Top 10 Things I Love about London
In the tradition of Nick Hornby, here is a list of my Top 10 things I love about London town.
Having been a resident for 2 yrs, it actually took me some 4 days to come up with this list, I'd like to hear your thoughts, suggestions for ones I may have missed!
In no particular order (and with Photos to come..)
(1) The Tube, London Underground - Shock horror yes, as unreliable as it can be, and so frustratingly evil...the Tube remains the best way to get all over London, for work, for weekends for travelling. Stations are everywhere, compare if you will to Sydney's public transport system.
(2) History, Architecture, Buildings - The Low rise centre of town has been kept fairly sacred by the people, a testament to their love of their buildings. I think of Westminster, Tower of London, The Palaces, Horseguards, Tower Bridge, St Pauls, all those cobbled streets and the remains of London Wall.
(3) Museums - Some of the best Museums in the world are in London, my favourite, the British Museum, is free and showcases lovely treasures stolen from all parts of the world by the great British Empire.
(4) Markets - Bourough Markets, Farmers Markets and all other weekend Markets are such a lovely way to spend a weekend, the food IS amazing, fresh and home made.
(5) London as World City - London itself is not so much English as a microcosm of the global world. People of all colours faiths and countries come here. Even a quick tube ride will reveal the variety of people and languages you will hear will astonish the newly arrived visitor. This in itself means there are pockets of peoples in parts of London which themselves become mirrors of their new life and the old life.
(6) Transport Hub - All roads lead to Heathrow, Luton, Standsted, City, Gatwick or Waterloo. Europe is on London's doorstep. Cheap flights and amazing destinations are with in easy grasp of the jetsetter.
(7) Shopping - You want it, you can buy it here!
(8) Distinct Seasons - Coming from Sydney where things are pretty much Summer all year round with a couple of months of cooler temps, London really gives you the four seasons. The long dreary Winter, snow, ice, boilers on, scarves, jackets, hats and gloves, trees bare, the colour lost, the days so short. The the Spring, flowers bloom, Trees green, the days longer. Summer is so warm so bright, lazy days are just lovely Long Long days. Then the Autumn, the cooler days, the lower light, the falling of leaves. You do feel connected to the annual system here.
(9) Politeness - Love the way people are polite here in public, obviously I am talking more about the public transport and at work. But the level of fake civility and real civility is a good thing!
(10) Football - The first 2 yrs I tried to ignore it really and the third year I really forced myself to get into it...The press and the office talk is all Football. Love it - I will really miss this!
I'd love to hear your additions to this top 10!
Having been a resident for 2 yrs, it actually took me some 4 days to come up with this list, I'd like to hear your thoughts, suggestions for ones I may have missed!
In no particular order (and with Photos to come..)
(1) The Tube, London Underground - Shock horror yes, as unreliable as it can be, and so frustratingly evil...the Tube remains the best way to get all over London, for work, for weekends for travelling. Stations are everywhere, compare if you will to Sydney's public transport system.
(2) History, Architecture, Buildings - The Low rise centre of town has been kept fairly sacred by the people, a testament to their love of their buildings. I think of Westminster, Tower of London, The Palaces, Horseguards, Tower Bridge, St Pauls, all those cobbled streets and the remains of London Wall.
(3) Museums - Some of the best Museums in the world are in London, my favourite, the British Museum, is free and showcases lovely treasures stolen from all parts of the world by the great British Empire.
(4) Markets - Bourough Markets, Farmers Markets and all other weekend Markets are such a lovely way to spend a weekend, the food IS amazing, fresh and home made.
(5) London as World City - London itself is not so much English as a microcosm of the global world. People of all colours faiths and countries come here. Even a quick tube ride will reveal the variety of people and languages you will hear will astonish the newly arrived visitor. This in itself means there are pockets of peoples in parts of London which themselves become mirrors of their new life and the old life.
(6) Transport Hub - All roads lead to Heathrow, Luton, Standsted, City, Gatwick or Waterloo. Europe is on London's doorstep. Cheap flights and amazing destinations are with in easy grasp of the jetsetter.
(7) Shopping - You want it, you can buy it here!
(8) Distinct Seasons - Coming from Sydney where things are pretty much Summer all year round with a couple of months of cooler temps, London really gives you the four seasons. The long dreary Winter, snow, ice, boilers on, scarves, jackets, hats and gloves, trees bare, the colour lost, the days so short. The the Spring, flowers bloom, Trees green, the days longer. Summer is so warm so bright, lazy days are just lovely Long Long days. Then the Autumn, the cooler days, the lower light, the falling of leaves. You do feel connected to the annual system here.
(9) Politeness - Love the way people are polite here in public, obviously I am talking more about the public transport and at work. But the level of fake civility and real civility is a good thing!
(10) Football - The first 2 yrs I tried to ignore it really and the third year I really forced myself to get into it...The press and the office talk is all Football. Love it - I will really miss this!
I'd love to hear your additions to this top 10!
posted by j a s o n at 8:56 pm
4 Comments:
I can only agree with proximity to Europe for travels, and possibly the art & cultural aspects.
I can think of one more thing though - where else can you so easily get contract work with attractive pay and low requirements for commitment levels.
Also Nick Hornby's book... Rob is an emotionally fuckwit slob that's on the road to nowhere fast. He should have been counting his lucky stars that managed to score such a wonderful girl like Laura. He’s undeserving, and instead of being grateful he wished for someone 'better'.
When I first saw the movie (it was screened as the opening to the Syd Film Festival a few yrs ago), I was so fired up I had wanted to walk out of the cinema. The book portrayed the character in a slightly more redeeming light, though not by much. Basically I see no merit in his shortcomings, instead he epitomises everything I despise!
It's always disturbing when I hear ppl praise the book as representing 'hard truths' about relships from the male perspective.
My thoughts:
1) The Tube: It's just lucky you are doing Syd-Lon-HK because you are getting better each time in terms of public transport. After your first week in HK you will wonder how you ever put up with the tube.
(2) History, Architecture, Buildings - Yes. Beautiful.
(3) Museums - Yes again.
(4) Markets - Give me a wet market any day. Borough Markets is overcrowded, overpriced and hugely overrated. I can't wait until they raze part of it to decrease my train journey time between C Cross and London Bridge. I am keen to visit Dalston market though.
(5) London as World City - Yes and no. Everyone is here but that doesn't mean they have much to do with each other.
(6) Transport Hub - The proximity is good but the amount of flying that goes on is evil.
(7) Shopping - I'm not qualified to comment.
(8) Distinct Seasons - Yes, the hell of winter makes you really appreciate spring and summer.
(9) Politeness - It's a mixed bag, and depends greatly on the circles you move in.
(10) Football - See #7
You should write another 10 best list - one for your 10 favourite places in London.
Mine would include Spitalfields Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, La Maison Bertaux, Selfridges, Skandium...
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