London: The Swinging City
March 14, 2012
This marks my second day in London, and I am in awe of this bustling metropolitan city that vibrates like the wings of a hummingbird. I rode the “tube” from Heathrow airport to King’s Cross in a 45-minute underground journey across the city to Clink Hostel. After checking into this energetic resting ground, I ventured out into the most interesting city I have ever visited. Verbal communication is obviously not an issue on this leg of trip, and there’s something comforting about not having to ask for an English menu. I have to admit it’s also nice to eavesdrop again, especially since I am traveling alone. The tube system is amazing in London, but the real fun is found on the double-decker buses that cruise throughout the city; I love watching the show from the top deck.
The London Eye – The tallest Ferris wheel in Europe and the most visited paid tourist attraction in the UK – 3.5 million visitors annually
My first stop was at Green Park, and then I sauntered over to Buckingham Palace. It’s a very impressive but cold building—I found the Swedish Palace to be much more impressive. It’s disconcerting to consider how the system of royalty and peasants has evolved over the centuries. It seems the biggest difference is that the masses are now able to distract themselves far more easily from reality, through their smart phones or other self-created stresses, to avoid thinking about the restrictions still placed on their lives.
Buckingham Palace. I wonder how much money the British tabloid industry owes to the Royal Family?
After walking along St. James Park and enjoying the peaceful water, I made my way down to Trafalgar Square. As I sat and looked out at the famous formed concrete, I was able to enjoy my coffee while observing an interesting scene of people. I then made my way through Piccadilly Circus, and the energy of this area blew me away. I watched a street performer limbo at a level I have never seen before!
From Canadian tourists getting shameless selfy pics.
To the “Official Countdown to the Olympics”
to Public Performing Artists
to Protests creating awareness of human Atrocities
everyone has a different purpose
March 15, 2012
Today I fueled up with a classic English breakfast (England isn’t exactly the healthiest nation on earth) and then took off to the British Museum.
Upon entering I was immediately attracted to the Egyptian displays, and was astounded when I saw the Rosetta Stone. It’s crazy to contemplate how long hieroglyphic symbols written thousands of years ago evaded our understanding until this key was pilfered by Napoleon.
Upon entering I was immediately attracted to the Egyptian displays, and was astounded when I saw the Rosetta Stone. It’s crazy to contemplate how long hieroglyphic symbols written thousands of years ago evaded our understanding until this key was pilfered by Napoleon.
After touring around the museum for a while, I stopped taking photos of the famous inanimate objects that were becoming rather boring to me and started focusing on the truly interesting subjects: the living. I shifted my focus from the mummies to the hoards of kids running wild, enjoying what was obviously an epic field trip; I also observed the countless adults, who looked bored out of their minds and were more focused on their photos of the artifacts rather than the actual exhibit itself. I turned into a observer of human activity, a modern field anthropologist, maybe a little creepy I guess, but the museum became a lot more interesting when I shifted my focus solely to people watching.
What an amazing field trip!
Safety First!
It was a beautiful day, so I walked down to one of London’s most famous attractions, Big Ben. There have been moments traveling this year that felt like a dream, and when the tower began to ring as it struck four o’clock I was transported back to my childhood with a memory of watching the Disney classic The Great Mouse Detective.
Across the street from the ornate Parliament Building was a protest. Although I wasn’t sure exactly what the crowd was protesting, I felt inspired by their energy to fight for the justice. Finding a source of passion is the most exciting feeling for me, and when other people are so avidly displaying it I feel re-energized in my focus to create change.
I spent the night hanging out in Soho, and while visiting a coffee shop I ended up having an interesting conversation with an aspiring actress from Italy who was here for an audition. For once technology actually helped start the interaction. Despite wearing my headphones and being actively engaged in typing, she asked me to help her log on to the internet. Her phone was not able to connect, which led us to discuss how obstructive these devices can be in meeting new people. It’s weird how often we create an idea of how difficult it is to talk to someone, but when you take time to be friendly you realize that most people are very open, and as soon as you start extending kindness it returns almost immediately. Karma works a lot quicker than you think.
An honest example of London’s finest helping out it’s citizens.
March 16, 2012
Today’s adventure started with me taking the tube, which eventually connected me to Tower Hill. Emerging from the human sardine system, I was confronted with the London Tower, which was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.
An even better field trip!
The castle was full of eager tourists intent on filling their camera with pictures (including myself in this category), while the true, yet more elusive presence of the building was largely ignored. This structure was erected to display authority, to protect a select few and to ultimately control the people of London. Most people of power have been self-centered egomaniacs looking to prove their dominance at the expense of humanity. There are no animals other than humans who set out to dominate in this way, and even though this form of power never satisfies human greed, people continue to try to attain it.
A tour guide who made sure his passion for history commanded your attention!
It’s scary to think how this type of system, exemplified through an 11th century castle, exists to this day. Most of the people in power–the CEOs, the dictators, even some of the politicians–are sociopaths that don’t play by any rules, be they moral or societal. And then we the people, who operate by a moral code and a societal one, have to do our best to fight against these tyrants that are willing to play on human emotion. What to do? Never give up, never give up, never give up! Our only chance to change our society for the better is to unite. The way the system is currently set up coerces us into thinking we are alone and doomed to a rat race of keeping up with the latest fashions and using the most advanced technology, but when we realize this mode of living is only helping those with Political Dominance, we can take the power back from the hands of the chosen few. We don’t have to live in an automated fashion! It’s not easy, but whenever you get the chance, you need to take a breath, come up for some air, orient yourself and get back on the path you want to follow.
There are pockets of people everywhere who are working hard to change the world–and really, what else has ever brought about change other than a few focused, purpose driven, hard working people? It has always started with taking individual responsibility. And, no matter the outcome, as long as you don’t surrender to the oppression of human freedom you can find solace in knowing you fought a fight that was worth the effort.
I am currently in Camden Town, and I just connected with a beautiful soul from France who makes dazzling jewelry. She is a creator of unique beauty, and incidentally, learning about her life was the most interesting part of my day.
Westminster Abbey
To often we end up staring at the London Tower Bridge, Big Ben or whatever other ridiculous monument is obstructing our view of the sky, and forget to pay attention to the most unique blessing, the angels in our presence. This life can be so confusing, but if you keep it simple, be polite, generous and hard-working, suddenly it seems like nothing else really matters–especially all of those selfish goals that seemingly promised you pleasure; as per usual, in the pursuit of pleasure all we find is pain. However, when we let our heart, rather than our head, guide our actions, we travel closer to the natural laws of the universe that produce peace and harmony within us, as well as the feeling of simple, true universal purpose. The connection between living beings makes everything else in the world fade into the background, if only on occasional, allowing recognition of the beautiful moments.
March 17, 2012
Today my mom, who has arrived to join me on my journey for the next two weeks, greeted me in downtown London. Traveling the world has been amazing, and getting to know my “true self” has been scary and fun, but reconnecting with my mom, the woman who brought me into this world, always makes me feel like I am at home even when I am an ocean away.
We hopped in a classic English cab and cruised over to Camden Town, where we were completely entertained by the energetic and eclectic shops, people and food. True to our surroundings, we enjoyed some tea before dining on another London classic, Indian food. Following our dining, we went to the musical Billy Elliot. I have to admit that I was thoroughly impressed by the production, especially it’s message of “be yourself,” and how it highlighted the social struggle surrounding a young boy pursuing his passion of ballet despite the opposition of his judgmental father and brother. This type of show was a great opportunity to recognize the profound way art communicates to and shapes our society.
