What’s sentimental for one person, might not be for another. My recent overnight visit to London had me surprising myself by the photos I took—what I might not have given any special attention to, on a daily basis, when living there. I was a student in London from 1979 - 1981, and my recollections go back to then.
Unfortunately, the shots in this blog entry (taken in less than 24 hours) could only cover a fraction of the city, from Picadilly to Bloomsbury.
Nothing seems to change with Fortnum and Mason, at least externally. Its neighbor Simpsons was turned into Waterstones a while back (making it the biggest bookstore in Europe), giving Picadilly a slightly different feel.
Something that will never move from directly across the street is the Royal Academy.

My timing was lucky! I got to catch the exhibit, Impressionists by the Sea. I also got to dash through the National Portrait Gallery. However, a display in the lobby from the book cover of Zerbanoo Gifford’s new book, Confessions to a Serial Womaniser made me slow down for a moment. Her wall-like display of womens’ faces made me think of my wall-like display of food options (my upcoming Florence Biennale exhibit, Buon Appetito!)
And talking of food, Food for Thought, an old vegetarian haunt of mine (close to Covent Garden) looked exactly the same (from the outside). Too early to go in, they were stocking up…

Neal’s Yard, a well-known health food establishment is also still there. But, it has evolved—looks (and tastes) a little less "natural" (according to my memories).

Covent Garden seems to be changing all over, but not Floral Street, where The Sanctuary (a pioneering spa) looks like it’s still going strong—with Agnes B, Campers, Radley, and more, all at close proximity.

The Covent Garden Market area, itself, has been spruced up. Arriving before opening hours, I got to see the merchants setting out their wares. It’s quite a job unpacking and repacking every day!

Wandering from the main area, I felt the cobblestones beneath my feet. What history they hold! Who has walked over them before? Who is walking over them now? How long can they stay as they are?

In London, history and modernity dance before our eyes, as do traditions, habits, and brand development. Other coffee shops, chains and one-of-a-kind (Café Nero, The Brew Café, Cafe Life, Espresso Capucino) give Starbucks a lot of competition.

Long "tea breaks" still seem to be popular with workmen, throughout the day.

And, after work, it’s the pub. Beer drinkers spill out onto the street to enjoy a balmy September evening (after a rotten-weather summer):

Then there’s all the theaters, large and small. What fun to be able to go and see something light! Boeing Boeing was at the Comedy Theater on Panton Street—a charming setting for an evening’s entertainment.

By the way, though Bloomsbury and its adjacent neighborhoods may be a little off the well-beaten tourist path (except for the landmark British Museum), it’s worth a meander. Check out all the eating options on and around Charlotte Street…as well as the picturesque side-lanes. Then there’s Dr. Marie Stopes’ first birth control clinic.

You never realize the contrasts you’ll notice when you keep your eyes open—things that have always been there, but might not have attracted attention or mention, previously (like this "lady of the night").