This is going to sound silly since I’ve been living in London now since last September. However, there are times when I walk by a place and I think to myself, “Wow, I live in London!” Ever since I was a child, I wanted to live here. I don’t really have a reason, except that I thought it would be cool to be around so much history. I think my passion for reading is another big reason. I love English literature and I wanted to see the places that influenced many of my favorite authors.
My normal days though, I don’t really think about London. I get up, walk the dog, feed the dog and cat, eat breakfast, work, walk the dog, make dinner, do dishes, feed the dog and cat, watch a little TV, and then go to bed. My routine doesn’t include a moment to think, “Remember, you live in London.”
I’m trying to fix this since I want to appreciate it more. Last Friday I had an appointment in town and I decided to walk there. The Tube would have been faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fascinating as my walk.
I left my neighborhood when it stopped raining.
Here are some random shots I took along Kensington High Street.
The flower walk is one of my favorite parts of Kensington Gardens.
I walked by The Serpentine in Hyde Park. The swimming for the Triathlon will take place here this Saturday. Next weekend it will host the Marathon Swimming.
Then I passed Wellington Arch.
I missed the light to cross the street. A police officer stopped the cars and at first I thought he did to assist the tourists—the city is packed with tourists these days. Nope, he was helping these guys across the street.
There was some hoopla taking place at Buckingham Palace.
Soon after that, I found myself near Parliament and Big Ben. Olympic spirit is everywhere.
I wandered along The Thames to soak up some of the sights.
After my appointment, I headed to St. Paul’s to meet the better half.
Not a bad day out. Dude, I live in London!
50 Year Project 
Thanks for taking us on that walk around your city with you!
I understand exactly how you feel, TBM. Enjoy!
I’ll do my best to enjoy!
You should definitely contact your MP about getting a tour of Westminster. I did a tour through our MPs office and it was AMAZING. Seeing some of that history up close was great. We unfortunately weren’t able to go in Big Ben, but that was something that was mentioned as a potential option. I can’t remember why though.
I’m an American citizen. Will that still work for me? I would love to do it.
It worked for me (I’m an American citizen, but I was going to school over there). I did know someone who worked in his local office, so that might’ve helped. It never hurts to ask.
I’ll have to give it a go. Thanks!
I was afraid you weren’t going to make to your appointment! I too love British history.
It was close 😉
I would love to visit England one day. I have that same feeling – that I would love to live there, but don’t have a specific, pinpoint reason as to why. One day, maybe! One day. 🙂
I hope you do Kayla!
Pretty cool! I would live to live there too! I loved loving in Paris but that was years ago now.
I bet Paris was fun!
Fabulous pictures and great diary for future years when you look back at London 2012
I like that aspect of this blog…it’s like a journal I can browse in future years. Thanks Gerry!
It doesn’t sound silly at all! You live in a very cool place full of history! Of course you did when you lived in Boston as well, but the history there in London goes back so much farther. I would want to be as cognizant as I could of all the wonder around me if I lived there. Heck, I try to be that way living where I live in a place that has very little history by comparison.
I’ve been lucky to have lived in Boston and now London. I would love to see your home town Carl. I love to wander and to learn as much about different places. If I’m in your town, I’ll buy you a beer. Not sure if I’ll go running with you, but I would cheer you on!
You are so lucky, I wish I can live in Europe one day!
I hope you do!
What a great walk! Now it’s my turn to thank you for sharing. I wish I could have lived in London for a year. Paris too. And maybe New York. 🙂
Paris and New York would be awesome!
I love London! Thanks for the pix.
I can see why you love it. I do too!
It’s amazing what we see on foot, thanks for sharing the experience with us.
Traveling by foot is my favorite form of transportation. It’s the only one that doesn’t make me ill 🙂
I know what you mean – sometimes it´s good ot behave like a visitor to your home town!
It helps you appreciate it!
When talking about metropolis, the only two cities I would choose to live are Paris and London. Enjoy your London life!
Paris would be a wonderful place to live…maybe 🙂
What can I say but: You lucky fish!! 🙂
I like that phrase 🙂
This is such a great piece! It’s odd, but because I live in the UK I tend to always think about flying somewhere else for a visit. In fact I’ve only seen London as a child on a school trip – how disgraceful is that. Your pictures make me want to have a visit. Such a lot to see on one simple trip out.
Thanks for sharing.
Lynn 😀
I know what you mean, when I was in the States I always wanted to travel abroad. It’s easy to take your home for granted. I hope you visit London!
I’m so glad you love it here!
Me too! You never know what you’ll think until you’ve actually moved.
I love that you love where you live so much…I understand it completely. Such great shots…how do you ever actually get anywhere…I would always be delayed with taking photos…soaking it all in.
Now…you know I don’t usually do this but I couldn’t help myself because i want to see what you would come up with so….
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/red-white-yellow-blue-and-green-kiwi-style/
Let me see what I can come up with.
Awesome walk dude! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Dude, you’re welcome!
