Greenwich

Pronounced "Gren-ich" the modest town of Greenwich on the south east side of London is only a short tube ride from central London. Greenwich is home to the Royal Naval and Maritime museum and Royal Observatory. The observatory sits atop a large hill in the middle of Greenwich Park. If you are up for a stroll and some decent hiking then Greenwich Park is the place to go. Layered with multiple hills the park is great for a day trip. At the top of one of it's peaks is a view of everything London has to offer. The walk is well worth the effort.

The Glorious Dead

Along Parliament Street there are numerous statues commemorating the people who helped build the nation into what it is today. There are two statues in particular worth mentioning. The first is the Cenotaph with the words "The Glorious Dead" engraved on both sides. This modest statue, constructed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1919 and 1920, is adorned with a wreath on either side in remembrance of those who have fallen through Britain's conquest across the globe. Another is the stoic bust of Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British armies in France during WWI. Haig sits atop a black stallion facing Parliament.

Invisible Rock Star

His hand twitches with a painstaking Ow! This isn’t the sound of agony, nor is it the jarring of arthritis. This is Billy Jean. Not in the sense you and I are accustom to at least. As the daily hustle and bustle rushes past the Leicester Square pitch our maestro, the man holding the red electric guitar, guides them with the music of Michael Jackson. The crowd is alive. Like that of an orchestra in pure metaphorical illustration every instrumental section is represented. At the helm is Emmanuel Pontes he stands about six feet tall, wiry, and transfixed on his craft. The ambiance of the crowded London Tube station creates a fantastical picture to accompany our gaunt maestro. Like a crowd awaiting a performance at the Royal Albert Hall the curtain raises and the group starts to play. The nimble string section rushes quickly past on their way to their train. Pontes just casually nods as the pieces fall into place. Not missing a beat he bends the next note right on que. His audience is slightly amused. The change hits the open guitar case. They need more! The loud brass section is making their way down the stairs. The sound only adds to Pontes’ raw unfiltered emotion. In the distance just over the top of the escalator the bass section can be seen. Weezing and out of breath they stand as the escalator slowly brings them to Pontes’ feet. More change hits the case. To him, this is his life, and his performance means everything. Pontes is a street performer. This is London. He is here to work.

The domain of a street performer is called a “pitch.” A pitch can be seen in every tube station in London. In fact, of the 25 tube stations in London’s metropolitan area there are 39 “graphic semi-circles,” otherwise known as pitches. The city of London takes its performances seriously. Home of the Globe theatre and the Royal College of Music there is very little tolerance for a sub par routine. In London even the street performers need to have chops.



Take Bucky Muttle for instance. A native of Minnesota and a capable musician with a talent for odd instruments, Muttle creates an unusual performance with the aid of his Chapman Stick. As Muttle explains it, “The Chapman Stick is like a stringed piano.” Muttle, a capable piano player, easily transitions his knowledge of the keyboard to the fret board. The Chapman Stick is a futuristic looking instrument that resembles the fret board of a guitar adorned with ten strings of varying widths. The “Stick” is played with two hands, as if playing the neck of a standard guitar with both your hands. Muttle seems like a natural at busking. His appearance is one factor that helps his income. Muttle sports a bushy beard and a ballcap with a ponytail sneaking out the back. His face is serious but friendly. He is approachable. Muttle is so good at his job that he is able to keep a conversation going without missing a note. The scene is belittling almost, as he plays his instrument more proficiently then the average person can brush their teeth. The collection of change at his feet did not surprise me. I asked Muttle how he made a living. Did he live comfortably or did he have to scrape to get by? Muttle explains, “My wife is a nurse so we have a split income, sometimes we have to stick to rice but luckily there are different flavors of rice.” Muttle shows that it may be hard at times to make ends meet but then again he left his native land to perform in London. There has to be a reason. Muttle goes on, “The people are very friendly here. I enjoy playing, as long as I can afford rice and beer then life is good!” So there it is. Living as a street musician requires sacrifice. A priority change for sure. As far as reward Muttle explains “It seems that ninety-nine percent of the time busking, I am the invisible man, while one percent of the time I'm a rock star. I can't decide which one I like better.”



