Exercises in getting lost and flanerie

         
      I have to admit that the biggest improvement I've made since I came to London last year is that I am really enjoying hanging out alone in this big city. I even believe that getting lost is such a fortunate thing. One person can always meet unexpected surprise by accident in London, a city which is full of culture and creativity. In other words, you can find out new things only when you totally get lost. And that's indeed the joy of exploration.
        Last weekend I chose Covent Garden as my start point and alternatively traced one route towards a spot that I pick on the map as my destination. I walked around Covent Garden, feeling the joy of being one of the happy and relaxed crowd. I roamed along the way without thinking about anything, but looking up and down. Only in this way can I catch every detail that around me, for instance, the  flower on balcony, the book read by people who sitting in a cafe, the funny effect of street art, etc.  What a pity if a person always holds a cellphone in hand following the route directed by google map, as  he's going to miss all these sorts of experience.

      Fortunately, I got a trick this time as well. Just when I arrived at a theatre where Mamma Mia is played, I saw a street map which indicated that there's a gallery called Somerset House nearby. I recognized the name immediately, since I was sure that I had seen its add in the tube station. Guess what, it was hosting an exhibition  about Tim Walker's photographs!! That's exact what I had planned to visit someday. And doubtlessly, the exhibition was extraordinarily good indeed.