There's a neighborhood in London that's lucky enough to have not one, but two(!) defining characteristics. This little hood is called St John's Wood and it manages to not only be the local Beatles fanbase, but it also has the distinction of being London's 'American' neighborhood. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the Beatles are crossing Abbey Road to get from the Abbey Road Studios to the American School in London, located about a block and a half away.
As far as I can tell, you can blame the American neighborhood aspect on the decision of the school to be located in the area. We've been doing a small piece of work for the school so I have had the very hard to come by privilege of visiting the school. Essentially, it's a K-12 school that teaches by an American curriculum. It's attended mainly by American kids who's parents have been relocated to work in London (and whose employers are willing to buck up the private school fees!). Being the only school of this type in London, Americans with school-age children seemingly flock here.
So today, after observing the morning arrivals at the school, I dragged my patient coworker that block and a half down the street so we could walk back and forth across Abbey Road. You wouldn't guess it by the 35 year old Beatles photo, but Abbey Road is quite the busy road and my attempted photos of my coworker were spoiled when a bus stopped in between us. Sad times. However, traffic died down a bit and I was able to get a few photos in. So yes, that photo is indeed of me on The Crossing, this morning.
As an extra bit of excitement, it appeared as if the walls outside Abbey Road studios had been heavily graffitied. The orange cones you see in the background have been put up by the graffiti squad, who were painting over the 'art'. There was also a noticeable stream of musicians heading to the studio from the station. However, instead of being cool rocker types, they were for the most part carrying 'classical' stringed instruments. Sad!
6 comments:
its the worst zebra crossing ever - i used it on a site visit and cars dont stop for you because they think your a tourist who wants a picture and is not going to cross until the road is traffic free!
St. John's Wood is also the venue of Lords Cricket Ground - or the home of cricket. I shall be going next thursday to watch the West Indies :-)
Oh dear, I've forgetten what a zebra crossing is! Is to somehow different from a crosswalk?
A zebra crossing is a type of crosswalk. Specifically one where the presence of a pedestrian waiting to cross means that cars have to stop for them. There are also pelican, puffin, toucan and pegasus crossings...
of course no one takes crossings as serious in the UK to the US. at least people in the states always wait - i get bored and cross! :-)
I hate crosswalks without signals.
Only the buses stop for me on my way into work. I see the same drivers most mornings, and a big city bus screeching to a half for a pedestrian usually sets a good example for everyone else.
I had a tri-met bus stop across two lanes a of traffic so we could cross at a cross walk. It made me feel weird.
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