London: The Ultimate Survivor
Few cities in the world can truly arouse emotions: romantic dreams, adventurous spirit, waves of excitement, even pangs of envy. Over time, they have become the inspiration for novels and movies, the obsessions of voracious warmongers, and the marketing tools of television producers who flash their images on our screens to make us say, “Oh, this must be international news.” important and credible. show that covers big stories as they happen” and “Smashing! This travel show has really been to some great places, let’s see where they venture tonight.”
However, you can only tell you’ve made it a great city when they write a lullaby over one of your bridges, even when it’s falling down. London is the last survivor. He has endured and overcome conquests, wars, fires, plagues, terrorism, youth movements, repeated sports defeats hand in hand with victory, even Chris De Burgh singing Lady in Red at the top of the charts for three weeks.
Through it all, Londoners have remained proud and defiant as they adapt and continue to build their fair city. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, this huge city offers the traveler a mix of old and new worlds like nowhere else. On the one hand, London is innovative, energetic, dynamic and outrageous; on the other, historical, conservative and frustratingly established. A mix of anticipated and unexpected successes, but rarely disappointing, and those who live here wouldn’t have it any other way.
Most people know a little about London even before they formally introduce themselves. They can be the familiar symbols of royalty, bowler hats, well-mannered cricket gentlemen, wealthy ladies, majestic castles, the flowing Thames, tennis at Wimbledon, afternoon tea and scones, monopoly board landmarks, West End and East End humor that spring to mind. It could be the cobblestone streets of Dickens, the passionate football fans, the fish and chips dipped in vinegar, the subway labyrinth, or the cultural phenomena and festivals that celebrate music for decades, from the ’60s to punk rock. the 70s. new romantic hairstyles from the 80s and pop, indie rock, dance and hip hop from the 90s and beyond.
More than this, the city is famous for its rich history and culture. As home to Britain’s national art collections, striking architecture, over 200 museums, the world’s leading theater productions, 5 major orchestras, 2 major opera companies; there is something for visitors of all historical and artistic persuasions. Anyone familiar with TV shows and movies set in the city might think that we spend all our time in our local pub telling jokes and hard-luck stories, or trading goods that conveniently fall out of the back of a lorry.
In fact, there are more parks and green spaces in London than in any city of its size in the world, where we stroll, picnic and play, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, before the pub opens anyway. The city is nirvana for shopaholics – just ask any woman armed with a credit card and the lamest of excuses to spend a spree. From department stores to designer boutiques to street markets, if you can’t find it in London, it probably doesn’t exist. And once you’ve lugged all that swag back to your hotel, there are hundreds of restaurants, pubs, cinemas, nightclubs, live music, and comedy venues to keep you entertained into the wee hours of the morning. London has also embraced multiculturalism like few other places in the world. It has become a cultural melting pot with over 10 million people from all over the world now calling it home.
The integration of Western cultures with people from Africa, the West Indies and throughout Asia has transformed the city into one of the most diverse destinations for first-time travelers and the millions of thousands who return year after year. “Just stop there, old friend” I hear you say. “This is all pretty charming and heartwarming and patriotic, but you didn’t even mention how damn expensive the place is!” Actually, we were getting to that part.
It is true. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, painfully for some. In fact, it is rumored that instead of wearing whips and chains, the London dominatrix now stands by very grimly as she converts international clients’ travel expenses from the ruthless English pound to her submissive local currency with a leather-wrapped calculator. Oh! London is a lot of fun, so if you are visiting or planning to visit, you will have a great time.