RSS FeedStatues and the sea gulls
Sep 15, 2011 England, Scotland, UK
One of the common sights one gets to see in cities and towns of England and Scotland is statues. Statues of Kings & Queens, Dukes & Duchesses, royal family members, war heroes, prominent historical personalities, literary giants and many more. These statues blend into the surroundings so well as if they are integral part of the place. During my first visit to England, I failed to notice a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel for almost two weeks. But at the same time some of the statue stand out and command ones attention towards them. The intricate details on the statues, be it a stone one or bronze attracts and makes anyone to ponder about the effort & time taken to bring out such a beauty.
When you are living in a city and you are to see the same statue almost everyday, the interest gradually goes down. But what makes these statues more interesting are the flying artists aka sea gulls (or pigeons if you are not staying in a coastal city). They sit on these statues day in and out to come with their own art. Be it head, shoulder or forehand. and when there is a heavy rain, everything gets washed out and there is a fresh canvas for the sea gulls. And the painting begins again. :)
Edinburgh castle
Sep 9, 2011 Castle, Scotland, UK
My first visit to Edinburgh was two years ago on supposed be a summer weekend. But I was greeted by cold wind and it was a completely overcast. An optimum day for me to do anything else but go out there and roam around. As I walked around the castle, I felt as if looking at any other building. The overcast skyline and the lack sunlight somewhat subdued the vastness of the castle rock and the fortress. As I roamed around the castle last month, the views I got were amazing. I could easily distinguish between my first impression of the caslt and the one now.
Clear blue skies, all over
View that I got when I was in Edinburgh in April 2009, taken almost from the same place that of first photo.
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
