Such a calming mood at this place.
Welcome to New Cross! I had to wait here for one hour, standing right by the street. It was perfect to observe people and to get a sense of how this district differs from other parts of London. Here, it was even more international - I didn't believe that was even possible -, the plenty of black people and Afican food shops was so unusual for me to see in a European city. Busses passed every minute or less, there was so much traffic and it was an overall very lively atmosphere. You could also see creative minded students of the Goldsmiths University from afar, shining through there colorful hair or their special style.
We took the Overground, which I preferred to the narrow, low and uncomfortable underground, to the station London Bridge. There was a complete different mood to this part of London. It seemed like there were a lot of different offices so the side streets were crowded with people wearing suits, problably spending their lunch breaks in extremely expensive restaurants. We walked further to the river and already saw the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London from afar. These building were impressive and the view over the Themes standing on the Tower Bridge reminded me a little bit of Hamburg and made me feel at home immediately.
The final stop of my trip was Shoreditch, a very hip - and i guess really gentrified - district in London full of street art, cafés and little shops selling self-made stuff. We walked through the Brick Lane which is a really long street full of art and shops. I wish to get here in the evening again to catch the mood, which I didn't really feel in the daytime. From there I walked back to Liverpool Street, amazed at the huge and architectural divers office buildings. From there, I got my coach back to Stansted Airport and said farewell to this exceptional city.
Seeing the crowded Piccadilly Circus with my own eyes was a great experience. I have seen uncountable photos and videos making this place seem like something huge and amazing. Actually I found myself amused by the metropolitan feeling but not as in awe as I have anticipated.
We wandered through the back streets and decided to have dinner at Gymkhana where we had delicious Indian food.
We walked by the riverside to the illuminated Big Ben. There was music, kids playing, tourists gazing at the attractions and Londoners just hanging around. That was a lovely mood. We went even further to the the museums Tate Modern and Britain, though they were closed unfortunately.
Oh London, how long have I longed to finally see you? At the end of Febuary, the day has come. Sitting in the bus from Stansted Airport to the centre, I was staring at the window while we passed the Baker Street with its gorgeous houses which looked exactly as I had imagined them from several Sherlock episodes.
I had to change busses in Victoria where I realized how difficult it could get to find your way although you even master the language. Finally, I found the right busstop to get to Oxford a few days, and return to London again.
I had to change busses in Victoria where I realized how difficult it could get to find your way although you even master the language. Finally, I found the right busstop to get to Oxford a few days, and return to London again.
We started our first walk at Baker Street, which I admired the night I arrived. At daytime, the street is filled with people of all ages and colours. We had a look at pretty, yet expensiv, book shops, tea shops and stopped for an 8 euro coffee. Welcome in the most expensive city in the world!
But these expenses were forgotten after we enjoyed several great museums for free. We walked through the Victoria & Albert Museum where art from all over the world, church mosaics or ancient sculptures were exhibited. The museum was so huge that we only saw a little part from it.
Our time was running out so we only had a quick look into the National History Museum, which already amazed me with its building. This impression was only reinforced on the inside. We continued to the Piccadilly Circus then and I will write more about our experience there int he next part.
