St. Paul's Cathedral at Night

One last evening stroll before I leave for Canada. Two of my flatmates have already left London to spend the holidays with their families in Hawaii and L.A. Even though I am leaving behind a truly magical and festive city, which is my home now, I am looking forward to be reunited with my loved ones. It feels a bit strange flying back to a country that was my home for over a decade, and now I no longer have an address there.

Inside the Covent Garden Market

Londoners are in the shopping mode. The city's stores are extra crowded with shoppers getting ready for the holiday season. I went shopping today, on a Tuesday, hoping that the stores will be less busy. Nope. Very busy. The stores are sparkling with decorations, the city is lit beautifully, and the holiday spirit is in the air! So is the freezing wind.

Trafalgar Square

The Nelson's Column, a big laud fountain, and now a huge Christmas tree. All in this lively square which is located at the heart of London. This is also where The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery are located. This photo shows how dark, cloudy, and "winterly" London is at this time of the year.

Charing Cross

I must admit that it took me a while to train myself to look in the correct direction when crossing the street. Most people in London cross the street anywhere and anytime, as soon as there is an opening. On most intersections there are actual signs painted onto the sidewalks that tell you which way to look before crossing the street. They have saved my life on numerous occasions.

The Pub Scene

I do frequent the city's pubs, especially with my classmates after a full day of lectures and talks but only to order a nice glass of pinot grigio. In London the pubs are full on any day of the week, especially after work and in the evenings. Some of them have really interesting history, and some are just simply traditional. The Porcupine attracts the tourist crowd flooding out from Leicester Square and the theatre crowd on their way up to Cambridge Circus.

Knife on Fire

Dinner time in flat 19! I share a large kitchen with four flatmates and have an amazingly functional unspoken system in place, from sharing food, to washing the dishes and preparing meals together. But once in a while something(one) malfunctions. This time I was boiling the milk on the stove for home-made lattes while apparently melting the nearby knife at the same time. I quickly turned it into an art project.

The Albert Memorial

London embarked on the damp, cold, and rainy part of autumn. But during the few sunny days, I am able to enjoy sights like this one. This memorial is in Kensington Gardens and pays a tribute to Queen Victoria's husband who died of typhoid fever. It reflects Prince Albert's passion for the arts, as it is decorated with subjects from literature, painting, geography, music, as well as angels.

Somerset House

J and I stumbled accidently upon this palace while walking down a busy street in central London. Built in 1547, this mansion became associated with the lavish entertainments of the royal court. Once a centre of the nation's naval power, today the Somerset House is an art gallery, an outdoor cinema, and a venue to a lively music scene featuring performances by Lily Allen, Mika, and Mogwai among others. Oh, and it also has an ice rink. London is getting ready for the Holidays.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is designed by the internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson and the award-winning Norwegian architect Kjetil Thorsen, of the architectural practice Snøhetta. The Gallery and the Pavilion are located in London's Hyde Park, very near the Kensington Gardens and the horseback riding paths. This structure is used for Gallery talks, performances, and other events.

Natural History Museum

By accident we got off at the wrong station and found this cool attraction outside of the Natural History Museum. The museums and galleries were so busy this weekend and the parks less crowded than usual. Yes, the cold part of autumn is here. Hence the ice rink outside of the Museum.

V

Recently England celebrated Guy Fawkes Night. He plotted to blow up the building in the photo. He was in the cellar of the parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th. Guy was caught, tortured and executed. To commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes the British celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy. I have also watched "V for Vendetta" with my flatmates, as well as attended a bonfire with my classmates in a friend's backyard. Very fun!

Don't Let a Good Night...

I love this photo! J took it. An interesting angle and numerous little details make this picture awkward and fun at the same time.

Westminster Abbey

One other late night stop on our journey through central London was the Westminster Abbey. Benedictine monks first came to this site in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day. Although J and I didn't go inside the church, we sneaked into the courtyard and wondered through the darkened corridors filled with tombs.

A Good Evening

J and I have always enjoyed late night walks. In this city they are just as entertaining as during the day time. The atmosphere is very romantic and the buildings, even the residential ones, are lit in very strategic ways. The streets are always busy. Everyone walks really fast here, even late at night. This time of year it gets dark in London before five o'clock.

Covent Garden Market

This busy market is in central London and stretches across a whole square, next to the Opera House. I like it better by night. One can find here pretty crafty things, delicious pastries and posh restaurants. J and I sat on the top terrace and enjoyed a couple of drinks when a mouse ran across the floor...and back! Despite this mice problem, the market is visited by close to one million people per week.

The Tate Grounds

Yes, back to the Tate Modern again. I can't help myself! It is only ten minutes away from where I live by train. I even like the simple exterior of the gallery, located really close to the water. Each time I try to conquer a new wing. I think its membership time!

Bankside

And this is the view to the west of the Tate Modern in Bankside, an area of Southwark, very close to the London Bridge. Yes, I do frequent this area quite a bit. Even though most days in London are cloudy, the sun does come out once in a while, illuminating the buildings with a yellow glow. There is a helicopter in this photo, carrying a cheerful sign prior to one of the rugby games.

The View

This is the view facing away from the Palace. A few monuments lit by the fancy street lamps, many touristas, and of course the Eye in the distance. All illuminated by the setting sun. To the left my cousin is making his way to take a photograph of his own.

St. James's Park

This park is really beautiful. We walked among pink and purple flowers, silver squirrels, couples eating sushi on benches, and black swans swimming across the lake. This park leads towards the Buckingham Palace.

St. Paul's Cathedral

This spectacular cathedral is located directly on the other side of the river, across from the Tate Modern. Its dome is one of the largest in the world. The whole structure is so white! I am yet to step inside it. It was interesting to see this huge cathedral surrounded so closely by buses, apartment buildings, shops, telephone booths, and sidewalks. It stands closely to the commotion of the everyday city life.