This was amazing, going on a tour with you through the streets of London. Thank you so much, this was wonderful
I’m glad that you enjoyed 🙂
WOW! This is a wonderful post and great photographs. I miss to be there… I love this beautiful land and her people… Thank you for this visual and virtual travel. Love, nia
I’m glad you liked it Nia.
So many iconic sites in one walk! I’d love to visit London again, your post planted a little seed of wanderlust for me 🙂
I hope you enjoy your wanderings!
You dear, dear man! I am so happy you took these wonderful photos of London and how it looks with the Olympics there. I love seeing the city through your eyes. You are a perfect tourist guide for a photo tour of the city. Thank you so much for sharing your photos.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks Francine. I’m so happy you enjoyed.
Dude, I’m so jealous. I always thought I wanted to live in London, too. I have always loved to visit and can’t wait to come back one day! 🙂
It’s a great town. I hope you do! Thanks Dude!
It’s nice to share in your joy!
Thanks Elisa!
I’d be so awestruck, I’d probably miss my appointment! You really do live in London! 🙂 The garden would certainly capture my attention.
I love the parks and gardens here!
totally awesome, such a great walk!!! thanks for sharing, maybe you can do it all again on a sunny day, but perhaps the overcast sky is more like London? so glad to see you appreciating living in one of the most exciting cities in the world 🙂
I’m hoping we’ll have a beautiful fall day with blue skies so I can get different shots. Thanks!
Nice walk, nice pictures 🙂 and especially, it’s nice to sit back occasionally and realize and appreciate what you have, where you are, whatever it may be. So good for you. And may I add: you live in London at a particularly historic, exciting (albeit tourist-ridden) time to boot! I’ve thought of you while watching the Olympics. TRACK CYCLING yay!!
Track cycling has been big here! So far the tourists during the Olympics haven’t been that bad. If you are around the venues you see them everywhere, but for the most part, it is quiet in other areas.
It’s a great place to live. I wouldn’t mind trying it out for a while. 🙂
And I would love to live in your town 🙂
Great photo essay. Loving the Kensington Garden shots as well as the Olympic spirit going on there 🙂
Kensington Gardens never disappoints me. I’ve visited in all four seasons and no matter what, it always looks beautiful. And the Olympic spirit is awesome. That’s what the games are all about.
Cool walk. Wish I could have gone with you.
Thanks! I hope you can do the walk sometime.
Actually, you may have inspired me. There are a lot of places in America I’d like to see. I’m starting a list. Before the world, I’m going to start here. There may be a blog soon about it. I’m still think on it.
I have to consider time and money.
If you do start a travel blog let me know. I would love to follow it! And there are so many wonderful places to see in America. I hope to see much more of it over the years. I love travel, even if it is just wandering through my own neighborhood. All experiences should be cherished and are valuable ways to learn. I wish you luck!
Great set of photos presenting Your London. Well done!
Thanks. It was a fun outing.
This is a great post. I actually just created a blog for when I study abroad in London next Spring. It’s cool to experience a perspective of somebody who lives in London. Your so lucky to be there during the Olympics. Your post makes me excited to go! I would love to hear some tips/advice for when I am living there.
Congrats on your study abroad. I was so excited when I knew I was going to move to London. A blog is a great way to share your experiences! My best piece of advice is to get out of your flat and go for long walks (time permitting) and to see as much as possible. I have travel guide books, which are helpful, but I really enjoy seeing what I can get into just by rambling. I wish you luck and Spring will be here before you know it. It’s starting to feel like autumn in London. Keep in touch!
Great realization (hahahaha) and equally lovely photos. Oftentimes, there are so many things we get to take for granted as we get wrapped up in our little routines. But this post of yours is a reminder of the things to look out for and celebrate in our own cities. 🙂
Routine, while good on one hand, doesn’t offer much for inspiration. I like to take time to remember and to appreciate.
Thanks for sharing! I have been to London a few times along my Heavy touring days in a professional ballet company! I too found myself infatuated by this incredible and historic city! Excellent pics and articulation! Felt I too was walking about!
Touring with a ballet company sounds pretty exciting. Thanks!
Very cool place! You captured it well in your photos!
Thanks…there was so much going on that day.
I am so envious 🙂 Enjoyed walking with you TBM!
I’m glad 🙂
It’s good to know that you have time to appreciate the place where you currently live. Most people get used to where they are that they fail to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. They don’t realize that a lot of people out there could’ve been dreaming that someday, they could visit that place and all that.
I want to visit London someday too. I want to see all those great places that have been a great part of History and the places that the authors I admired lived or drew inspiration from (like you, I love history and English Literature). I wonder, have you visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum? I heard there was one there, I’m not sure exactly where though. I hope they have a 221B Baker street too, 😀
I haven’t done the Sherlock stuff yet since I’m hoping to read some of the stories this fall. Then I would love to go. I’ll have to let you know all about it. I really hope you get a chance to visit London. It is a fun place to visit.
Gooo! It’s a must-read! Well, for me, that is. 😀 When you do have the time to read it by then, I hope you find it wonderful. 🙂 London is one of the places I’d love to visit one day. 🙂
Very well said, in both word and picture. You have conveyed your feelings well. Thanks.
And thanks for your like.
thank you!