August 8th 2005

What was meant to be a quick trip to the GNC store in Bond Street tube turns out to be a wonderful day out in the city.At Liverpool street we realise that being Sunday,Spitalfields is open and take the short walk across the street to this old fashioned flea market that has come to symbolise the eclectic appeal of Londons East End. Spitalfields has everythingto offer that any lover of flea markets would look for. Old books, grunge clothing, records, oriental stuff and above all a tandoori hut that sells Roti and chana masala that is more indian than bangladeshi. (The calendar in the shop has a Brick lane address).The place is a more traditional market and does not have the 'hippie joint' kind of ambience that camden market has. Worth checking out.

Trafalgar square -
Where have all the pigeons gone? The pigeons that Amrish Puri religiously fed before going past Hyde Park to his book shop (or was it a grocery store??) in DDLJ have all but dissapeared. Is it a reflection of the times that the birds which symbolise peace have deserted the place? Bring back the pigeons. Trafalgar Square aint the same without them.

At Trafalgar there is a group of four women in jihab by the fountain having their ice-creams and taking pictures. One of their friends goes somewhere and returns wailing loudly - alarmingly loudly. She animatedly narrates the cause of her excitement to her mates (in arabic). They look equally perturbed.This immediately draws attention.There are curious looks all over the place. But no 'You awright' comes forth.

St James park : We take the short cut from Trafalgar square to the park since the tired limbs are screaming for some rest. A band called 'The Kibworth Band' is playing some old fashioned jazz. The Sun, the ice- cream and the music ....!!!

Is there anyone who would agree with me that the London Eye is a hideous eyesore to the otherwise marvellous central london skyline? Whoever came up with the obnoxious idea of an ugly giant wheel..err..observation tower by the Thames right in the midst of some of the greatest gothic architecture of all times has done a great disservice to the sheer majesty of Central London.Common guys...it is here that you have the historic St Pauls dome, the awe inspiring Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminister abbey - the silent yet strong Thames meandering by them - each evoking a period and lending a quiet dignity to the place. Now dont get me wrong.I am not a purist condeming elements of modernity in traditional environments. The Swiss Re headquarters or the Charing cross station for instance seem to blend seamlessly with their surroundings but the London eye sticks out like an ugly appendage.

On my way home I realise it is exactly a month since the blasts. It is hard to say that the city is back to its throbbing vivacious self.It is getting there but London is still not the same . No I havent had to suffer suspicious looks. I havent been sized up while taking the tube. The haunting strains of the violin andthe energetic strumming of the guitar by street musicians are back.Yet there is this spooky feel that continues to haunt tube stations. Westminister isnt as crowded as you would expect a bright and sunny sunday to be . I dont see a lot of tourists other than the indefatigable chinese back packer.The ever smiling mallu lass at Kerala restuarant tells me that Business is completely down.