England: Taylor DuVarney (Dérive)

Dérive

The hustle and bustle around King’s Cross Station is a sharp contrast to the quiet and peaceful streets of South Kensington. Travelers with large suitcases filled the streets, walking quickly in and out of the station. I tuned into the multiple languages being spoken and tried to pick up on any Spanish conversations I could get within earshot of. Other sounds included cars honking, children on field trips, and construction of nearby properties. It was an overstimulating experience, and I wanted to seek out a quieter area. As I ventured further from the station, the bustle seemed to ease slightly. I took an interest in the architecture of the buildings I passed by. They were of a similar height and shape to the ones in Kensington: slender and about 4-5 stories tall. The brick of the buildings was a light shade of brown and well-kept.

One large contrast to the buildings in Kensington was the graffiti. As I was close to Camden, many buildings on street corners had graffiti lining the sides containing vibrant words and pictures. Graffiti is a part of the culture in the Camden area, and it is interesting to see and appreciate the artwork. Continuing my walk, the greenery stuck out to me as well. Even near a large station, various trees and plants were scattered throughout the area, adding to London’s diverse greenery and eco-conscious efforts. At the end of my walk, I sat on a bench to collect my thoughts. I was surprised at how peaceful the area felt, even with the traffic and the station being so close. Everyone was on their journey and was preoccupied by it. Overall, I do not think much could have changed my outlook on my walk. Maybe if it were less busy, I would notice more of the landscape than the people in it. I loved getting to explore a new area and the opportunity to compare a new area to Kensington.

Taylor DuVarney

Major: International Studies and Spanish

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin