26 April 2015

London Calling

A few days looking around markets

At least once a year I feel the need to go to London. I have an innate bond with this city, I’m attracted to it. I love to wonder around looking for new places to discover, hidden corners, away from the usual tourist spots, but I also like to go back to places I’ve seen a thousand times!

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I’m staying in a Victorian house in Earl’s Court, a little hotel close to the underground, that almost feels like home. I wake up at the crack of dawn to be the first to see…

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Here are 3 fixed appointments, that have almost become a ritual:

  1. Sip a lovely cappuccino at Charlie’s;
  2. Buy some Victorian and French laces in my usual market stall;
  3. Sit and listen to some music during peak hours.

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Even if it’s very popular, this area deserves a visit every time; there are always new details to discover and people to meet.

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There’s never time to spare in London, so I’m off to my next stop… Where is it? A place where you can find new and bizarre things!

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In this place I once met “The Magic Hatter” that turned cutlery into wonderful bracelets and rings. I’m not certain it was actually him, but his creations were certainly magically enchanted.

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The Spitalfield Market has many shops and restaurants open all week and from Thursday to Sunday a proper market. And for music enthusiasts, the first and third Friday of the month there’s a vinyl fair.

I adore London, especially for the feeling of total freedom it gives you: you can do whatever you want, without worrying about being judged.

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Next stop: Petticoat Lane Market (open from Monday to Friday along Wentworth Street, and Sunday it expands also to the area around and closes at 2 pm).

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I had heard people talk about it as one of the oldest markets of the English capital, but – I must admit – I found it slightly disappointing…nothing antique or vintage, just new things at a good price. So not really in line with Miss Clair’s style!

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Curios and agitated as usual I head off toward my next stop: Brick Lane! In this market place – very extensive – you can find pearls as well as rags. Antiquaries, furniture, clothes, shoes and much more. Guess what I found? Laces, china and some old watches that even Tomoko Tokuda would appreciate.

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And before going home you must have an enquiring tour around Camden Town, at least to see if there’s anything new going on… When I go to London I often feel like “The Venus of rags” (1933) by Michelangelo Pistoletto that I got to admire at the Tate Modern … I wonder why… 😀

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Contaminated by different cultures and tastes, London is a melting pot of different styles, a kingdom for anyone who loves to experiment. I could continue writing about it endlessly, but I have to get ready for my next trip, a new adventure. Are you wondering where to? A hint? I can only say it’s an island … See you soon!!!

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