Two Days in London, September 2022

I arrived in London on the evening of September 22nd. The city felt quiet, almost solemn. Walking down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, the streets were lined with Union Jacks, still in place from the recent state events. The architecture was brightly illuminated against the dark, cloudy sky, from Admiralty Arch to the palace itself. There were temporary floodlights and barriers everywhere, reminders of the crowds that had been there just days before.

The next day, the mood was different. The sun came out, and the city felt more like its usual bustling self. I spent some time in one of the parks, where the Peace Pagoda stood out against the blue sky. Later, I headed to Trafalgar Square, which was full of people sitting by the fountains and on the steps of the National Gallery. I went inside for a while, taking in the grand interiors with their ornate ceilings and massive chandeliers. It was a trip of contrasts, from the formal quiet of the memorials at night to the lively, everyday energy of the city in the daylight.