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Feb 8, 2012 England, London, Photo Essay, UK
One of the many things I missed during may six months stay in London two and half years ago was going on a ride on Thames river. When I visited again for a week in last August, I didn’t miss it this time. We took the ferry from Westminster to Greenwich, since we had plans to visit Greenwich museum. As the cruise sailed along the river we were in for a surprise. Along with all the historical buildings along, either side of the river were lined up with buildings with bright, vibrant colours and even some of them with weird combination of colours on the. Here are some of them –
Edged and taken
Jan 4, 2012 England, London, UK
Cricket to an Indian is what weather to a British – a conversation starter. If I’ve to be a bit superlative, I can say Cricket runs in most of the Indians’ blood. For a person like me who is one of those millions who follow cricket, visiting Lord’s cricket ground was a must. During my six months stay in London in 2009, I set out visiting places on weekends. At last when I roamed around in the Lord’s stadium, I was delighted. But at the same time, I was a bit disappointed to not to see Rahul ‘The Wall’ Dravid’s name on the honor board – who missed scoring a century by just five runs.
While it took fifteen years for Dravid to get a century at Lords, I was back again in Lords within 2 years – just to see Dravid’s name on the ‘Honor board’. But I chose a wrong day to visit the stadium – which was a match day and visitors are not allowed in the pavilion on match days. The match was between Berkshire and Hertfordshire counties.
Instead of getting to see the honor board, I had an opportunity to witness few deliveries from the commentary box. While there was a buzz in the commentary box taking in the beautiful view, it died down as the bowler started his stride for his delivery. The batsman tried chasing a wide one and edged it effortlessly. The ball flew between the wicket keeper and the first slip, amid the oohs and aahs coming out from everyone in the press box. The next delivery was a similar one to the first delivery and the batsman repeated the mistake again and edged it for the second time. This time the keeper was quick to react and pouched the ball. Watching a fall of wicket form the press box compensated with the missed chance to roaming around the pavilion.
Here is a view of the good old Lord’s pavilion from the stands.
A unique audio guide
Sep 7, 2011 England, London, UK
One of the common sights while visiting museums or castles is, most of the visitors walking around with audio guides glued held on to their ears (which looks like as if everyone one is talking on cellphone). Put the strap around your neck, hold the audio guide to your ear and start exploring – that’s the routine while visiting these places. After a while I started carrying my ear phone, when I figured out that one can plug them in the jacks (if available) and keep the hands free. One the last day of my one week stay in London I visited Florence Nightingale museum. When the person at the museum asked whether I need an audio guide, I replied affirmatively and started fishing out for my ear phones. Before I could reach the ear phones, a stethoscope was handed over to me and the lady started explaining how to use the audio guide. I was sort of puzzled look at the stethoscope which was actually the audio guide of the museum. What a fitting way to salute the ‘Lady with the lamp’. Using a stethoscope as audio guide was fun. There was no need search for the number near an exhibit and punching in the guide. Just put on the stethoscope, place the diaphragm on the circle in the wall next to an exhibit and listen to the commentary.
Florence Nightingale museum, though a small one, tells the story of her life, her contribution to nursing profession and about her work during the Crimean War. in Victorian England as well as celebrating the nursing profession. Some of the exhibits in the museum include Florence Nightingale’s medicine chest which she took to the Crimean War, her lamp which got her the name “The Lady with the Lamp” and a rare photograph of Florence. The museum is very close to the London Eye and one can reach this place by walk from either Westminster or Waterloo tube station.
Tags: Museum
Free hugs, anyone?
Aug 29, 2011 England, London, UK
I was in London last week after a long gap of 20 months (this time as a tourist taking my mom and wife around the places). On the very first day we landed in London, first place I took them was to one of my favorite locations in London – Trafalgar square. Being a Saturday and summer, the place was bustling. When we were making our way through the energetic crowd to find a place for us to sit, we bumped into a group of Free Hugs campaigners.
A group of 12-15 campaigners held up the placards inviting the passersby for a free hug. It was fun to watch people’s expressions and reactions (most of them being tourists). Old ladies were the most responsive ones. They almost ran towards a hugger when they saw the placard. Most of the elderly men with cigars just shrugged off their shoulders and looked at them suspiciously while walking past. Most of the girls usually in small groups went on giggling till they lost sight of these fellows, while some of them hesitantly agreed for a hug. Funniest set of people to watch were the couples. While the guy wanted a hug his girlfriend/partner would drag him out that place.
While I was trying to capture these wonderful bunch of people, this nice lady caught me clicking their photos. She demanded for a free hug and I had not choice but to oblige. :)
Tags: Free Hugs, Trafalgar Square
