Monday, July 22, 2013
Our hotel is right near the site of a terrorist bombing of a London bus which occurred on July 5, 2005 in which 14 people died. It took place in Tavistock Square and was part of a series of bombings that took place on underground trains that day. There is a memorial to the victims set up against the fence of Tavistock Square.Reflections and observations of London life:
Trash cans - Few trash cans are to be found on London streets and none whatsoever in train stations because of the possibility of using them for terrorist bombings. Do you know how annoying it is to carry around a handful of trash because one can't find a trash can?? guess I could put it in my bra along with the other stuff I have in there such as cell phone, extra money, tissues, etc. but then there is the possibility of throwing away something valuable along with the trash when a trash can is located. The restaurants In the stations do have trash cans so just be sure to use those. Most of the ones on the street are clear plastic bags held open by a plastic ring at the top.which discourages hiding something in them like a bomb.
CCTV Cameras - there are surveillance cameras everywhere - on the trains, in the streets, in stores
Crossing London streets - London streets are packed with traffic and the sidewalks with people. There is the issue of traffic driving on the left hand side of the road so one has to be sure to look in the right direction for cars. Helpful writing on the street - "look left," "look right" - help but you still take your life in your hands. The lights take forever to change; meanwhile the crowds of people around you are crossing so you just tend to go with them.
Fashion - Women on London streets are wearing mostly dresses and skirts. About the only shorts I see are in young girls. Almost no jeans or even cropped pants. Current fashion includes maxi length dresses and dresses with a hem longer in back than in front.
Food - Food in London has improved greatly since we were last here 13 years ago and certainly since we first came to London in 1971. There are a ton of coffee shops and casual restaurants, most of them chains, where one can get fresh, relatively healthy meals. Prezzo, Le Pain Quotidien, Itsu, Pret a Manger, Carluccio's are a few of the restaurant chains one sees everywhere. Delicious ethnic food is also readily available. Fresh, sustainable, organic, local have all hit here!
Tube trains were sweltering hot today. Temp was 91 degrees! Some tube ststions require packing into a huge elevator like sardines to get up to street level. The alternative is to walk up in some cases 435 steps! We avoided the elevator stations today because of the heat.
Had breakfast with Anne in Woburn Lane around the corner from our hotel. She went to the library and Dave and I went to the Museum of London which Anne recommended. What an interesting, well done museum! So glad we went. On three levels, the history of London is depicted in modern, interactive displays from prehistoric to modern times. One sees items from each period including clothes, rooms set up to reflect the period and videos on various topics. Last display depicts the 2012 Olympics held in London.
Met Anne in the afternoon and went to the National Portrait Gallery. Took a taxi because of the heat. Not easy to find one. Guess others had the same idea. Portrait Gallery celebrates the art of portraiture and includes modern portraits as well as the old ones we are familiar with, kings and queens and such. There is a portrait competition every year with prizes given. I spent most of my time with this exhibit. Of course, every modern day museum has to have a store and this one has a particularly nice one.
We went right from the Portrait Gallery to the restaurant Anne had picked for us in The City part of London. The tube station was really crowded because of rush hour so we ended up walking to the next one which wasn't as bad. The restaurant, Loch Fyne (lock fine), is in the Leadenville Market area. It is primarily a fish restaurant and has a nice ambience. We enjoyed a wonderful meal with the three of us ordering the whole lemon sole with capers. Had samphire as a side dish. Did not know what this was. Waitress explained that it is a seaweed taken from rocks in Cornwall I believe and has a natural saltiness. Tasted a little like a very fine asparagus.
As we were walking to dinner we see posters at newsstands that Kate is in labor. Later, we hear that the royal baby has been born, a boy. Congratulations to Kate and William.
Did not take any pictures today but will add a couple from a previous day.
Pretty window boxes are everywhere
Not sure about the pink on this one. All others on block were white.
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