In London it is unlawful to busk in a transportation station without a permit. As of November 24th, 2005, to perform on the street for profit whether as a full time career or a job on the side a performer must audition. Under the Licensing Act of 2003 any regulated entertainment, that is, entertainment that involves an audience, music, or any physical means such as dancing and boxing, requires a license. Busking seems like an odd profession. Where did it come from? The English word “busk” actually comes from the Spanish buscar which in turn comes from the Latin buskin. These terms mean “to seek.” So, a busker is “literally” seeking attention, money, and fame. Every culture has their own unique term for a busker. The French use the term Troubador or Jongleur. In Mexico buskers go by the name Mariachi which is generally a group of street performers. The Germans use the term Strassenmusiker, while the Russians say skomorokh. The practice of busking has been around for centuries, as old as antiquity itself, because it presents the most human of professions. Not only do buskers perform, they have to connect with their audience. A busker only makes a profit to the extent that he can connect with the audience. He has to implore them to give him his salary. But by no means is a busker a begger. A busker has to showcase his skills. He has to make a statement that “this is who I am and this is what I can do.” Then the society decides whether he will perform another day. This is a very dramatic and sobering reality for these starving artists.



But do all street performers necessarily starve?



Enter stage right, Ramadhami Kayimanda. Mister Kayimanda, age 50, is from the tragedy stricken country of Rwanda. I found Kayimanda in the Westminster Tube Station playing renditions of the major scale. Kayimanda came to London because it is an “easy place to play music” and is “not too far from Africa.” The people of London are noted for their chivalry and to Kayimanda “the people here appreciate the music.” So much in fact that Kayimanda can make about fifty pounds a day just from a few hours of busking. That is around eighty USD or nine and a half dollars an hour. In the States working at a desk job for eight hours a day at nine dollars an hour would earn you roughly what Kayimanda earns playing saxophone in front of a live audience for just three hours. Maybe it is time for a career change?



But then again look at Michael Ward, 52, of South London. Ward began playing music five years ago after his children moved away. Instead of retirement Ward chooses to pursue a passion. Working in the Charing Cross Tube station Ward gets to interact with his fellow Londoners and foreigners alike. I could have sworn I heard Morrissey’s voice coming from Ward. With a gaunt looking face, Ward, a man in his early fifties enjoys playing music to an ever changing audience. And, as Ward puts it, “I can pay the taxes!”



London is known for its high taxes. Just ask Boston. In London as of 2010 the minimum wage for a person over 22 is £5.73 which works out to roughly $9.23 an hour. That is two dollars higher than the United States. But if that’s not enough the city of London has a “scheme” called The Living Wage. Businesses in order to ensure quality service can sign up for this scheme that requires them to pay £7.45 an hour, or $12.00. That’s right. Businesses in London are not happy about underpaying people. So what is the drive behind working for change?



Take Bucky, Ramadhami, and Michael and contrast their stories. Bucky can get by because he splits his salary with his wife who is a nurse. Ramadhami proclaims that he makes about minimum wage in far less time than the average worker. Michael says he can “pay the taxes.” These three musicians from various backgrounds end up at the same conclusion. Busking is not easy. But it is doable. The reasons given to busk in London are quite substantial. They have an “appreciative audience.” The pay is decent. The musical history of London is enormous and elegant. And having to audition to be a street performer brings a level of quality and control to the field. With quality and control comes respect.



Our ‘maestro’ is no exclusion. Emmanuel Pontes, 35, is from Brazil. He works as a part time busker and full time music teacher. When asked how much of his salary is generated from busking Pontes says, “It is part of my income, gigs, busking, teaching music, etc...any kind of event that is related to music.” Pontes chooses to work in London because of the atmosphere. He began busking when he lost his job in a shop. When asked ‘Why did you choose London’ he replied with a grin, “London, it’s the best place to learn English, so that was my first attraction...also to work as a musician.” There it is. London has what people need. To Pontes the need to play music and to learn English, one of the dominating languages of the working world, brought him to London.



The fact that Emmanuel Pontes is a practicing musician is enough for him. The street performer goes into his field with a predisposition to enjoy ‘rice and beer.’ He has to. No matter how you slice it, being in any field requires talent and hard work. But even the most talented do not always cut it as a street performer. To sacrifice and fully own a profession is a hard decision for each and every performer that takes to the pitch. Certainly following a passion is a stronger motivational force than monetary gain. It isn’t always roses though. The competition is fierce. A musician can only play for four hours a day and that musician needs to get ahead of his competition and schedule pitch time. Pontes says, “It’s very hard, we are 260 licensed musicians, so it’s a lot of competition.” Muttle remarked that he read an article where a man busked for only forty-five minutes and gave his verdict about the profession. Muttle remarks, “This to me is like a golfer playing one hole of golf and determining that all golfers’ games will be the same as that one try. Anyone that says, "This is what busking is all about" has no idea what busking is all about, it is just their own opinion.” Is the undeniable truth behind being a successful busker in London ‘practice makes perfect?’ To some, yes, practice is always going to make you a better performer. But to others, luck is a major factor. To Bucky Muttle “There is no set guideline or formula for how to busk. There is no equation as to how much you will make. Sometimes playing terrible and out of tune may bring in lots of cash while playing great may bring in nothing.” The amount of practice and eight a.m. phone calls to the London Transportation Authority only serve to provide the opportunity to busk. A busker will busk every day s/he can. While being in the spotlight is enticing, the majority of buskers go unnoticed. The best buskers, the men and women who ‘profit’ the most, are the performers who accept the skewed balance of the invisible man and the rock star.

