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Elegy for gentrification. Yes, you read it right.
This entry was posted in Europe, UK and tagged Amazon, Britain, Canal, Canal boat, City of London, Decay, Europe, Gentrification, Harry Potter, Houseboat, JK Rowling, Kings Cross, KX, London, Photography, Platform 9 3/4, Pollinator, Punk, Renovation, Review, Skip Garden, Sky, Station, Street photography, Summer, Toffs, Tourism, Train, Travel, UAL, UK, University, Urban decay, Urban photography, Waitrose, Wimbledon. Bookmark the permalink.
“No fear but for white carbs.” What a succinct dividing line. 🙂 And what glorious photography, Fabrizio! I especially love the first gallery. Immediately it becomes clean that what you’re saying is true. No fear for King’s Cross. ❤
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*clear, but clean too. 🙂
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Hi Manja, I got that line from an article I read on the gossip pages of a newspaper, where the interviewee (whose name escapes me) was saying that, in Hollywood, no one ate white carbs, which to me seems a bit stupid! Thanks for the photos, we’re getting a great weather, here, and I have a new camera = results! 🙂
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More of an ode than an elegy (the latter usually written to reflect upon the deceased), but nicely done regardless!
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In fairness I debated with myself whether to use ‘elegy’ or ‘ode’; never liked the second, and the first reminded me of Boccaccio’s ‘Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta’, where he defended the memory of a lady (indeed dead), plus it sounds better, hence the use 🙂
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Definitely different to my mad dash through it back in 2002! Lol
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Yes, it changed a lot!
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I remember King’s Cross from my trip 11 years ago to Europe as it was where my relatives and I took a night bus to Birmingham. I don’t really remember the rest, though. Reading about how this part of London has changed dramatically toward a better direction is really heartening, especially knowing that the locals are still an integral part of life there. By the way, I did notice the different tone in your photos, and my curiosity was answered by your reply to a previous comment. Love all of those colors!
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It’s incredible how much a difference a camera that hasn’t got 10 years make on one’s photographic skills (or lack thereof!). A night bus from King’s Cross to Birmingham? There is only one question… why?!
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Kings Cross has been gentrified? Hipsters have an iconography? With age and experience, nuance usually seeps into opinions. It’s a much calmer way to look at things.
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I agree Julie, with time all the useless and pointless crap becomes even more so. Thanks for reading and, yes, there’s such a thing as hipster iconography! Think bikes silhouettes, thick-rimmed-glasses…
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Yeah, gentrification has had its way in my little burg, thank God I bought in before it got nuts. As you say, it’s a mixed blessing. Last weekend I attended a street fair, walking distance away, along with 5 or 10 thousand other folks. It was on a street that when I moved to this neighborhood 30 years ago was considered a center for drugs and crime and is now “trendy”.
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Well, isn’t that convenient? Not for those who fancied having their pusher within walking distance though!
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A beautifully written elegy, Fabrizio, and with some wonderful photos too! Exactly 10 years ago I lived just down the road from King’s Cross while in London on a three-month internship – being a student I rented a cheap room in a boarding house and shared a kitchen with at least 8-10 others. The funny thing is I never did pay a visit to Platform 9 and ¾. Have you seen the plans from Heatherwick Studio for that new boutique shopping mall in those former Victorian coal sheds? It’s a bit bonkers with the gabled roofs given a contemporary twist (and quite literally so). I don’t think I would recognize King’s Cross if I walked through that same area today.
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Hi James! Yes, the modern addendum to that row of workshops is quite striking, and in reality is getting on to be quite nice… I think platform 9 3/4 is quite a new thing, I’m surprised they haven’t put a meter in front because it’s free of charge…
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Wow what amazing writing and photography, I felt like I was there with you 😊
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Thanks Content Catnip! 🙂
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