Car-free shopping December 1
Ok, so it’s been a week but I still wanted to post this, been a bit busy!
Last Saturday was great – it was the first ever car-free shopping day along Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets, so while Lija and Brett went up to Birmingham for the weekend, I went and spent the day in the city.
I was meant to work but the shift got cancelled late, and I still had to work Sunday. I remembered hearing about the streets closing for shopping days but it didn’t occur that it was this day. I just wanted to go to John Lewis and check out their wool department and get a few things from Primark. Both of which I did quite successfully, but not before sharing in the fun and antics around the streets.
It wasn’t busy when I first got into the city just after midday, everyone decided to jam into the city in the afternoon, probably with the same idea as everyone else – that it would be quieter – ha! The atmosphere was buzzing, the serious shoppers were between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus tubes along Oxford Street, they were the ones looking flustered and carrying too many bags. But most people seemed to be in quite an amiable mood, stopping to watch the street acts, all who were giving ‘free shows’ in other words not asking for money, in the spirit of Christmas.
There were stilt people, toy soldiers, reindeers, penguins, fairies, elves, gingerbread people, presents, Christmas crackers, and the cartoon characters from Hamley’s toy store in Regent Street – Spongebob, Shrek, Dora the explorer and Paddington Bear. Starbucks were giving out free mini coffees, I got a free drink, chocolates and even free HUGS!
Those nutters with their free hug signs were jumping on people all over Regent asking if random strangers wanted hugs – this punk arse kid with a skateboard was like ‘oh right then’, but I think that’s because a pretty girl asked him. I got a hug from the guy who gave me chocolates, and then further down the street I was taking a photo of another group of them and the two girls directly in front of me both jumped over for a hug. They claim to be a karma cult, for people who believe doing good deeds will give you good karma back. It’s nice to see people who don’t take themselves too seriously and can have fun and a laugh.
That’s what I miss most about my crazy friends back home. Interchange camps with too much red bull, chocolate and late night antics. Let’s just say this New Year’s is going to be a bit dull compared to last years!
Tags: Travel
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