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"When you're tired of London, you're tired of life," the great chronicler Dr. Johnson pronounced.
And I assure you, you can't be tired of London, a city more than 1,000 years old, it reflects its past, protects its past, and ceaselessly bounds towards its future.
Like most old and great cities it has evolved, so one sees ancient buildings, buildings from other eras and generations side by side with glass monolithic towers. They blend past, present and future seamlessly. In common too with all very large cities, London is a series of villages that keep meeting and conjoining. London used to be English in that staid, stolid way. It was dependable, no surprises, filled with English courtesy and civility. Then modernity and ethnic flows changed it all. The greatest wave came in the early 70s when "the Arabs" took over everything, or so it seemed. They planted their flags up and down Park Lane, over banks and
industrial sites. Their restaurants and shops merged, overtook, and submerged the "British" restaurants and shops. And all of a sudden, London was an ethnic center to be reckoned with. Waves of Asians of all stripes and colors, their ethnic foods filling the air of London. London became a capital of the world, and thrived on the incredible diversity it offered.
Royal & Historic London - the magnet for tourists. I mean, a Monarchy that flourishes in the 21st Century? Traditions dating back hundreds of years celebrated and enjoyed by local Londoners, immigrant Londoners, and global tourists. A good old "Knees up Mother Brown," in a local pub, with a Ploughman's lunch and a pint of bitter. May not be luxury, but it can certainly give you a feel for the country if you enjoy it in Westminster, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, or one of the posh centers of London.
With the Royal Season being the highlight of the Royal Splendor, everyone who wants to dress up in hats, or gowns and jewels, and men in top hat and tails, Ascot, Derby and Buckingham Palace Garden Parties are ideal invitations. A stroll through St. James's Park on the left side of The Mall, leading down from Buckingham Palace and towards Horse Guards Parade on a cool, refreshing evening is one of life's pleasures. A band of The Royal Guards plays patriotic and fun songs, and people picnic and talk and make new friends. Then the sound of Big Ben is heard across the land, and another step back into history is taken.
Green Park is the other side of the Mall and over to Piccadilly. It is aptly named for it is only Green! No plants or color were sown, and it was a favorite hunting ground of Kings gone by. London is a walking town so make sure you pack good walking shoes. No matter the level of luxury, there is a point in every major city's day when cars/cabs/buses or any mechanized mode of travel just won't work. So, walking is the answer
Come down the Mall to Admiralty Arch and into Trafalgar Square where Admiral Nelson reigns supreme. The tourist and pigeon populations can be overwhelming. But, it is fun to stand in the middle of the Square and look down towards Westminster to see the Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. More history you can touch. Turning another way will lead towards the theatres of the venerable West End. Many of the world's greatest actors and perfumers have appeared on these boards, and every night the theatres are filled and the magic happens when the curtain goes up. Stroll up the Theatre Way and then turn left at Leicester Square. Here the movie theatres dominate and some of the most star studded global premiers take place here. Walk through the other side of the Square and you'll walk straight into Piccadilly Circus, one of London's tourist magnets. It's like a mini-Arch de Triumphed spinning out into four major thoroughfares, shopping, eating, theatre, people watching, what more could one want? Chinatown is just nearby, ever growing and eating more streets. The raunchy Soho of porn and sin fame, rubs shoulders with a "little Italy" version of EU immigration.
London, so much to tell, so much to explore.
Savour this, and I promise you more.....
July 15, 2023
