Brown Girl in London

Impressions of London

It was day 2 of working in London and the first full day. It's great that my first job is down on Oxford Street - right at the Oxford Circus tube station - because I'm right in the thick of things. That street is probably one of the most busy streets in all of London - mostly because of the shopping since the entire street is only shops - Boots, Selfridges, Debenhams, BHS, Gap, TopShop, Benetton and many, many more. Since I have a job now I think it's okay to go browse around, yes?

There are so many people in London it's almost crazy. I know I've sworn out loud quite a few times because of all these humans walking around. And they don't just casually walk, everyone here walks with a purpose - whether it be getting that shirt they saw at FCUK, getting lunch at Pret a Manger, or getting to work - they all walk here as if they're on a life or death mission. I mean, they're practically running. On Oxford St you cannot walk without being jostled or cut off - it gets very aggravating when you're not used to it!

I had some time before I began work this morning so I sat in Hanover Square, a little park surrounding Hanover St, and I saw a father with his little girl and her baby brother or sister in a stroller walking to school. Both of them were walking a top speed, him pushing the pram (or pushchair as they call them here) and her with her little backpack bouncing up and down. It seems Londoners are groomed for speed-walking from the time they are young.

I like London so far, I haven't found much to complain about. At time it reminds me so much of Toronto, just a much bigger version of it. At other times it reminds me of Trinidad - from what I can remember. It depends on where you go I guess. But so far so good.

posted by RC @ 4:40 PM