Singing Chef

Harrod's department store food hall, London. at the Italian stand, the chefs sing folk songs and act simple episodes of opera, attracting many visitors.

Queen Square

Saturday morning I went to do my laundry, entirely unexpected, I had the most peaceful and relaxing moments during my entire stay in London. It was a very quiet Saturday morning; the city is spared of the usual crowds and noises. After early morning rain in Autumn, the air smells crisp and clear. The sun was coming out of clouds, just started to heat up the ground and everything on it. It was a small (by US standard) neighborhood park I strolled into after starting up the washing machine, just to kill some time. It’s called Queen Square, just a small piece of green grassland with some trees, bit of flowers, and two dark bronse statues, this is one of them.
Surrounding buildings include a hospital and a historical bar named after Queen Victoria, the streets were almost empty, only an old lady passed me by. There are a few apartment buildings a block away, almost red brick, bit of plain and old, looks like filled with low income immigrants, but very much are like the building I lived in ages ago. Walking around the little park really reminded me of the places in old Beijing in the 80’s, same of the old buildings and small park, same kind of peacefulness. It seemed time has turned back two decades and I found myself a young boy again on my bicycle passing through those back streets covered in old leafy trees and Russian style red brick buildings. It was before the commercialization of the city and influx of migrants.
I know how weird it sounds. I had the same feeling the first day in Milan, I guess I'll feel the same way in many European cities ahead. Perhaps cities with history and culture are all alike, but it's nice to think that traveling around the world, you can find serenity at unexpected locations.
I snapped a few pictures with my cell phone before moving along with rest of the day, didn't spend much time there. After all, peace is always short.