Crossing

This view is from the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian-only steel suspension bridge crossing the river and linking Bankside with the city. On one side is the Tate Modern, on the other is St. Paul's Cathedral. But these are the buildings leading up to both of the attractions. Pretty colours.

Maman 1999

My cousin came to visit me for the whole weekend and we decided to take a long discovery walk along the Thames. One of our stops was the Tate Modern. The weather was friendly and the art fascinating. We have spend a great deal of time outside of the gallery enjoying this piece by Louise Bourgeois, and inside my cousin took many photos of Doris Salcedo's "crack". We ended our artful adventure in a darkened room with Mark Rothko. Very satisfying.

Pretty In Red

This is a bit of a rant. I cannot believe how expensive it is to make a phone call from a public telephone booth. It costs something like one pound per minute. Although the booths are very attractive I must admit. This is how they lure you in. One of the first things I did upon my arrival was purchased a mobile phone. Now I can call home for only five pence per minute. (I should star in a commercial)

Frieze

The Frieze Art Fair featured over 150 galleries from around the world, even Poland. It took me hours to visit most of the artworks. Frieze is also a very good contemporary art magazine. Every year the fair takes place in the month of October in a pavillion in Regent's Park. The underground was filled that day mostly with two kinds of people: those going to the art fair and others who were making their way to their favourite pub to watch the rugby game. Or was it football?

Underneath It All

I finally had the opportunity to stand directly below the London Eye. Up to this point I have only seen it from a distance. It is very large and I no longer feel the same sense of ugency to go on it. Fear of heights? Fear of the eye!

Southwark Cathedral

London at night. One of my flatmates and I decided to take a late evening walk along the Thames. As we exited the London Bridge underground station, this marvelously lit cathedral greeted us from across the street. This site was occupied by a church for over one thousand years! The numerous churches and cathedrals add so much character to the city.

Notting Hill

This area of London is just perfect. Crisp. White. Clean. Some places in the city feel like they could be anywhere in the world, just another place. But not Notting Hill. It is exclusive to London. When I was walking among the gorgeous houses, there was hardly anybody on the steets. It was a very serene experience.

Portobello Road Market

This market is located in the lovely Notting Hill. It proclaims to be the largest antique market in the world. I couldn't believe how British the market is. The tea cups, references to Wimbledon and rugby, the red telephone booth inspired exterior of the store...I wonder who Alice is?

Greenwich Park

One day I strolled down with a friend to a local park and we ended up on a hill overlooking the city. On top of this hill was the Royal Observatory. Our view was the Devonport House, the National Maritime Museum, and the beautiful Queen's House. Greenwich Park is the oldest of London's royal parks. And it is just a Sunday afternoon walk away from where I live.

Untitled I

I saw this wonderful sculpture when walking by the National Portrait Gallery in the Trafalgar Square. It is quite large and placed on a very tall pedestal. It is hard to see the figure's legs. The whiteness of the stone and the curvy forms contrast with the rest of the sharp and grey architectural features of the neighbouring Gallery and other buildings. I have noticed that pigeons like to sit on its head.

The Eye

Whenever I walk along the river, this structure is my guiding light. I can find my position according to its visual proximity from me. It is lit at night and often I can see it from where I live. Apparently there are hour long line ups to go on it and one must purchase tickets in advance. How many "spins" does one get? I am yet to try it. London's third eye.

Its London Time

I am very happy to finally be here in the UK. London is a very exciting city. So big. It is so easy to get lost in the city. And even easier to find your way back to the flat again. I have to keep remembering to look down once in a while. My head has been in the clouds since I've got here. The skyscape is crowded with ornamental buildings. Some of them even tell time.

Fate?

August 31. Moving day. Stuck in a friends' condo for hours downtown Toronto. Waiting for the gas leak to be repaired. What were the odds to park the truck a minute before the yellow police tape went up around the block? Thanks to the five great friends who have helped out with the move and kept me sane. Finished moving to H. at around midnight.

In The Air

This sculpture is installed in a lovely little courtyard with a waterfall by a French restaurant downtown. It hangs above everyone's heads and cannot be touched. I saw it being installed in the spring. It is my favourite out of all the sculptures I have come across so far in the city. I like to watch the squirrels react to it.

A Walk In The Park

Pretty colours in a local park. Only a few minutes away from where I currently live. During such beautiful summer days I tend to forget how harsh the winter can be. I cannot imagine this park decaying, dying, freezing... changing into a kind of a dark beauty.

I like the two distinctive scents of blooming flowers and car fumes mixing in the air. A perfect city scentscape.

My Auto Response

mmmm...The Power Plant. Once entered, the most perfectly delicious treat for the eyes. I really like the many gallery spaces it contains. I love the concrete floors and high ceilings. And the art is fine as well.

Saw an art exhibition. An important one for Toronto. What was interesting to me were the various odors inside each of the smaller rooms containing a projection. They were not familiar smells. And definitely not part of any artwork.

The Biggest Fan

I like structures. This one marks the entry (or departure) point to the city. Some days it rotates slowly and some days really fast. It is Toronto's only windmill. So lonely.

I like to follow it with my eyes for as long as I can while driving pass it in the car. Sometimes I lose it from my field of vision while under a bridge. But then I can see it again. It is awkward in the cityscape yet so graceful against the sky. A lovely landmark.

TickTock

ummm...so I guess this is what blogging is like? cool.
I am currently in Toronto but soon will be moving to London...England. So much to do before I go. Time is running away, forward, in a loop, however it is traveling, it is definitely escaping. A few weeks left here in Tee dot to figure "it all" out.
Wow, apparently I like to be vague.