London, the heart of the old empire. The city made infamous by Dickens. A city that sprawls and meanders shackled by its building laws. But where o where is thy charm?
I went to London expecting a charming European city with a laid back appeal but found it to be a bustling megapolis in its last stages of shedding its soul. Yes there are numerous green areas and yes there are few skyscrapers but yet it seems as if the soul of the city has been taken away by the avenging horde of tourists who stock its every corner, the corporatization of its stores and streets and the hustle and bustle that does stop for the history that envelopes it.
The first thing I noticed when I reached London is how little it is different from US. The feel of London is almost like being in some uncertain city in US. The second thing I noticed, and much more shocking, was the preponderance of the closed circuit cameras. This looks like a city under siege with a Closed Circuit camera hanging from every roof, every gate and every passageway. I felt like I was under constant surveillance.
Travel
Public Transportation system in London is pretty darn good. Given that a lot of it is more than a century old, it is amazing how well the underground subway network works. The buses are super-efficient double deckers that make your head spin if you sit on the upper deck but extraordinary remarkable efficiency and convenience.
Food
London is dotted with hip sandwich shops - predominantly EAT and Pret a Manger. Both look snazzy and hip and the food is good. What I really enjoyed in London is getting those Chutney and Cheese sandwiches - sweet onion chutney that goes fabulously well with the dull taste of cheese.
