davebuxton

I'm in London with a few plans but lots of time and the need to explore. I've been here a lot recently for trips and shoots and things I love it here. It's like home but busier. With more energy, more people, better public transport and so many things going on in one place, it's almost a country!

Arriving with my plans already having changed filled with a mild panic unsure of my next move - this happens a lot I think it's my age...I'm doing my best to ignore it!

"Screw it lets have some fun!"

So with tube rides and walking in the wrong direction I made it to my over night accommodation - travel lodge; nice but very hot every where! Then panic! You see I plan a lot, I try to cover every possible endeavour. By when traveling around I like to have just the basics therefore I work on a lot of assumptions to allow me to travel light. Today unfortunately my assumption did their worst and made me look like an ass! The TV in my room doesn't have any use ports on it!! I have my usb cables for phones and tablet but no plug!!

*sigh* Oh-Kay.

I need power or I'm screwed and getting lost increases ten fold, but not good lost!!! So I'm currently in Farrington, what is local? St Pancreas international! Let's Go!

So with no phones, no music and no clue where I'm going I venture out into the night. With only one plan in mind...get lost!

Farrington station is a short distance from the TL. One stop later and I'm surrounded by people, and it's beautiful. Most of you won't have a sodding clue what I'm on about. You've stopped looking, you only see what's in front of you. No one looks up or even worse no one stops to look around. In every direction there are strangers, travellers, business people of all ages, students, workers and random people just like myself. All dancing around each other. Some passing through, others struggling to get their bearings looking in all directions for a map or friendly face.

Me? I walk with a purpose, no clue of where I'm going but you bet you ass I'm going there and I'm doing it without hesitation. I stop briefly to listen as a man plays a piano that's just sat there, it's brilliant and beautiful. A few moments on a man in a bowler hat goes pass me and I openly laugh out loud! This is what I love. The beauty of a new environment. The beauty of strangers, oblivious to me and those around them. You don't look at people and think "are they watching me?" In this case I was and it was beautiful.

A few mad searches and too much money spent - I will forever be poor - I get a charger with a usb port on it & I grab some food from McDonald's next to Kings Cross. Which incidentally has sculptures outside it! Awesome!!

Back to the hubbub of the underground. If I had my way I'd ride it every day just endless taking pictures of people. Next time you ride the tube put you phone away and just look at those around you. Don't Stare! It creeps people out, so just glance around. You will see so much. Better yet ride the tube when it's quiet and look down the tube, through the carriages. You can watch as the tubes moves it's way through London like a snake!!

My journey ended with me back in my room. Mission successful, as my equipment starts to charge. Bliss.

So what now? Well I've got time to write this blog and plan tomorrow, but not too much. Who knows what will happen if I just go and get lost again...what a great feeling!