03 January 2013

The first day of the year

The requisite New Year's Eve party and celebration took place the night before, so it was no surprise that we did not stir until noon or noon-thirty the next day. Once Ally, JJ, Allen and I were finished with breakfast around 3:15pm, Ally and I decided to take a walk before it got too dark. We walked down along by the river, and it was delightful.
The weather was crisp, dry and not too windy. It was a perfect day for a walk.
We started in the neighborhoods near Ally and JJ's house. I enjoyed looking at the houses, they all sat up against the street and did not look big from the front. However, being that they are row houses, most of them were deceptive in appearance and most likely quite roomy inside.
Ally talked about the building of the area. She told me how this area had once been farmland, and tracts of land were sold to builders who would build maybe 4 houses, usually all 4 of the same design. One might be left facing, and the other right facing, but otherwise the same. In some cases, one might find the same house design later on in the same street or on a nearby street, if the builder bought more land. Some of the houses had years carved into them so that you had an idea when they were built.
Most of the houses were from the 1800s, but every so often one came across houses that were much newer. We speculated as to why these houses might be newer: fire, bombing, disrepair/rebuild. As one walked, one could also see the trends at the time they were built. For example, in one section, almost every house had a front window that stuck out a bit and above it was an alcove with circles carved into the facade. Some houses had intricate design work and tiles underneath the roof. Others were more plain. It was obvious which houses were being cared for, and which had housed students for a number of years. My favorite house had a huge rosebush growing above the front door and on the wall. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be when the sun is shining and they are in bloom!












After walking through the neighborhoods, we walked along the river. The river that runs through Cambridge is the River Cam. Like Oxford, punting is a favorite pasttime along that river. We saw large houses lit up and reflecting in the river. Many of them had entire glass walls along the riverside of the house. We also saw a wooden house (well the ground level was bricked) that seemed to grow out of the riverbank. The design was so unique, it reminded me of something that Frank Lloyd Wright would design. But I do not think it was his.









As we walked along the Cam, we also came across another style of house: riverboats. The idea of a house you can take along with you as you travel the canals and rivers is very appealing. I should like to try this one day. The riverboats were all sizes and colors, some looked occupied and well kept, while others looked more like they had been abandoned since the cold weather hit. Some of them had porthole windows (and larger windows) that one could see in to get an idea of what life in a riverboat must be like. Cozy for sure!



As we walked further, the sun began to set, and one could see Cambridge University silhouetted in the distance. It was beautiful.






We turned townwards to begin our loop home. The streets were lit up and it was clear that some shops and cafes had been open on this first day of 2013. Other places were closed, ready for the big sales to begin on the 2nd of January. It was fun to do a bit of window shopping and pose under the decorative lights. Cambridge is by far one of my favorite places to walk around. I love the mixture of old and new, the tradition and modern side by side. I enjoy the atmosphere, the bikes, the energy and life one finds in this city. It was a perfect way to spend the first day of 2013.






Cambridge makes you smile, and as evidenced by the graffiti below, it knows it!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Cambridge, England

01 January 2013

Camden Town Market

Dec 30, 2012:
Vee and I spent a lovely day in London. We quite enjoy our days out, and often try to see a show. But this time, we decided to go somewhere, where neither of us had been. When you consider how frequently she goes to London, and how many of the touristy things I've done, finding something that neither of us has done is amazing. That something was to visit the Camden Town Markets.
After a lovely lunch with my friends Anca and Doru from Romania, we set off for the markets.







These markets are nothing less than eclectic! Are you a skater, looking for clothes? - done! Are you an educator, looking for school appropriate dresses (Vee and I were!)? - done! Are you a designer, looking for unique pieces of art, bedding and furniture for a house? - done! Are you a Mum, looking for kids clothes and toys? - done! Are you a teenager looking for cool iPhone cases and hoodies? - done! Are you an older woman looking for jewelry? - done! And the list goes on.... if you can think of it, you can probably find it there.

The market was an outdoor market, centered around the locks (they appeared to still be in working order). It wound it's way through the streets and up and down stairs. One might think they had seen it all, but turn a corner and there was so much more to be seen. Some of the shops were big, others were tiny closets under a set of stairs, and yet others were stands out in the open.










It was one of those places, where not only is haggling acceptable, but expected. One should not buy something from the first place they see it, as you might find a better deal at another stand. For example, Vee and I were looking at cotton dresses. We saw some, liked them, and moved on. Then we went to another stand and saw that these dresses were on offer at a 2 for price. But we didn't like those as much as at the first stand. However, armed with that information, we went back to the first place, where they wanted 15 (or was it 18) quid per dress, but we managed to bargain with the seller, 2 for 25. So Vee and I got them for 12.50 each. Another case in point, Vee was looking for a new case for her iPhone and really liked the wooden cases. As she asked around, she heard prices of 25L and 20L, which was really too much. However her persistence paid off, as she ended up with a really lovely wooden case for 15L. (I must admit I considered one for myself). This type of bargaining, looking around, wandering and not immediately buying was enjoyable!

As we arrived at the market, it was already getting dark, and there were lights everywhere. The way it was lit up and the smells of the various foods the market sold made for such a great atmosphere, that one could almost forget they were in the middle of central London!
















Inside the market was beautiful as well. One part of the market had carved wood ceilings and stairwells. Another part had seating made from the backs of motorcycles. Unique!






The market itself was not the only area that was decorated and unique. The streets leading up to the actual market were full of shops that did not scrimp on making themselves stand out. Large items (such as shoes and dragons) stuck out from these buildings, beckoning customers to come hither.












Overall, we spent about 1 1/2 to 2 hours at the market and only saw maybe a quarter of it. We decided it was definitely one of those places, where each time you return, you would find something new and that if you found something you really liked, you must get it on that trip, as you might never see it again. We also agreed, that it was a place to which both of us would like to return.

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Location:Camden Town Locks, London