London Calling
I am a huge London Fan! My love affair began with my first trip abroad at the ripe old age of 14. Later, I returned to study Victorian literature and then came back after graduation. I find the city so steeped in history, culture and literary landmarks that I have, still today, never tired of it. This past week was my first time returning to London since my work visa ran out over a year ago. Since then much has happened in my life; travel, work, blogging. I was so nervous, it was like seeing an old lover for the first time after a long absence.
This trip I stayed at a hotel in London instead of with an old friend who lives in Canary Wharf, but I was excited about visiting an entire area of London I’d never been to before. Canary Wharf is located in the southeastern part of London and has been the center of shipping for decades. After taking the Underground to Canary Wharf, and finding my friends flat, he took me sightseeing. The atmosphere was markedly different from the rest of the city. Skyscrapers loomed above the quaint streets and business people bustled about like ants. Underground, many of the buildings are connected in this vast maze like shopping area. Canary Wharf is lacking in history and culture, but it does have an orderly and peaceful quality about, which distinctly separates it from the rest of London. I found it very thrilling to find goats, llamas and cows located on the Isle of Dogs. There was the Mudchute Farm and Park on 32 acres that makes up the largest urban farm in London! It’s free to attend and I could even pet the animals.
We left Canary Wharf and the animals to find culture. We made our way to the very busy theaters of the West End. I got to finally see a performance of ‘Phantom of the Opera’, it only took me 23 years to do so! We also took some time to attend the London Ghost tour. Even if you don’t believe in Ghosts, the folklore and the history gives you great insight into a culture. Plus, our tour guide recited poetry, sang and pointed out many spooky spots around the old city.
It’s grand to be back in old London town. I wish I could stay here longer than a week, but work back in the States only allows me this one week reprieve.
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