The above song “Avenues and Alleyways” is by English singer Tony Christie and the song’s title covers where I have been going for the beginning of this week. I have observed the street performers, or as they are called here, buskers, in Piccadilly Circus, the mostly Muslim community of Whitechapel at night, the Docklands, the streets where the homes of Dracula (138 Piccadilly, where there is a Hard Rock Cafe now) and Sherlock Holmes (221B Baker Street) were located in the books and today, Brixton, a neighborhood similar to southeast Queens where I live in New York City. These places are definitely not your typical tourist attractions, but it is interesting to learn the history behind these neighborhoods.
Also, our professor introduced us to a 1966 British film, Morgan, which he was named after. It is actually a funny and engaging movie; not only because it has the wacky British comedy, but it also has subtle commentary on communism, capitalism, marriage, love and sanity. Here is a clip:
A London Overture 