Living like a local in London

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Living in London for the last week has been challenging.

The biggest strike in Britain in 30 years has created travel chaos by closing down the railways and the tube lines, and the striking rail workers and London Underground staff have taken to the streets in protests against pay freezes and proposed job cuts.

Rita and I have also taken to the streets, as walking is by far the easiest way to get around these days.

We have to stay local, though, as traversing the enormous  London metropolis by foot from end to end is almost impossible

Fortunately, we are living in the utterly charming,  vibrant neighborhood of Islington, which feels almost like a village within the city.

Islington,  popular with young, progressive people,  has a history of radical left-wing politics since Marx lived and studied in the neighborhood. 


The area is generally posh and affluent, but the population is actually quite diverse. 

Just next to  Georgian manors,  worth millions of pounds, you may find large areas of subsidized council housing.


During the last few days, we have walked along the courts and terraces and through the housing projects - and looked into the gluten-free bakeries, the gin bars, the retro-chic restaurants, the fashion shops, and the small antique stores along the narrow Camden passage.



We even had a crystal-ball glimpse into what might become the future of daily commerce.


 Islington has one of the very first Amazon 'Just walk out' supermarkets, where the mastodon tries to lure customers by offering a totally checkout-free shopping experience. 

When you enter the store, you just log in via your mobile, take what you need from the shelves, put it in your pocket - and leave.

We felt it to be a bit like shoplifting, but by some probably very extensive surveillance of our behavior, Bezos knew exactly what we took out - and our credit card was charged accordingly.

'

Entering the Hope & Anchor pub in Upper Street, Rita had a sentimental trip down memory lane to a time some 40 years ago, when she lived in London. It was the years of 'London calling' and H&A was the place she went to hear up-and-coming bands like The Police,  U2, Specials, and Madness to name a few.

Today the throngs of punk rockers,  their pogo dance, and moshing are long gone, and the only music in Hope 'n Anchor comes out of the jukebox in the corner of the almost empty bar.


The high point of the day happens in the late afternoon:

Like many other Islingtonians, we drift down towards the shores of the beautiful Regent's Canal, which runs just a couple of blocks from our house.

Here we sit,  sipping our drinks, while we watch the narrowboats drift by in the setting sun.

Tomorrow, the transportation strike may be over and we might be able to travel across Greater London. 

Just now, we are enjoying living the local life!


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