London Markets

So far one of my favorite things about London is the markets. Borough Market is probably my favorite. It's walking distance from my flat and it's fabulous. I could easily spend so much money there, but I mostly go to get free samples. They have every type of food imaginable. You can get produce and meat and fish, but there's also lots of prepared foods and bakery goods. My favorite things are the chocolate and cheese stands and seeing the crazy stuff available at the butcher's (see the background photo on this page) and at the fishmonger (there was a whole shark one week). It's the type of place that I can absolutely picture Anthony Bourdain visiting. I've been twice already but need to go back since I've yet to try the paella, which looks amazing, or the beer shops.

Another market that's pretty fantastic is Camden Market, which is quite different. It has pretty much everything--clothing, jewelry, antiques, ethnic food stalls, home goods--and you can very quickly get totally lost in the many alleys and streets that seem to go on forever. I've wandered around there two separate times for a total of at least four or five hours and still haven't seen everything. Not even close. So the stuff they offer is fantastic (last time I tried on fascinators--those funky British hats people wear to weddings--and then discovered a stand with tons of Star Wars paraphernalia), but my favorite part of going to Camden Market is seeing the people there. It is by far the most eccentric grouping of people I've ever seen. You get your typical tourists, but then you also get the punks with their two-foot tall mohawks, goths, ravers, and girls in old-fashioned ruffled dresses. The contrasts are really something.

London is full of (awesome) weirdos

In the past couple of days I have witnessed a number of interesting individuals around London. Granted, London is a really diverse, eclectic place, so I really shouldn't be surprised by the "interesting" people I see, but I still think they're worth remarking on. Plus, once you get jaded about life here, there's probably not much out there that would interest you.

Anyway, unusual suspect number one was, in a nutshell, Neo from the Matrix. Just walking down the street, slicked back hair, all black clothing, and, of course, a full-length black leather trench coat. I had to contain my urge to ask him where Agent Smith was.

The same day that this occurred, I also saw Marilyn Monroe. Driving in a bubblegum pink convertible, red lipstick, perfect blond curls. I was mostly just impressed that someone would be so committed to their persona that they would buy a vintage, bubblegum pink convertible to match. Impressive.

And lastly, this final encounter wasn't weird so much as just wonderful and entertaining. I was riding on the tube and there was a group of three middle-aged guys with instruments, guitars and a fiddle I think. Now usually, when there are people playing instruments on the trains it can be rather awkward because they'll be asking for money and everyone will kind of look awkwardly around, trying to avoid their gaze. This time was different though; it just seemed like these guys were playing for the fun of it. Even the suits, who are notoriously straight-faced and rather glum were smiling at these guys. They played a short tune which sounded a bit like Irish folk music and exited at the next stop, wishing us all a good day and saying, "see you at the pub."