Walk # 10

Holland Park Walk: Entrances

Life in London can be busy, hectic and stressful.  Residents find it necessary to escape the crazy life of a Londoner by finding peace and solace in the many parks that are scattered throughout the city.  Holland Park is one of these parks, though it is set apart from some of the larger more visited parks like Hyde and Kensington.  Holland Park is filled with wildlife and gardens that make the environment extremely peaceful and provides the perfect escape.  When one comes to Holland Park, they truly "enter" into a new, peaceful and relaxed world.  This entrance is necessary to maintain some level of sanity in the chaotic world in which we live.  

Photo 1: The homes along the Holland Park walk are unlike any other in London.  Their entrances/doors vary in color and make each house unique from each other. 

Photo 2: An Entrance to a local school provides a place for students to learn and grow

Photo 3: This is an entrance to a church.  Churches, much like parks, provide an escape from busy and hectic life.  

Photo 4: Many entrances lead to areas blocked off from view until once through the gate. This example along the walk held a mystery behind its door. 

Photo 5: One might pass by this small iron gate as they rush along the sidewalk and miss the small gem of a park contained within. 

Photo 6: This entrance to Holland Park is through a beautiful wrought-iron fence. Hedges line the path as it leads to Holland Park. 

Photo 7:  The Entrance to the Peace Garden within Holland Park contains signs reminding visitors to remain quiet.  The Peace Garden is filled with fountains, streams, and landscaping to aid in the relaxation of visitors. 

Photo 8: The Entrance to Holland Park from the busy road of High Street Kensington. 

Walk # 9

Transportation in Little Venice

Little Venice was originally built in 1801 to serve as a connecting canal with the Grand Junction Canal and the several other canals that were covering England.  Canals still remain in Little Venice today, and though they do not serve as high a volume of traffic as they did two centuries ago, varying forms of transportation are still clearly evident throughout the beautiful area.  From the speeding motorcyclist weaving in and out of the traffic, to the patient woman waiting for the bus, the streets of Little Venice are filled with people traveling everywhere!   It is hard to believe such a quaint and hidden treasure is just miles from the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets of London.  

Photo 1: The London Underground will get you almost anywhere in the city, including Little Venice! 

Photo 2: Streets of Little Venice are much quieter than those in the city of London. 

Photo 3:  A motorcyclist rushes by the canals on one of Londoner's favorite methods of transportation. 

Photo 4: Bicyclers can be seen all over Little Venice traveling home, going to work, and enjoying a beautiful fall day. 

Photo 5: London is famous for its black taxis colored in memory of Prince Albert. 

Photo 6: Boats still travel up and down the canals today and serve many purposes including homes, transportation of goods, and entertainment. 

Photo 7: Little Venice is an expensive neighborhood to live in and the cars that line the streets prove it. 

Photo 8:  Bus stops are found all over Little Venice and connect it to London. 

Walk #8

Worship in London

After being in London for several months, it is easy to see the importance of religion and worship to the people of England.  There are beautiful, grand churches that are centuries old all over the city of London and small, quaint churches tucked down back streets and alleyways. Religion and the Church have played a prominent role in the history of England and have shaped the past and future of the country.  Though religion plays a key role in the lives of the British, it is not always in the typical worshipping fashion. Some in fact place science before God in worship and beliefs. Others use research, education and study as their form of worship and believe in fact that this is the highest power.  No matter if it is the traditional worship or a belief in science as opposed to God, the British believe in a higher power and knowledge.  While doing the Museum walk in South Kensington, I went by several churches and places of worship. It was interesting to see the varying religions represented from the Church of England, to our beloved Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Photo 1: The Hyde Park Building is a welcomed sight of familiarity to a Mormon like me. 
Photo 2: The Churches are often not just one building, but occupy a large area of land, including classrooms, offices, and meeting rooms.  
Photo 3: Peaceful spaces such as parks surround many churches to provide a place for quiet prayer and thought. 
Photo 4: Churches in London can often almost spring out of nowhere, sometimes almost large and overwhelming in the small quite neighborhoods. 
Photo 5: The Brompton Oratory Church is the second largest Roman Catholic church in London. 
Photo 6: John Henry Newman is a beloved convert from the Anglicanism to the Roman Catholic Church. 
Photo 7: The Natural History Museum, though as grand and elaborate a building as many churches, provides a different form of worship and praise for many. 
Photo 8: This Church of England church is across the street from the Imperial College of London.  

Walk # 7

American Influence in London

            The influence and spreading of American companies to England is evident throughout the city. The West End and theatre district showcases the extreme American influence on London perhaps more than any other area. This area, which is often compared to New York City's Times Square, is full of advertisements, shops, and eating establishments that are straight from America. Every single corner seems to have a Starbucks on it, and one can always find a McDonalds to satisfy their American fast-food desires. Enormous chain stores have also made their way from across the pond causing the more traditional "mom and pop" stores to be run out of business due lower prices and better selection. Several Broadway shows that are set in America have also made their way to the West End including Chicago, Jersey Boys, and Hairspray.  The importance of American politics to the British has also been extremely evident over the last week with the Presidential election and success of Barack Obama.  Every newspaper, magazine, and news program was covered with election coverage and Londoners were paying attention to every moment of it.  As an American visiting London, it is sometimes easy to forget that we are in fact in a different country, and not just another big diverse city like New York City. 

Photo 1: Just like in America, there is a Starbucks on every corner

Photo 2: Massive stores like Borders are running the smaller, more traditional stores out of business. 

Photo 3: London loves Vermont's very own ice cream Ben & Jerry's.

Photo 4: McDonald's famous golden arches are everywhere

Photo 5: Utah's famous KFC has even made its way across the pond. 

Photo 6: London loves the glam and the glitz of Hollywood. 

Photo 7: The Jersey Boys have come to the West End! 

Photo 8: OBAMA! America finally got it right.