Parliament

Parliament. Derived from the french world parler, or, to "speak." This is an accurate account of what the traditional idea of Parliament is in modern day England. Along the river Thames stands the mighty walls of the Palace of Westminster, the seat of England's highest power, Parliament.

Built in the eleventh century, the Palace was originally the primary residence of the King of England and his predecessors. After the fire of 1512 the palace was rebuilt and was used as the location for both houses of Parliament. In 1834 a second fire tore through the building once again reducing most of its interior to rubble. To this day the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet to "speak" about the issues at hand for England and its commonwealth.

One of the most iconic and notable attractions of Westminster is the impressive clock tower "Big Ben." Majestic. Ornate. And overpowering. No Londoner has an excuse for being late to work. The clock tower houses five massive bells. The four smallest ring every quarter hour, while the fifth bell, aka "Big Ben," sounds on the hour.
This impressive view can be found right across the river Thames on the Jubilee Walkway. Crossing the Westminster bridge to South Bank is certainly worth the effort. The South Bank is home to the London Eye, the Marriott Hotel, St. Thomas Hospital and dozens of street performers and vendors.

South of the Thames

Painter-Westminster Tube StationPainter- Outside Westminster Tube Station
Painter- South Bank (Waterloo Bridge)Painter- South BankTopography and Illustrations- Under Waterloo BridgeBook sale- Under Waterloo Bridge
South of the Thames. The South Bank. This stretch of waterfront property is home to the London Eye. Along the strip are various street performers practicing their craft. Anywhere from oil paintings to "poppin' and lockin'" can be found on South Bank. For those with an interest in reading, topography, and artwork, under the Waterloo Bridge a large "print vendor" area is buzzing with activity every day.

In the Garden Along the Banks

Street Performer- "The Juggler" Covent GardensFood Stall- Crowd enjoying a midday meal.
Sextet Street Performers- Young musicians performing Mozart and other classics for change.
Apple Market- One of the various markets in Covent Garden

London is definitely a labyrinth. It is astounding how many shops and back alleys are tucked away in the most unbeknown places. One specifically interesting locale to visit while in central London is none other than the Covent Garden. Overshadowed by SoHo to the west, St. Paul's Cathedral to the east, and Parliament to the South, Covent Garden in aesthetics and appeal can hold its own against these massively impressive attractions. Known for an abundance of street performers and food stalls it is an excellent place to go out for a midday meal with friends and family.

"Covent Garden"

The district was originally founded by the Romans some time between the years AD 43 and 410. Later the "Gardens" was passed along through an assortment of dukes and at one point was even the kitchen area of Westminster Abbey. The unique architecture, "Italianate," of the gardens was crafted by the famous architect Inigo Jones in order to attract wealthier tenants. The area also hosts the Royal Opera House. The easiest way to get to Covent Garden would either be by foot if you're in the central London area or the Piccadilly line.Street Performer- "The Orange Juggler" Covent Gardens

Tube Tips (Front-of-Book)

Remember. You're not in America anymore. Even the tone of your voice can cause the most disastrous events. Here are some tips for surviving...the London Underground. No, this is not a Punk rock venue or survival guide, that would be Surviving...The Camden Underground. These few brief, calculated, and quite important tips could make the nightmare of the Tube system seem almost like a dream, that is if you're stumbling home from a pub before twelve thirty.

What is the "Tube?" The Tube is very much not like your television set. Underground, tube, train, all refer to the London Metropolitan rail transportation system. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to travel through London.

Tip one. Oyster Cards. By ordering an Oyster card through the London Transportation authority TFL (Transport of London) the average city-goer can save a large amount of pound (money). An Oyster Card works as a swipe-and-go card. By visiting the TFL's website (tfl.gov.uk) anyone can obtain an Oyster card and be free to go on the rails in the zone they prefer. The card is great because it works not only for the rails but for the bus service as well.

