Thursday, March 15, 2012

Returning


Hello again, my friends!  We are back from London, and I am bursting with stories to tell and pictures to post in the coming days.  First, I need to unpack, do laundry, catch up on emails and phone calls, and do all the other nonsense one does after a week away.  In the meantime, I just had to share with you these spring flowers from a beautiful street stall in Greenwich.  One of the things I love most about traveling ever since I started The Magpie's Fancy is that I often take photos and collect memories with you in mind.  It sharpens my eye and broadens my perspective, which is, I do believe, a good thing.  

More specifically, one of the things I love most about traveling to London now is that since I have been there many times before, I feel less and less obliged to be a tourist, to skim the surface of the place.  These days I spend more time meeting and talking with people, eating at local haunts, and getting to know my favorite neighborhoods almost as well as the ones back home.  I do love the feeling of visiting a city for the first time, but there's something to be said for gradually getting to know a place well.  Like a good friend whom you see only every year or two, you rediscover that depth of connection every time you visit, yet the friend always holds surprises in store.  In this way, the best discoveries are made and the friendship grows stronger with the passing years.

More very soon.  Street art, food, flowers, markets, crumbling buildings . . . only the good stuff.  xo Gigi   

      

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful photo, Gigi. Never been to London. Ah, some day! Looking forward to the stories... :)

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  2. Oh, I can't wait to hear about all it. I feel the same way about London as you do. Each time I go there, it feels like a long lost friend and exploring the unknown is always exciting! Beautiful photo! xxoo

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  3. Just the best city ever!
    I cannot wait to read all about your trip. Don't spare the details!!
    Welcome home!

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  4. Can't wait to hear all of your news and see your photographs Gigi.I hope that our London ( and Cambridge) was as good as it's ever been. They both certainly never disappoint me. XXXX

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  5. Oh Gigi,
    You went to Hampstead....and, to Keats house.
    Have you seen the film 'Bright Star' all about John and Fanny ?I've seen it three times !!
    Don't keep us waiting too long to hear about your London adventures. XXXX

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  6. YAY!! I am so glad you are home safely. i can hardly wait to see and hear about your adventures.

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  7. Welcome back Gigi. Looking forward to seeing what you captured on your camera. I love the way you describe going back to a place, you have summed it up so well. Jx

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  8. oh gigi ~ what a stunningly brilliant photo of this amazing display of blooms!! can't wait to see the rest of your photos ~ they will be amazing.
    delighted you are home again, home again safe and sound and bursting to tell us more ~ can't wait!
    you are so right about becoming friends and more comfy with a place far away upon visiting it again and again ... while you still marvel at so much, there are little subtleties and nuances that come into focus drawing you nearer and dearer.
    cheers!
    xxoo
    pg

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  9. Hey Gigi, welcome home! and thanks for this beautiful teaser.

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  10. Welcome home, Gigi! Glad you had such a wonderful time. It being London, that's almost guaranteed though, right?! Thank you for these lovely tulips from Greenwich. I love what you said about digging into a place, not playing the tourist. That's what we try to do anywhere we go--be it home or abroad! I never feel like a tourist, more a citizen and friend of the world. :o) Can't wait for more stories and photos. Happy weekend ((HUGS))

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  11. Hi Gigi,
    I followed the trail and found your lovely blog. I can't wait to hear and see your promising tale of London. It sounds sure to be a treat!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  12. How fortunate to get a chance to know a city so well...I can't wait to see it through your eyes:)

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  13. Welcome home!
    I love how you think about that, the different ways you can know a place, and how it changes over time. I look forward to hearing all about your favourite places and your new discoveries, and in technicolour too!

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  14. Welcome Home! Look forward to your tales. Oh how I would love to explore London again and get to know it more in depth.

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