Here is an image of the top of Brick Lane (looking south), as it hits Bethnal Greed Road. Ive come to cherish this little intersection, one amongst MANY in london, but one that i feel like i can connect with. Just out of sight on the right is Brick Lane Bikes (now located not on brick lane), where i get work done and where i purchased my newe frame. The picture was taken from my favorite local cafe, LCB Surf Shop, which doubles as a Surf, Snow and Skate shop. I also know Rose - their barista - who seems to be the only other american in shoreditch. On this side of the road, and to the right (facing the bike shop) is a little, dingy, smelly, locals only bar called 'red church' because its located on Red Church St. Between where i sit, and red church, is a gallery where my mate Benedict just had a show last week.
In the left of the shot is Casa Blue, who sell a strange mix of kebabs, sheesha, and expensive cocktails. (Jody is currently dating one of their ex-staff. She rides a fixie.) Above Casa is
Pathfinder Books which - as i just discovered via google - is our local Socialist book supply source. EXCELLENT! 6 stores down (in blue, with the blue "W" high above it) is Winkworth, the housing agent whom with we rent our house. About 2 or 3 stores down, same side, is Bodhi, the local japanese food / gallery / internet cafe excellent miso soup, and for only 1 buck! Facing them, across the street, are the two infamous beigel (bagel) joints of shoreditch - about the only 24 hour food joints arround. Down by the scaffolding (if you can see it), about one block down, are a few tiny tiny galleries owned by the same philanthropic couple. Facing them (on the streets east side) is Close Up, the local art-house dvd rental shop; if its foreign and strange, theyve got three copies: if its new and features Brad Pitt, they might have 1.
Off the left of this shot, towards Bethnal Green East, is where i live. But before that is Stamp, a hair salon ive visited for numerous reasons and on numerous occassions. A little further - 1 block away - is Tas Firin, the local Turkish diner, who have excellent pida's (think pizza) and sell cheap beer. Opposite them, sort of, is my local Dirty Noodle (the generic nick name given to any cheap chinese food joint). One more block up is St. Mathews Row, which is basically my street (although my front door is on Wood CLose).
Because of the vast variety of shops, cafe's, clothiers and food supply, this intersection never sits still. Although no wear near the hellish foot-traffic circus of Liverpool St station (the nearest tube station), this intersection is situationed inbetween a number of relatively disparate locations that each contribute their own membership: Bicyclists (both amateur 'get-from-a-to-b' types, and professional, no-brake sporting messengers), Gay dudes right out of castro (bellow us is a semi-secretive, no-sign sporting transvestite supply shop), city professionals, muslims (ranging from fully covered eye-slit only to "asian rude boys" aka indian teenagers trying to be tough), every manner of hipster, about 3 homeless people, 2 guys in shorts, meandering teenagers who are to young to be smoking, some body carying a book shelf and a lady pushing a child in a pram.
Im sure, for those who live, or have lived, in similar situations, these descriptions sound eerily normal, and i suppose they should be. What i find fantastic about my own little corner of normal world, is simply my associated memeories and expereiences with them.