Note: You swipe in at a turnstile, board the tube of your choice, and then swipe again at the destination to leave the station, this is to prevent people from hopping the turnstile and riding for free.

Tip two. Know your lines. There are numerous lines that run around London. If you glance at a map while bustling through any station it would look something like rainbow colored spaghetti. The primary lines that most visitors should be concerned about are the Piccadilly, Victoria, District, Circle, and Northern lines. These lines all interconnect in one way or another and can get to most stops relatively easily. The other lines not mentioned are all important but are easy enough to figure out. The Piccadilly is great for getting from Heathrow airport to Kensington all the way to King's Cross. The District Line follows the Thames (pronounced "Tems") river and stops by Westminster (Parliament and Big Ben) Tower Hill (The Tower of London and Tower Bridge) and many other great attractions. The Circle Line runs in a circle around Hyde Park and stops in Kensington, Piccadilly Circus, and many other great attractions. Victoria and Northern are the lines used to go North and South, such as south on the Victoria to Brixton, or North on the Northern to Camden. Both lines head in either directions but meet in central London.

Tip three. Be quiet and try not to stare. Londoners' do not like to stare. In the states, catching someone quickly looking away can be considered flirtatious, but in London they may just be wondering who is making so much noise down the aisle on the tube. Try not to be that person.

Tip four. Seats are reserved for the elderly, disabled, pregnant, and people less able to stand. If you sit or take a seat while an elderly-disabled-pregnant woman is forced to stand most people will probably make an ugly face, and no, they weren't all born looking that way. And if they were, you might want to just give up your seat for them.

Tip five. If the tube is closed, which it will be from around twelve-thirty to six in the morning, topside is a network of double decker buses. Buses are great because there are no zone restrictions and they run virtually anywhere.

Tip six. Zones. Your Oyster Card will only be valid for the limited number of zones you pay for. Zones one and two are enough to go to all the great central London attractions. Heathrow is in zone six. No worries though. You can Top Up at any tube station and access zones outside your plan. With an Oyster Card extra zones should only cost one to two pounds.

Tip seven. Top Up. This is the term they use for putting extra credit on your Oyster Card to travel to areas not outlined in your plan. Before any tube turnstile is a Top Up machine, usually rows of them, just swipe your card and follow the directions. The machines take coin, cards and paper notes.

100 Club

The 100 Club. The glitz. The glam! Central London at its ritziest. Or for the sake of honesty, the 100 Club, Latin Funk Fever. After exiting Tottenham Court Road Station follow the building numbers up to, you guessed it, One-Hundred. The 100 Club is definitely the place to go for anything from salsa dancing to flamenco. Halfway down the stairs is the ticket both, be prepared to cough up around ten to fifteen pounds to go further. Entry fees tend to be quite high for any penny-pinchers but the experience is worth it. The main venue is rather large, a guesstimate, 3000 square feet. In the center against the back wall, a rather large stage, to its left and right is seating available for those tired of walking. But what about the performance? Recently Grupo Fantasmo played a lively and exciting salsa Latin funk experience. They mixed rock guitar riffs with salsa and Latin flavor. The crowd was woo'd to their feet by the experience and nearly the entire venue was dancing quite erotically. It was a sizzling night in Tottenham Court.

Camden- Not just for Meth Addicts

Camden, Philadelphia, is a horror show. Camden, London, is a horse show! Of sorts. After stepping off the tube and taking an immediate turn north the town of Camden slowly delivers what its' reputation promises you. A punk scene full of punk things to do. Like guitar circles that praise Joe Strummer by getting high and singing his songs. Or people with enough balls to pull off a mohawk. Fuck mohawks! In Camden you'll see anything from bleach-blond cornrows hanging to the floor all the way to any kind of piercing that you 'Can't take home to mum!' Walk far enough and you'll come across Kentish Town Road which will lead to a bridge overlooking a "lock." The Camden Lock. Home of the middle-aged punks who should have stopped scaring kids years ago. Wander down to the water and you come across a walkway along the lock's canal. For night time photographers, you're probably kicking yourself at this point because you forgot a tripod and the sun is setting. Luckily I brought mine instead.

My Niche in the Park

If you've heard of London then you may be familiar with Hyde Park. You may have an idea about the scope of this recreational area. You're most likely thinking "I've seen parks before" or "I've been to Central Park! Nothing can top that!" because you're from New York and have no clue about anywhere farther than North Jersey. Next time you decide to go outside and get some exercise please feel free to pamper yourself. Buy a plane ticket to London, grab a room at Astor Hyde Park, and partake on a journey through one of the city's largest gardens.

