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Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
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and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

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« Movie love, UK style | Main | British Bliss »
Tuesday
Oct162007

How to explain Covent Garden?

Just off of the museum zone and part of the theater district, Covent Garden's kind of a mix of high-end shopping galleria, opera/ballet/art hub, antique dealers mart, and--no way else to put it--freak show. Needless to say, supreme people-watching opportunities abound.

{This is also where Greg purchased his famous collection of Soviet money 15 years ago. He was then and is still convinced that this will be the determining factor for a lucrative retirement someday...luckily I think we do have other options as well. Like my Charles and Diana Engagement commemorative plate.}

^
in the plaza
looking toward the Covent Garden Market building
lots of reasons to stop and stare

^
inside the market
I love the color of the ironwork overhead
and the crowds leaning over to hear
the quartet
later there was a full-on opera singer


^
love the red railings
& even the trash bins are attractive

^
great shops
good to know the go-to spot for toy theatres


^
and the requisite pubs
{We once caught a live Punch and Judy puppet show
on the boardwalk in Brighton. So funny...kids yelling at
the puppets but P&J were fairly disturbing}

^
James James the magician
attracted quite a crowd,
mildly abusing the onlookers
while amusing them at the same time


But I've saved the best for last. Really. Are you ready? I'm walking along and I hear a beautiful baritone voice--obviously trained for the theatre--singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." I look around, trying to find the source of the great voice and see this:

^
Yes, one out-of-work actor
beneath one cardboard box
with head poking up through the box
and filling a dog carrier
Feel free to leave spare coins in the dog dish

It really does take all kinds, doesn't it?

To be continued....

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Reader Comments (4)

hahaha! Last year when we were in Covent Garden we saw a whole midget magic show...

10.16.2007 | Unregistered Commentergab

There obviously is someone with WAY too much time on their hands. I hope you left him a few tuppence...(is that what it's called? I just think of Mary Poppins for my British money lessons. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag...)

How fun. I have never been to England. I too love those red railings and fancy trash can.

10.16.2007 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

just called alan over to have a look at your photos. great commentary. your past two posts have gotten us v excited about the move. keep the british posts coming!

10.18.2007 | Unregistered CommenterTherese

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