Dinesh Wagle on Nepali Society

What do you do when visit a new place? You take loads of pictures. That’s what I did in London and other parts of the UK. These are some of the most photographed places on earth. But why should that fact stop you from taking more pics? For a tourist, there could more than one reason to click a picture. I have tried to mention some of those reasons as caption of these images.

Most of these 83 photos are from central London. One ‘prominent’ photographic object that is missing in this album is the ubiquitous red telephone box. Tourists smile from inside these boxes for cameras when they are in London (or other parts of the UK). I went all the way up to the hills of Scotland to the ‘telephone box photography’.

Because it looks colorful. Also because it’s the name of an American city that’s printed on the car that’s running on the streets of London.

Because there were neither Apples- the fruit- nor computers and iPads on sale. A lot of handcrafted souvenir products.

A detailed look at the things on sale at Apple Market in Convent Garden.

Now this is the ‘market’ that sells Apple products.

Because this bridge houses a railway station that claims to be the only station in London to have entrance on both banks of Thames river.

The decoration. They celebrated their new year recently. I ate Chinese along with a friend.

Because the Number 10 can be spotted.

Because I was amused by the sight of people peeking through the gate hoping for a glimpse of the prime minister.

Because it’s not the Hyde Park.

Because I am a tourist. And the tourist must smile at the camera with prominent landmark of the place on background.

Because it was the only street (that I saw) where a few commercial stalls were allowed to be operated.

Also because I was fascinated by the flower culture in London when I read a book (don’t know the name, don’t remember the date).

For a man from Nepal, a sight of people signing bhajan in a totally gora tone in a busy street of London is obviously very interesting, no?

No specific reason for taking this pic. I just happened to be at the place as I was walking on the Whitehall road.

Wanted to show it was a very cold day.

The combination of three things- notice, the woman and the man- made this particular moment interesting. And of course, the presence of the horse.

Because it’s just a head, without a body. Enough of human heads. Also, because of its size and the way it has been erected. Several days after I took this image I Googled it and found some interesting articles about it. Here’s one: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2217813/On-high-horse-Artist-crafted-35ft-horses-head-sculpture-reaches-new-heights-clean-prominent-London-landmark-himself.html

Why? Look at the color. Or, is it colour?

Why? I just loved this sight.

For the music he was playing

Why? Look at the colors.

Why? Noticed the water?

Why? Don’t be a dumb. No, I didn’t talk to them.

So that you can read where this is.

He was funny.

That’s it, it was fun to watch him to this for about 10 minutes below the London Eye.

Because this reminded me of similar thing back in Kathmandu. But they are no more visible in Ktm.

Why? The cap.

Again, mainly because of the cap as well as the whole idea of street performance.

Still want to know why?

Reminded me of a Sunday book market of Daryaganj. https://wagle.com.np/2009/01/03/amazing-book-bazaar-of-darya-ganj-delhi/

Gives name to the book market.

Liked the building

Again, doing what a tourist is supposed to do.

This one for the people walking underneath the bridge.

This one for the bridge.

Just a restaurant but look at the seating arrangement.

The menu with a piece of art.

Just being a tourist.

I had read about this when it was unveiled here in 2007. Thus the curiosity.

I am sure you know why I took this photo.

The color. And the pose.

Because I was there. Several times during my stay in London.

Spot a Nepali face.

Yet another creating idea of making money on street.

Because of the lamp post.

For the lights.

This is part of a quick series on pedestrian road crossings.

The ‘Look Right’ looked new to me.

The cameras.

Again, the camera.

I really liked this building. Feels like this is a train moving very fast. Imagine and you will understand what I mean.

Spotted a major road blocked for traffic because of something gone wrong with the water systems.

Tonight, the world will not come together on Regent Street because the road is blocked for essential maintenance work.

Liked the curve.

Because of the smiling tourists.

Because several groups were jostling to take the best picture with the London Bridge on the background.

Because of the man holding this signboard.

Because of his facial expression.

Because of nudity.

Because of the social media handles.

Because of the ‘battle of the britain’

Because of Shakespeare’s portrait.

Buildings

For the double effort that they are putting…

For the ‘Free Home Delivery’ notice.

For the overall view

Bridge

For the notice…found it interesting that police were telling people what they were doing and why.

Liked the way they are telling about the famous former resident

Touristy thing. And heard someone screaming the idiom.

I am not a ‘architect person’ but I felt that every building here in London has its own story. And the story is usually very old. These buildings have their own character and identity. Here, I take a closer look at a government building.