I had never been to Canary Wharf before so was looking forward to seeing this part of London for the first time. I arrived by ‘tube’, the underground railway. The station was new, modern, albeit impersonal and possibly clinical in appearance although probably not in the germ count. I looked for directions and they were only of use if you knew precisely the names of where everything was. In my simplistic view I thought that there was only one large tower block, which is where I was scheduled to have a meeting over coffee. How wrong I was – there are many tower blocks each housing different organisations that are known the world over in financial circles.
I was in plenty of time so I decided not to ask but to explore for myself with the spare time I had allowed, so I could get a ‘feel’ of the place. It was a gorgeous sunny day in spring so whilst there was a clear blue sky, and it was warm, it was not that hot to worry about walking and getting too sticky.
As I walked around I noticed the people dashing around, many dressed in what I would describe as ‘city casual’, so men with no ties and often no jacket but with the obligatory cufflinks alluding to ‘sharpness’. Ladies in sombre colours with high heels. There were also what I have termed as the ‘urban mountaineers’ with their rucksacks slung off one shoulder as they raced to the next important meeting. Overall, it was a sensory attack with sounds and sights, smells and sensations making one feel excited and relaxed all at the same time – and the superb coffee did tickle the taste buds too.
I chose to return to central London by river to expand the experience and also provide a contrast to the way I had arrived.
The experience on the river was in marked contrast to the office life I had just witnessed. The people who worked on the boat were much more physical as they moored up the large boat at every ferry stop, the clatter of the gangway, the swish of the rope they threw to the mooring posts, the chug of the slow maneuvering boat and then….the roar of the engines once the boat was free from the tether. The surge as the boat as it gathered speed very quickly and the smell of the river, pungent and stale. Even the people were in stark contrast – relaxed and casual, dressed in shorts or jeans and T-shirts, cameras and casual bags with children, people drinking from bottles. I looked out of place – a city suit, tie, and briefcase although no one made comment or looked at all surprised – although I did not feel out of place.
Outcomes:
- Canary Wharf seemed to be inward looking.
- The riverboat allows outward looking, people are far less self-conscious.
- If you removed the language one heard, Canary Wharf could have been anywhere –Argentina, America, Australia. Whereas London from the Thames is unmistakable.
- Using all of one’s senses makes one realise the depth of ‘what is’. Making time and using it allows one to notice.
Key message: the key message for me was to make time to enjoy and appreciate our world around us. Is this something you do very often? Do you think it may have some value for you, like it did for me?
My best wishes,
Peter
