The Art of Getting Lost in London.
It is our own experiences that make the very core of who we are. We are shaped by the happenings of everyday life, and those special once in a lifetime moments. But what if the everyday and the once in a lifetime merged? The familiar and the unfamiliar became one to create the dialogue of our being. In essence the small, subjective moments in our lives are the most important.
Encountering another culture alone can be daunting, but it can also be one of the most important journeys in our life.
London, for me was in experience in getting lost. I have always been one to control. I do not like to stray from plans. I need to plan. I need to know where I am going otherwise I am not in control and fear sets in. In London I ended up lost at least 4 times each day. Half the time it was “around the corner” lost, while the other half was “on the other side of the city” lost. All of this getting lost only lead to me finding that “it’s okay”. It’s all okay. Around me is a beautiful, wondrous world in which to explore. In which to get lost. In which to ditch plans and be.
In Dover I ended up lost, and walked around the streets until I found a taxi to take me to the top of the White Cliffs. The hour of being lost, only lead to the hike along the cliffs so much more enjoyable. I was there. I was finally there, and I was truly going to be “there”. Nowhere else, not even in my head. I would like to think that just “being” lead to my inspiration/creation of The White Cliffs of Trash.
On my way to The Regency Cafe, I ended up at the wrong tube station. Wrong to the point it took me over an hour to get to this cafe to have breakfast, when it should have only taken me 25 minutes. But, it’s okay. Food was still there when I finally got there, and goddamn was it worth it.
London in all it’s overwhelmingly constrained busyness, taught me the importance of taking my time…to essentially get lost. The art/act of getting lost only lead to amazing experiences. The art/act of getting lost only added more variety to the dialogue in my being.
-E
I hope you enjoy the following photos taken during my time in London (lost and not lost). If you have any questions, comments, or want to know more please feel free to contact me here.
Please note some of the photos are taken with an iPhone 5s.
Self-Portrait from my hostel room in London.
When I got lost in Brent.
My breakfast at The Regency Cafe.
A man smoking in front of a "No Smoking" sign at Borough Market.
Tourist at Piccadilly Circus.
More tourists at Piccadilly Circus.
On top of The White Cliffs of Dover.
Selfie on top of The White Cliffs.
Graffiti on the Dover footpath.
Trafalgar Square.
"Free Rings" at Trafalgar Square.
A section of sidewalk art at Trafalgar Square.
Part of one of the fountains at Trafalgar Square.
From Trafalgar Square to Big Ben.
Red telephone booth by Big Ben.
Big Ben, and Parliament.
Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham.
