Mushroom market
The Portobello Rd Market is as incredible as the guide to London said it was. There were antiques and small shops for miles. Before we embarked on our mission I found a charming coffee shop in which to check my email, and noticed that it’s really difficult to find a café that serves disappointing cappuccinos, they’re everywhere. The vendors were selling everything from fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, fish, to cooked peanuts, bratwurst, frankfurters, and much, much more. One vendor in particular was selling hand crafted journals made by a family in Hungary which had some of the most beautiful leather work. Some of the books had bunched leather sown into the cover; others were graced with jewels and emblems. After that, we found someone selling fudge of many varieties. From cookies ‘n’ cream, to strawberries ‘n’ cream, to just fudge. The widest selection of fudge and fudge products I’ve seen. Ben, Kim and I, shared them with a French couple that was lost, and, after giving them directions we headed back. I enjoyed a brief snack in my room and trekked back to the Victoria and Albert museum to have a nice long sitting with Rodin in the main lobby w/the other sculptures and do a sketch. I only got about an hour to rough it out though and am looking forward to returning to visit him again.
Riding the tube started out being a thwarting experience, but, as I spend more time in and around it, the tube has become quite familiar. It is almost as if it’s a culture in and of itself. Not just the trains on it but the people in it seem to be more friendly and, comparatively, London is quaint. It is a large town with few natives, but a lot of locals. At times I feel at home in the least expected way. There was a family that was out visiting downtown today, and their children were no different than the children that surround me back home. Almost the same age, no matter what language is spoken the actions are the same. Even the lady across from me couldn’t help but smile the whole ride. The little girl, probably two, was talking almost the whole train ride, whereas most of the passengers are pretty quiet and keep to themselves. It was a welcome change of pace.
July 17th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
It makes me so happy to hear you’re feeling at home there. It feels so different without you here. I’m so happy and busy getting my life sorted out. This is a monumental six months. We are doing this the right way. You are going to love my business and financing class. I’m telling you all about it when you get back! ^^
July 24th, 2007 at 4:55 am
I’ve just been in london this past weekend and was looking for a leather journal vendor that i found last year outside the Tate Modern. did any of these journals have belt like buckles on them? did you catch if a fair haired woman was selling them? the ones I bought last year were around £8 - £15 each. please let me know if you have any more info
July 28th, 2007 at 5:59 am
Could be the same family of artist’s. From the tubestop nearest Portabello, just under the overpass, make a right and the man selling them is just five or six booths down on the left hand side. All of the journals have a unique apeal, no two are the same. Hope it helps.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:59 am
that sounds like my vendor!! i’ll check it out this weekend