The park is located in the borough of Kensington. Find Queen's Gate road and follow it north. Once you've reached a rustic gate with ornate metal detailing stop, take a breather, and get ready to explore. At roughly three hundred and fifty acres, Hyde Park is literally no walk in the park. Once you pass through the weathered front gate you will certainly feel a slight breeze. Travel in about a hundred feet and to your east is the biggest "Sorry" ever constructed by England. The enormous golden statue is a bit of a slap in the face to all the regions of the world, and I do mean "all," that England had conquered in the past millennium. What better than to erect a statue made of gold "taken" from these commonwealths. As you regain focus, and your eyes stop burning from the glare cast off the statues brilliant ringed fingers, resume your barrings and head north once again. Pass through the barrier garden ahead of you.

As you cross over the strip of garden you'll find yourself entering a rather IMMENSE portion of field spotted with trees. This is Hyde Park. This is what will take you days to explore. And believe me, bring an O2 tank cause it is breathtaking. Head Northwest for about fifty yards and you'll come across a crossroads. The roads should intersect at multiple points leaving a triangular patch of grass and low hanging trees in the center. This area has large trees enclosing a center "grotto." This grotto is base camp one. My favorite spot in a reasonable walking distance for the casual venture into the park. Here is a good place to check your map and set up your next destination. To your south is Kensington Road, west is Bayswater, northeast is the Serpentine, and farther northeast is Speaker's Corner. Fair well my fellow travelers!

The Intrepid Fox

I had no clue what I was about to walk into. Tongue studs, black hair, like a Slipknot photo brought to life. And I was in London! After reading about Kevin Brosky's account of the Spanish Guitar Centre in Leicester Square I thought I would check it out firsthand. While mingling with the employees there I met one guy in particular that stood out, vastly, from the rest. Kieron. He was a child of the underworld for sure. Long hair. Tattooed. Every color of the metallic rainbow. Kieron and I chatted about our lives for a good forty-five minutes and then parted ways. After a day of running errands and schoolwork I returned to the SGC with my friend Tom. Tom kept himself from "going America on their asses" and Kieron invited us for a pint at what he called "The best pub in London, The Intrepid Fox." I had been to pubs. Most of them coated in an air of laughter and old matured wooden counters. The Fox was different. Like its patrons' choice of fashion, every inch was covered in drugs, sex, and Rock N' Roll. Ironically a "No Narcotics" sign was posted modestly by the door. This was London metal. This was Kieron's life. He referred to the patrons as one 'giant family.' My experience had taught me a valuable lesson. A lesson that had been brought to my attention every step of the way on my path to adulthood. Behind every rough exterior there is an engaging and relatable story. Never judge a book by its cover. If you're uncomfortable, you're doing it right.

Montparnasse

If you're an aspiring croissant aficionado like myself and happen to be taking a stroll in the lovely borough of Kensington then look no further than the Montparnasse Cafe. Ever try an Expresso? Double Expresso? How about a panini? Or if these are too 'familiar' for you, maybe venture out into the not so familiar territory such as Nos Galettes, also known as a savory crepe. If you thought Temple had good cuisine at the Crepe Truck then maybe put your money where your mouth is and try the real deal.

It is said that good food comes from great ingredients.
I took a moment today and sat down with the director of the cafe, Bastien Mytchelom. Montparnasse is named after a section of Paris, France, on the left bank of the river Seine. The owner, recently retired, is of English and Iranian decent and shows his appreciation for French culture through his painstakingly crafted flaky pastry creations. Montparnasse opened roughly fifteen years ago and to this day still remains in a thriving business. Bastien shares, in a French accented dialect, "The business is..ehh..ah steady, mostly locals come in a lot because we are kind of hidden." If you are lucky enough to stumble off the beaten path and onto Thackeray Street then you are well on your way to finding one of Kensington's hidden treasures. London is a city littered with mazes. I've once heard the infrastructure being referred to "as if it were a pile of spaghetti." Spaghetti aside, Montparnasse is an experience hoarded by the local inhabitants of W8 (West 8) and not many tourists venture too far off the main roads. If you are searching for a great place for breakfast or lunch, or even an on the go snack, Montparnasse offers many different dishes that are sure to appeal to even the pickiest of pallets. Well known amongst the locals, the omelets are sensational and regarded as one of the best dishes to order. Also on the menu is anything from 'Vegetarien' dishes to 'Mexicain' or even your American burger with a French twist such as goat's cheese. Don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path, especially in London, where one wrong turn can open some of the best smelling doors..