Monday, January 30, 2006
Southall
I would love to go to London again! This morning I read the Travel Dispatch section of the New York Times Online and got some great ideas.
One of the places I would go would be to Southall. According to the artice A Real Taste of South Asia? Take the Tube to Southall: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/travel/29dayout.html?8td&emc=td, it is a suburb 10 miles west of Central London known as the city's most authentic "Little India."
The article says that to get there, "Take an hour ride on the tube's Central or District line to Ealing Broadway, then a quick (five- to eight-minute) connection on the First Great Western Link railroad ... The train doors at Southall open to a sweet mix of incense and spices, with signs welcoming visitors in English and Punjabi. When leaving the train station, make a right and head down the hill, following the twinkling strings of lights shaped like hot peppers and fireworks that adorn South Road's street lamps. Pass the Glassy Junction pub, at 97 South Road; (44-20) 8574-1626, and you're right in the thick of things. The neighborhood's hub is around the intersection of South Road and the Broadway, a narrow strip that some say gives Mumbai traffic a run for its rupees. 'The Broadway is one of the most densely populated spots in the country, Janpal Basran, manager of the Southall Community Alliance, said. 'It's so congested here.'"
Since I am familiar with the tube and it is easy to use, I think this would be a do-able day trip. The article says that Southall is two stops by train from Heathrow Airport, also.
The article also talks about various houses of worship. It says that "The Vishwa Hindu Mandir, a Hindu temple just off the Broadway on 2 Lady Margaret Road, is worth a stop. The main sanctuary is like a spiritual diorama - a carpeted room and with gilded molding and a gated stage, where child-size statues of Hindu gods stand wearing sparkling robes, jewelry and crowns." I would love to visit this temple but I don't think I would have the nerve to go into it uninvited.
One of the places I would go would be to Southall. According to the artice A Real Taste of South Asia? Take the Tube to Southall: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/travel/29dayout.html?8td&emc=td, it is a suburb 10 miles west of Central London known as the city's most authentic "Little India."
The article says that to get there, "Take an hour ride on the tube's Central or District line to Ealing Broadway, then a quick (five- to eight-minute) connection on the First Great Western Link railroad ... The train doors at Southall open to a sweet mix of incense and spices, with signs welcoming visitors in English and Punjabi. When leaving the train station, make a right and head down the hill, following the twinkling strings of lights shaped like hot peppers and fireworks that adorn South Road's street lamps. Pass the Glassy Junction pub, at 97 South Road; (44-20) 8574-1626, and you're right in the thick of things. The neighborhood's hub is around the intersection of South Road and the Broadway, a narrow strip that some say gives Mumbai traffic a run for its rupees. 'The Broadway is one of the most densely populated spots in the country, Janpal Basran, manager of the Southall Community Alliance, said. 'It's so congested here.'"
Since I am familiar with the tube and it is easy to use, I think this would be a do-able day trip. The article says that Southall is two stops by train from Heathrow Airport, also.
The article also talks about various houses of worship. It says that "The Vishwa Hindu Mandir, a Hindu temple just off the Broadway on 2 Lady Margaret Road, is worth a stop. The main sanctuary is like a spiritual diorama - a carpeted room and with gilded molding and a gated stage, where child-size statues of Hindu gods stand wearing sparkling robes, jewelry and crowns." I would love to visit this temple but I don't think I would have the nerve to go into it uninvited.
