It was a clear, beautiful morning in London. Warm.
Our inequality class left after an hour discussion of globalization and inequality to Camden Lock Market where students were to document where items were manufactured (poor, underdeveloped countries vs. post industrial economies). We took the 168 bus from Russell Square to notice the changing nature of neighborhoods we would miss otherwise on the tube.
Camden Lock Market just coming to life as we arrived. It is most aptly described as tourist souvenir destination con swap meet complete with food stands (really, more like permanent catering trucks). We had an hour to gather data and then return via tube to the classroom.
These mopeds provide the seating up and down the canal.
Here we have Jeff and Raymond inside a restricted area of the channel.
And, Lizzy & Amanda lounging on one of the Camden Lock Lions.
The food was 50% Indian, 30% Chinese, 15% Middle Eastern, and a mix of other including one hamburger stand and the curious Mexichinese menu which offered nachos as well as firecracker chicken bits.
The canal itself is pretty dirty with evidence of encampments in the tunnels and caves.
Several students have been chasing down Banksy graffiti around London and heard there was one close by. Six of us left the market in search,and finally came on this:
Surprised it was enclosed in plexiglass, I discovered that the building owners put up the protection the day the graffiti was discovered to prevent its destruction. The little boy blowing bubbles in the orange lettering, “Tox,” is a protest of the imprisonment of another tagger, Tox.
According to the press, Banksy (real identity unknown) has authenticated it as one of his own.
His art is stenciled on buildings around London with political satire and anti-capitalism messages.
David Cameron gave the Obamas a framed example of Banksy art—some of which has sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Here are two I will get round to see courtesy of my students. First shows children pledging allegiance to Tesco--a multinational corporation with grocery chain all over the UK--parent company of Fresh and Easy.
By 11am, it was really too warm for my sweater—the coat had been stripped much earlier. This is a real change in weather.
We walked from the Camden station to Camden Town station and took the Northern Line back to campus where we discussed globalization and watched a film clip on the privatization of water and electricity in Bolivia by Bechtel Corporation and the IMF. The lack of curiosity in global issues discourages me.
Last evening, I had an interesting dinner in an Anatolian restaurant near the Heath. Excellent lamb with just so-so veggies.
Here is another of those unusual examples of signage--reserving the street for children to play.
"Play street 8am to sunset except for access."
Today, I had to meet the landlord here to pay rent and wait for a FedEx package from Molly (last attempt to deliver before return) so I am catching up on lecture prep, laundry, etc. And, trying to scope out the Barcelona trip—leaving Thursday!!! Patty wants a walking tour—I am assigned research since she took care of the hotel.
I am considering going another weekend to see Berlin—so being on “sit and stay” today is a great opportunity to check out airfare, hotels, etc. Plus, I need to make reservations for the Paris stay on the back end when I leave London enroute to Frankfurt.
This evening I am finally meeting Cheryl’s friend, Carroll, for dinner somewhere in the East End.
Happy Friday.
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