there’s an interesting vibe for every city that gives it that characteristic flair.
Some developing cities are just too touristy and everything leeches off tourists. Sure, every city has its tourists, especially capitals, but there’s something about london that makes it unique. Maybe its the huge local populace that dilutes the touristy feel? Considering you’re more likely to bump into someone of non-english parentage on the tube, I guess not. Maybe its because of its history, and that london has had this flavour for so long that everyone who goes there knows, and adopts it? Sounds very much like a chicken and egg situation if you ask me.
Then again, we need not know the why to describe what something is. London strikes me as a congested, lively, busy and buzzing place. Sounds somewhat like Hong Kong in that respect, or even singapore-there are a sizable number of both populations in London- but both places tend to overwhelm, and thats where London is different. The diversity makes it unique. There are halal stores selling doner kebabs and fish and chips and weird fusions of people everywhere who look and sound different, but all do so in a distinctly british english accent.
The only problem is that their transport system is shit. totally shit. Lines go down over the weekends and the trains are small and overcrowded. Stations are old, yellowing and vadly ventilated. The whole transport system itself is a fragmented hodgepodge of 5 different systems. The buses are COMPETITION, not complements to the trains! Its basically rubbish. Yet, people get by. In fact, the congestion and chaos is so bad, that people are willing to drive 2 hours to and from work!
Stresses aside, I find the rich history alluring. The natural history museum was awesome and put the deutsches museum here in munich to shame by sheer scale. And the latter can’t be completed in a day! The many memorials and churches contrast to the ultra modern glass facades and wavy, energy concious forms and give the city a look that reflects its vibe to a T. Its not so much of a clash of old and new, but a synergy that makes everything fit.
The main thing that captivated me is that there is always something to do. There are always things happening and everything has people attending! More often than not it is the venues that are too small!
I think the funniest thing is that i realised the provision shop at Gatwick airport, WHsmith sells the cheapest british chocolates and cookies. Thank god we can get them in singapore haha
okay i’m tired. too tired. Easyjet’s 7am flight is too damn early!! but the good thing is that i’m in Munich on a Sunday and am resting. I am….well… supposed to be at least. haha
ok now to nap till 6!
