I don't know how this could have happened, because for some reason during the last few weeks of my stay in London, Bailey, Lauren and I found ourselves running up and down the west bank almost daily. Whether for a play at the Globe, a disappointing visit to the Tate Modern, or our numerous visits to The Gourmet Burger Kitchen, it seems that I walked the length from the London Bridge tube stop all along the west bank so many times I could do it with my eyes closed. There is a specific stretch of this walk that I became very fond of. If you would just shut your eyes for a moment, and just try to experience this with me for one moment... it is the evening and you reach Southwark Cathedral and follow the stone road along a small path... This takes you through an almost ally-like way along Clink Street. There are pubs and restaurants packed with white collar workers stopping for a quick brew after work, you wind through them and come upon this.
How many times did I run past this beautiful disaster without even giving it a second look? It is the perfect image to describe what I love most about London. If you look closely you can see how the old wall has melded into a slightly newer one, and directly behind that building there is a completely modern 21st century business tower. How can a city so old be so modern? This is how. They take their beautiful history and build from it.
I wish I had video taped my last walk along the Clink street so I could remember every single detail. It is my biggest fear that I will too soon forget the charming stone walkway,the stunning designs engraved under the bridges, or the plain but unforgettable aged brick walls, that were simply a means to transport me to another end.
Oh how the smallest details of this city will forever keep me in awe.
