Street Life: London's Neighborhoods and Markets
For this assignment we were required to visit and explore two different markets within London. I had adventures at several, but I will discuss Borough Market and Camden Market.
Borough Market is probably the best place in all of London to get food. That is what is mainly there; there aren't clothing or material item stands. But it contains some of the most unique fruits and veg I have seen. If you want it, you can probably find it: strawberries, carrots, chiles, all kinds of meat; I think I even saw coconuts and blackcurrant berries.
I actually had the privilege of my internship being right next to the market, so I was able to eat there every day I worked. There are sandwich stands galore! Beef, pannini, lamb, veg wraps, stew, soup...the lost goes on and on. On several occasions I had a pork sandwich and I watched as the vendor cut the meat right off the roasting hog, cooked it, and served it with apple sauce (not the American version, but a runny paste of sorts) and greens. I also got to try several different kinds (flavors?) of curry w/ rice.
The biggest difference between Borough during the week and during the weekend is the crowd. It is not really that busy during the week, but on the weekends it gets packed. Sardines does not even begin to describe it.
Camden in general is what I imagine southside Chicago to be like if you could not get brutally murdered. I saw more drug paraphernalia than anywhere else I have ever been. This market, unlike Borough Market, does not specialize in food but material goods. Hipsters, Hipees, and Goths would really like this market. There were several shops selling vintage clothing, and many others selling things like Fake-Beats, pipes, mugs, shirts, and electronics. I actually got my wallet here. I was able to haggle the merchant down 5 quid.
Be prepared for another packed experience. It thinned out near the late evening, but was very populated the day we visited.
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