in front of you fresh and directly served. Or are you brave to take the leap and try a cuisine that your heart desired for long?
And of course, if you are in only for a day, the question is where do you eat? Spoilt for choices, at the Borough Market which has been serving food for over 1000 years. Or at Dishoom, a homage to the famous old Bombay Iranian cafes, where food on the feisty modern Indian menu are vividly described and spiced with brilliant sides and quirky facts. Or do you indulge at Temper, an open fire pit restaurant, where BBQ food is prepared & cooked in front of you fresh and directly served. Or are you brave to take the leap and try a cuisine that your heart desired for long?
Speaking of pronunciations, there are several to stumble upon in London. How do you pronounce Gloucester, Leicester, Berkley Square, Borough, Southwark etc? Not so straightforward as they look. Have fun, find their pronunciations out!
In 1777, a quintessential Londoner, Dr Samuel Johnson quoted: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”. For almost 250 years this verdict has remained: you can never be tired of London. And, to give a more modern touch to the tale, the Transport for London’s slogan is “every journey matters.
In 1777, a quintessential Londoner, Dr Samuel Johnson quoted: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”. For almost 250 years this verdict has remained: you can never be tired of London. And, to give a more modern touch to the tale, the Transport for London’s slogan is “every journey matters.
An unplanned day turned out to be more enlivening than predicted. Next on the plan (although I am forbidden to call it a plan) is Scotland. I was told we would take the train. Trains are one of my favourite travelling method, but trains in this part of the world have a notorious reputation, or so I believed.
Let’s wait and see!
Let’s wait and see!
