Wednesday 6 January 2010

visite à Londres

At Christmas time, my family usually do something to start off the season or bring it to an end. This year, we went down to London to see Blood Brothers in the Pheonix Theatre. However, when walking through the rather damp city centre, you could hear all the rich tones of French, Mandarin, some Spanish and maybe the odd German voice. Even when the rain is pouring, the boutiques are heaving and the cafes are ridiculously priced the city is still a huge tourist attraction; me being one of them. But what puzzled me is the lack of English people not only visiting their capital city, but the very small number of English working in the city in the hospitality sector mainly. In Harrods out of the huge number of employees, I found two lovely English ladies who served me in the gift section. Although I did not visit the whole shop, we didn't have that much time, or a sleeping bag for the night!

This wasn't my first time to London, but as I was much younger I cannot remember much of it at all. So, this experience was one of bright lights and rich smells and deafening horns and nibble black cabs. But I'm struggling to understand why so few Brits are enjoying the nucleus to their country? The expense may be one reason, granted, but there are plenty of alternatives to dining in the Ritz and slumbering at the Savoy.

I think we should enjoy the era we have surrounding us before it's gone or we are no longer able to be bewitched with it's immense power.