Six Word Saturday:
Seeing London with fresh eyes again.
Even though I’ve lived in London for almost five years, now that we’re leaving it seems appropriate to find some things I’ve never done before. So that is what I’ve done this week.
I stopped to listen, really listen and enjoy, some buskers in Trafalgar Square. OK I’ve stopped briefly to listen and watch street performances before but this one was really fun. The group is called Rumba De Bodas and you can find their music on YouTube. [This is not an ad]
Although I have walked past the gates before I hadn’t actually realised that this was Downing Street, as in THE Downing Street where the British Prime Minister lives. I went to visit a friend who works in one of the offices nearby and I was able to see the door to the famous Number 10. No photos unfortunately as I had to surrender my phone before going inside and sadly I hadn’t thought to take my camera that day.
A friend took me to have pie and mash. OK so not a great revelation but this one is apparently done the traditional way and served with ‘liquor’, an interesting parsley flavoured gravy.
You may not know that I’m a big Harry Potter fan, particularly since I haven’t found many of the film landmarks yet. I did however manage to see Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross station with my muggle eyes. There was a long queue to be photographed pushing the trolley into the wall, I declined so maybe I’m not such a massive fan after all.
And I walked across Tower Bridge for the first time – sure I’ve been near it, walked past it, gone under it in a boat and photographed it, but I hadn’t actually walked over it before now.
It is actually quite fun being a tourist in the place you are living, give it a go sometime!
Rainbow Bakery 
Whenever people come to visit me, I take them on a tour of my city. You’re right: it’s so much fun to be a tourist in your own town! There are so many things I wouldn’t have seen on my own because I never would have taken the time to do so.
Have a great weekend!
That is so true. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks Dana
What a great idea!
Thanks Elaine
I agree, I think we take our home towns for granted and viewing them with new eyes is always fun
And somehow there is always something that you never knew about to find, which is fun too.
I remember when I moved from Boston to London. I had lived in Boston for six years and when I found out I was leaving I did a mad dash to see all the stuff I always intended to see. Thanks for sharing your views of London.
Thanks TBM, is there anything in London you recommend before leaving?
So true about seeing the place where you live….we’re not far from Yosemite, and we’ve never been there; and there are still parts of San Francisco that I need to investigate.
Oh really? I’ve even been to Yosemite but as a tourist… I know what you mean.
Great London scenes, Georgia. I will be in London in a few days’ time. I remember the last time I was on Tower bridge, it was freezing cold and blowing a gale. This time should be much better. 🙂
Don’t hold your breath Ad, it is a bit windy lately and we’ve had a few thunderstorms lately too. Thursday looks great on the forecast, will you be here on Thursday?
Not sure about that pie n mash, Georgia, but I’d give it a go 🙂
Yeah, I had to try it once but once was enough 😉
I see we have Harry Potter Fan in common 🙂 Didn’t realize (altho of course i should have) that they had made some of the sites into tourist attractions 🙂 Good post!
I believe some of the film locations are in central London, the bridge that the death eaters break apart at the start of one film (maybe 5?) is the Millennium Bridge between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern. I believe that the front of Gringott’s bank is Australia House on the Strand, and I’ve been in two places that were supposed to either be or the inspiration for Diagon Alley. OK I’m going to do the film locations walking tour, you’ve inspired me Tina!
Fresh eyes that have been recently restored, too. ♫ I can see clearly now…♫
True, thanks Mlissabeth!
I believe Alain deBotton recommends everyone experience their environment as a tourist, even when they’re in their home town. In his book, The Art of Travel, he talks about a guy who lived in the 1800’s who decided to take a year long holiday around his bedroom. After his 12 month “vacation”, he wrote a book about it!
All the best for your remaining days in London 🙂
Thanks Marianne! I hope his bedroom was rather large, have you read the book about the bedroom vacation?
Not as yet. Let’s be honest – given how many adventures you can have in one room (not that many!), I probably never will 🙂
very fun to look at your city with fresh eyes! Good luck on your move and have a great week!
Thanks Kathe. The boxes have just arrived but I don’t know where to start yet.
We’ve seen more of San Francisco then evere since we’ve been hosting visiting students. Thanks for the tour oh London.
That is great Carol. Thanks for visiting.
I used random.org to select some 6WS posts to visit this week and I’m so glad yours was of them! Oh, how I adore London… I’ve visited three times and I would just go back again and again. Thank you for sharing!
HI Cate, thanks so much for stopping by, I really appreciate it.
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