London
CHAPTER PREFACE:
A CHARACTER’S ACCOUNT OF LONDON
“London is the kind of city that’s different every time I go. I used to live in London for brief periods of time, flying in and out for work. It reminded me of a topsy-turvy New York.
I lived in East Hoxton, close to Shoreditch (basically Hackney). East London is considered artsy and a creative hub, where a lot of popular restaurants and clubs are located. Kind of like what Bushwick is to New York City.
Different areas of London can be very different—for example, West London is posh (Chelsea, Notting Hill, Mayfair), Soho and Covent Garden are central hubs and tourist hotspots, Camden is gritty and full of music, the list goes on. I used to go running all the time on a path next to the Thames River, the views are stunning.
There is a strong pub culture. Sunday Roasts are a big thing, and a cozy experience with friends or family. Fish and chips are classic. Of course, like any big city, London has a big art scene, and a healthy amount of theater and concerts.
I love the diversity and the multicultural neighborhoods. But there’s so much to say about London, and so much history there, you’ll have to check it out for yourself!”
ON THE WALL:
(ACTUAL BOOK TEXT)
What could taste better, these days, than a nice glass of Rioja?
She sells it in three clean syllables that sound jagged coming out of her mouth, rough like the slender cigarettes she smokes, but gentle, like the overall smell of her.
I’d now come to realize that I am attracted to old souls, maybe because they feel most at peace.
Benevolent, easy, lovely, full of colors, dimensions, perspectives, angles, wishes and wills, penchants, whimsical whims, and comical self-awareness.
If I am to borrow a few words, then,
“For the rest of my life, I was like a tree struck by lightning.”
BEHIND THE TEXT
The London wall was painted in East Hoxton, near the Columbia Rd. Flower market.
This page of the book is a letter from one character to another, describing a newfound love.
In cliche fashion, they meet in Notting Hill, a natural setting for charming encounters. Their story expands to Angel, Soho, Elephant and Castle, and other neighborhoods, including of course, East Hoxton.
Follow the story for an idyllic stroll around some of London’s most iconic spots.