Insiders guide to living as a local in London

Sitting in a working class pub, drinking a Guiness and talking to the people all around me about how a traveler can feel more at home...I wanted to hear from locals how they perceive travelers, and how we, as part of a worldwide community, can experience the real day to day life of London. Beleive me, it was extraordinary!!

Quick Tips:

In London in the spring and fall, it is best to dress in dark, stylish clothing, and walk with confidence. Realize that large European cities are very fashion-conscious, but not to the point of being stuffy. Unless of course you intend on experiencing formal dinner parties and the like....

In the warmer summer months, comfort is the key, dress in what will make you the most relaxed.

I last visited in March of 2001, and wore black pants, black pullover, and a light jacket. In case of a chilly day, I packed a sweatshirt in my backpack, and used it to cushion my camera gear. I was told by a friend living in London, if she didn't know better, she would have thought I was a Londoner....A very nice comment indeed.

Best Way To Get Around:

I have used public transport considerably when I visit Great Britian. From the quick inexpensive "black taxis", (beware of the unlicensed taxis, it could cost you a lot), to the Underground, one of the best people movers in the world.

One tip on the Underground, if you are traveling a distance, try and find a seat, its a lot more comfortable, and gives up more room for the people that are only going a few stops down the line.

If you are only going a few stops, consider the far end of the platform, most commuters stop near the middle, hence it becomes shoulder to shoulder, and a playground for the pickpockets that also ride the rails. I have traveled in the far cars, and have had open seats, and plenty of standing room, while the middle of the train is filled to its limit. So look beyond the immediate area, and find a little more comfort...

The very first time I visited the British Museum, it was being over run with students on a multitude of class field trips. At first I thought, "oh no...I heard about these kinds of days...." But because it was the first trip, I had to go anyway, after all what kind of traveler would I be if I let that type thing stop me..
Boy was I lucky....The museum was undergoing a major reconstruction period in 1999, and things were a little confused, but still beautiful.
The things I thought would make the visit uncomfortable, were the exact things that made it wonderful. The kids all over the museum, brought forth all of the wonder, all of the awe these children were experiencing for the first time as well...I got to see the Museum and through the experience, the World, through the eyes of kids and parents that were willing to take the time to explain the wonders of the world...I looked at all of the wonderous things there as one of the citizens of the world.
I remember a group of kids looking at the mummies with their teacher and one child asked her teacher while looking at an adult and child mummies grouped together in a case,
" Is that, that babies Mother? did they die together? how did they die?" I realized these types of experiences in a child's life, shape who they are and what they might become. I felt honored that I could see that part of life, as it happened.
It was an experience I will cherish forever. Take those days of travel filled with kids, as a wonderous trip back into the times of wonder. You can go back, and with the knowledge of what it really all might mean.
Living as a local can be an enlightening series of events that make your journals come to life.

I love this place...all of London seems to venture into this respite from the concrete and steel of such a large city.

Upon first entering this area, it is a wonderous area of sights and sounds and smells.

The Empire, the Odeon and other top cinemas in the area bring school kids and adults alike to see new films and to wander the area looking at the plaques and handprints in the cement that attempt to memorialize a few of the cinema greats.

The Half Price Ticket Booth beckons to those who yearn to see the talented actors of this wonderful town. I myself met Derek Jacoby in Leicester Square on my last trip to London.

The people trying to get a quick bite to eat on their short lunch time, the tourists that look in wonder at the sights that surround this area, and the gypsies that try and tell your fortune and give you a sprig of what they call heather for a 5'er...A quick tip about the gypsies...if you get away with not giving up any money, and you decide to accept the sprig of 'heather', throw it away as soon as you can, that sprig of 'heather' is a marker for other gypsies working in the Square or other parts of town that you might be a good mark. Just be firm and keep walking, they mean you no harm, they are just persistant. I have seen tourists take that 'heather' and put it in their lapel or other location, and be accosted by every gypsy along the route they were walking...walk with purpose, in all situations, and you should be fine.

I entered this market with renewed interest after the movie "Notting Hill". Having been to London many times, I have always enjoyed this part of the city, and the fun Sat. mornings at any of the markets, but especially this one...

Almost anything can be found at street markets in London, but Portabello, there is such a wide variety to be had, but the most enjoyable, is the people watching. It seems that all of London visits this market to do exactly the same thing...

Looking through silver rings and such at unbeleivable prices, to the stalls selling produce and the odd vendor selling old CDs or even old LPs. It's all a wonderous lot of fun browsing, and even more fun to watch the watchers.

If you ever get a chance to visit, start at the Notting Hill tube stop and walk north to Portobello Road and go to the north side of the Market and browse your way back...most people start at the south end and it can cause kind of a bottleneck at some places...if you are going the other direction, it seems to make it a little easier to wind your way through the crowds.

What a great place.....With almost every tourist in town eventually making it to the Tower....make the most of visiting either in the morning or in the later part of the day....
With the great views of Tower Bridge as well, make sure you take time to create some of those wonderful pictures that are available even to the snapshooter in the group.
Remember to include people in your pictures for scale, and to have a great memory after you return home and you want to revisit this great historical place from history.
When I visit the Tower, I take time and take the tour every time, it makes for great pics of the Beefeaters that give the tour, great color and great images of the tourism part of the Tower..I also take the time to walk the perimeter tour and use that great elevated platform to make really nice images of Tower Bridge or pics of the interior of the Tower itself.
If you haven't been to the Tower in awhile, the small snack bar has been relocated over near the Fusillers Museum and features a very nice place to sit and regroup and a nice place to relax.
I had a wonderful experience the last time I visited, a father and young son were apparently visiting for the first time, and the 3-4 year old had a great time with the Guard outside the Jewel Tower, and please refer to the pics included with this entry. It was very nice seeing the guard through the young child's eyes....it gathered quite a group of people watching this unique experience.

One of the better place to get extraordinary pictures of one of Londons most recognizable sights....
Go to the south side of the Thames and wait for the sun to begin to set...depending on the time of year make sure you bring a warm jacket or sweatshirt...I waited almost 3 hours for the first pic on this jounal because the light was just not right, and the sun had not set far enough to get great light on the bridge. Might be a great idea to bring along a warm drink....coffee or hot chocolate.
Another great place is along St Katherine Docks with the sundial in the foreground makes for great images.
Also make sure you try and get some of the river traffic in your shot...it gives great scale to your picture.
Another great pic is a Red Double Decker on the Bridge, gives a great color contrast to the pic.....