London What Visitors Need to Know
London. Throughout the ages its praises have been sung by poets. Writers often wax lyrical in relation to its mysteries and histories. Artists photograph, paint and draw its changeless beauty.
London is a city where in the just a matter of a few blocks, visitors are able to take in the juxtaposition of the modern shops along the stretch of Commercial Road, the Victorian Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the walled ancient Roman city of Londinium. London is simultaneously intimidating and exciting and the usual tourist hardly ever pays a visit to more than just the typical well-known sites. Just about everyone comes to London on a quest to see Big Ben, the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey and for very good reasons; these, in conjunction with the unmistakable black taxis and red buses are symbols of the grandeur of London attractions and they are iconic.
However, only after a few trips can its visitors begin their discovery of what the city of London is all about. London is a great deal more than merely the postcard tourist spots for which it has become famous. The beating heart, the soul of this the city is not in Westminster, but in its tiny alleyways, winding side streets, concealed gems of parks and most significantly, in the individuals who call it home.
Arguably, London is the most multicultural and diverse city in the world and it is home to individuals of every faith and nationality. Since the incursion of the Romans beginning around 43 C.E. to the recent influx of Eastern Europeans, individuals throughout history have chosen London as their destination of choice. Today, London boasts residents from roughly 270 nations, who speak in excess of 300 languages.
Individuals who wander along the streets of Hounslow will discover Hindus living side by side with Muslims and Sikhs. Not too far away, Richmond is home to a large amount of South Africans. In the East End, quite a few thousands of Bangladeshis have settled in Tower Hamlets.
This tremendous mixture of ethnicities is really just one of the features of London that makes it so special. Together with their faiths and languages, the new Londoners have carried along their cuisines and customs to the city. England was previously infamous for its boring and bland food; however, these days visitors and residents alike are able to choose from a variety of menu items that are seemingly infinite. A bit of local London knowledge reveals that the best method of determining the worth of an ethnic restaurant is to go in and look at the other diners. For example, it you find a group of Jamaicans eating in a Jamaican restaurant, it is pretty much guaranteed that the food will be delicious and authentic.
London is a city where in the just a matter of a few blocks, visitors are able to take in the juxtaposition of the modern shops along the stretch of Commercial Road, the Victorian Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the walled ancient Roman city of Londinium.
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