A Quaint City

This city might be massive, but I have not once been overwhelmed by its size. Unlike other cities I’ve visited, which shall remain unnamed, I feel at home here.

I think this partly has to do with the many boroughs that make up London. Altogether, there are 33. As these areas of the city developed in the past, the suburb became a prominent part of its makeup. London has mastered this notion of “suburb” in my view, as it is has developed into an amalgamated city--a moving organism with a priceless pulse. This is a true feat, considering the tremendous variety of cultures and social class that give this city such esteem.

               

Still, I have not been nearly as homesick as I originally thought I would be and I do believe the community-oriented nature of London has a lot to do with this. Londoners have local libraries, pubs and so on, which they frequent, and this localization is what gives the feeling of home.

A summer evening in Hyde Park, where many Londoners come to relax 

               

Just the other day, I was browsing the surplus of books in a library near the West End and I decided to grab a cup of coffee in the café there. I was low on cash and without thinking, handed the cashier my credit card. “We don’t except cards here.” she said. (This always seems to happen the one time you forget to ask.) She picked up on my somewhat panicked look and told me not to worry because I could pay her back later that day or even the next. So, I excused myself to the nearest ATM, coffee in hand.

               

Londoners might not be known for their customer service skills, but they truly are kind individuals. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to walk away with that coffee at home in the States.

I have said it several times before and I’m positive I will say it again: this city is diverse. The East End is an entirely different world compared to the centre of London. Yet, London is ultimately tied together by many means--through the commuter who frequents these various sectors, through the communicator who reflects and discusses them and through the common citizen who can only do so much as gaze at the greatness of this city. Yes, London is great.