Tired of life but not of London!
Published: Feb 16, 2011 18:40 Updated: Feb 16, 2011 18:40
In a month that marked the wettest day of the year in the UK, historians at a school argued that Britain's imperial past has been ignored for too long and should be reinstated at the core of secondary school curriculum.
It's probably a sign of the times that having waited in the wings for so many decades, heir to the British throne Prince Charles has agreed to become the Sarpanch of a high-tech village in India. Well, if not the king, at least the position of village head awaits Prince Charles. The days of the Raj are here again! A local newspaper reported that after four decades since the imperial flag was hauled down from classroom walls across Britain, the empire looks like striking again.
London is not just the capital of what was once Great Britain. It ranks as one of the world's oldest and most historic cities. London traces its history back nearly 2,000 years. Over the years, it became the center of Britain's enormous overseas empire and the home of many of the world's greatest artists, poets, writers, scientists and statesmen.
Well, whether the empire strikes or not, it seems since the beginning of last summer — as in previous years — tourists have definitely run over the British capital. Every year millions of tourists visit London to see such historic sights like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London.
Buckingham Palace has long been the London home of Britain's monarchs, including the present Queen Elizabeth II. When the Queen celebrates her birthdays and jubilees, it's not just a piece of news story for the world media. Many from overseas visit the city to join in the festivities.
Living in London today, we find what we may think of as local is in fact a part of the whole country's global image. For example, our everyday experience of riding the red double-decker bus, using the black taxi, driving along in a Mini Cooper, going up the London Eye, walking past a red telephone box or just setting our watches by the Big Ben.
These images appear usual and ordinary for those who come across them daily, but to millions of tourists that visit London, it's all a part of the history of the city. All these aspects add to the exclusive feeling — the London atmosphere.
Home away from Home
However, it's not too late for the empire to strike back. On the contrary, people from different countries that once formed the British Empire have followed their former rulers and settled here. As a result, London has become an exciting cosmopolitan city with a multicultural society — enriching the already wonderful city.
Today one need not travel abroad to get a taste of Arab, Asian, Chinese, Mexican or Japanese cuisine and culture. One can enjoy everything from a Moroccan souk to a Delhi bazaar right here.
Moroccans first came to London in the late 1960s and early 70s. Most of those who settled around Golborne Road came from Larache, a small town near Tangier. Some 5,000 Moroccans are said to be living in North Kensington and the Golborne Road area. It has become their shopping and business center. Butcher shops selling halal meat, cafes serving couscous, tagine and flat breads have become favorite haunts for those with a taste for North African cuisine.
Those shops are pretty authentic right down to price haggling. The places cater for the locals and the tourists. Even fashionable interlopers like and attempt to capture some of the ambience.
However, nothing can prepare you for the colorful bazaar of Southhall Broadway and its dizzying mixture of sari centers, sweetmeat stores, balti, kulcha and pani puri houses offering every type of cuisine from the Indian subcontinent — from vegetarian thali to brain masala.
A tide of colorfully dressed people adds to the scene, buying fabric or the latest Hindi music from Bollywood. It's estimated that there are around 2 million people of South Asian origin living in London and the majority make a visit down to Southall during the weekends. Depending on where you come from, it's the Chandni Chowk of Delhi, Amritsar market or Lahore's Anarkali — all in west London.
If you are tired of curry and brain masala, you can jump on a red bus and travel to Little Tokyo or Little Saigon. Little Tokyo can be seen behind the suburban facades — a number of Japanese business houses have sprung up between Ealing Common and West Acton.
Travel to Hackney in North London where you will find yourself in Little Saigon — home to the majority of refugees from North Vietnam. Here, one can find a network of cafes and restaurants. In the market along the streets of the area you can find star fruit, lychees and fresh mint. If that doesn't tickle your fancy you can always get your hair done at Dzung Salon while listening to the latest Saigon pop or have your nails taken care of at one of the many nail bars.
But no write-up on London can be considered complete without the mention of Little Arabia around Marble Arch and Queensway. Edgware Road in London's West End by far attracts more tourists from the Middle East than any other region. Like in Jeddah, Kuwait or Dubai, Edgware Road's sheesha parlours and shawermah joints are open until the early morning. Along the pavement, people of different age groups who are dressed in their best and carry worry beads shop or just shop around. Here East — err Middle East — meets the West.
If you have been following the news about some people suggesting that Queen Elizabeth II abdicate in favor of Prince Charles, you would know how the Queen feels. Some Londoners may be tired of her, but she is not tired of London — at least not yet!
— The author is an academic, writer & critic.
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R. MOSHARRAF
Feb 19, 2011 12:19
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