December meme #5

[gwyn]

For today, chelletoo asked: What is your favourite city that you've visited? and what makes it your favourite?

I haven't done nearly the traveling that I would like to do as an adult, and a lot of the places I saw were when I was too young to appreciate them. But if I had to pick one city, it would be London. It's just so amazing, so much history and culture, and I live in a place that as a modern, western-style city is relatively new. It has easy public transportation, which we also don't have, so you can get so many places so quickly and simply, it has tons of parks and public spaces, and there's always something going on, so many choices for something to do. I like how it's such a cultural melting pot, with so many kinds of people. I never get bored there, even just wandering around aimlessly. There's incredible shopping, of course, which I love to do, and wonderful places to get food--I've started out in one part of town and eaten my way across to another, much farther away part of town, and I always love doing that.

It's easy to make fun of it in some ways, with the whole Old Blighty thing/the Fog, but I think it's really quite beautiful, especially when you're walking across a bridge on the Thames and you see parts of the city from the river. It's definitely crowded, and noisy, and so busy it can be overwhelming, but overall, I just love it and if that was the only place I ever got to go to in the future, I'd probably be happy.

Comments

[king_touchy]

My favorite city is Prague. One reason is that I have loved ones I can visit there who know the place and language. On my own I still love Prague, but the added dimension of experiencing it as a native makes the experience amazing.

I've been to London once, and it's the city I'd love to visit again -- which I wouldn't need a translator, at least, though a guide would be awesome.

[gwyn]

Prague is definitely on my short list of cities to visit. I really, really want to go there.

[loki_of_sassgaard]

Man, the closest I have been to London is owning a London Fog coat. I hardly travel at all.

[gwyn]

Hah! Well, I know some people who just watch Google street view videos as their preferred method of travel!

[loki_of_sassgaard]

Oh man, that just reminds me of Mapcrunch, and the time Tumblr broke it. I got so addicted to that stupid game, it's not even funny.

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

London is one of my favorite urban spaces, too.

I never get bored there, even just wandering around aimlessly.

Just that! I actually think London is as it's best once you've seen all the 'big sights' once, and you can just go, and drift, and catch a play or exhibition, and sit around in a coffe shop reading, and just doing where you're fancy takes you that day.

I also love that most of the big museums are free (and conveniently located) - great spaces to hang out if there's a sudden shower, or you feeling chilly. I love just wandering into the National Gallery, check out a room or two, and then come back some other time. It's like a gift that gives on giving....

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yes, the free museums, and the ones that aren't are not that expensive and always worth the money, anyway (my favorite place is the Courtauld Gallery).

[sperrywink]

I had bad PMS the first time I visited London, but enjoyed the subsequent times a lot. And you are right the public transit is aces.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Since I live in a place without decent public transit (our bus system is a a joke, though there are some who think it's wonderful), my love of the Tube knows no bounds. I like DC's Metro as well, but there are large areas of the city where it doesn't go, so that's a drawback.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

My home town!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! I think about moving there from time to time. Almost did, in the '90s. But I doubt it's much more than a fantasy really.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

The price of accommodation there, it's a fantasy for most of us - I don't live tin London, I was just born there.

[chelletoo.livejournal.com]

London is also one of my favourite cities.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I don't understand people who don't like it! Or at least some part of it, anyway.