When you walk down a city street, do you peep in the cracks?
Do you wonder what lies beyond the hubbub, behind the facades, in that space between places?
I do.
I poke my nose and camera into those crevices that hide in the mosaic of the city. And often, I stumble upon treasure.
These are, what I call, Places Between Spaces.
Like this narrow alley hiding in a crevice on Oxford Street.
Peep in, and you'll likely have to make space for the person blocking your view - for the mouth of this crack is only one-person wide.
Step in, and it surprisingly envelops you as it widens to receive you.
Walk on, and it dwarfs you - the tall buildings on either side of this cobbled boutique-lined lane looking down upon you.
And then, as indulgently as it received you, it abruptly throws you into a square bustling with people. And character.
Where people dine al fresco...
...muse under fountains
...or talk to the pigeons (or themselves)
Then just when you thought the ride was over, the quirkiness grabs you.
Of history...
And elephants for charity...
Of fairy tales and magic lands (full of sweets)...
Of cute shop assistants picturesquely perched in thought..
And of a realisation that all this lies behind a crack in the mosaic - a crevice on London's Oxford Street.
Welcome to St. Christopher's Place. Just one of my favourite places between spaces in London.
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10 comments so far:
Lovely article shilps. Really like the sound of this series. I love finding these sorts of things... opens your eyes to other parts of london which not everyone knows about.
I love to take narrow lanes. There's always something to discover. That's where life is hidden.
the narrow lanes which envelop you and broaden your view..
they remind me of the depth of human mind...only when you start exploring, your realize the vastness of it..the surprises it throws your way..and never could you have imagined that what appears tiny & nondescript could in fact hold a whole new fascinating world!
You've threaded those photos together very nicely, Shilpa. London's great, and I can't wait to get back there.
Bim: Thank you! Every city has these little places tucked away into invisible corners. It's a delight to explore the city and dig them out!
SloMo: I knew you'd like it. Thanks :)
Geetu: Love that parallel that you drew between what I do and what you do! I often talk in analogies and it always delights me when a particularly meaningful analogy pops up - like this one. Thanks! :)
Paul: Thank you! Glad you liked it. When are you moving back?
Gorgeous! I just found you via An Indian Summer. I cannot wait to see more of your stunning photography.
this is so wonderful!! loved the thought and loved what you saw. very rarely do we meet people who pay attention or appreciate the details these days.. more so because they have lost their dreams and imagination to their childhood. but im digressing. bottomline, lovely post!
Thank you for taking me through this thought-provoking journey.
love these photos!
http://pinkpopmash.blogspot.com
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