The City or The Sanctuary? It’s a question I ask myself a lot. Long before I got Gina, there have been two places that have a special place in my heart.
And in these two days, as I have done many a time, I experienced both. I still don’t have an answer, but maybe you can decide for me.
Let’s go chronologically and begin with The City:
The City.
London… Obviously.
A majority of my projects so far have been me going to London for one reason or another. As someone that was born in the city but grew up outside of it, I regularly end the day with a bitter taste in my mouth. Getting on a train to leave the City limits, it’s depressing.
I hope there’s a day where I don’t have to leave London to go home.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me introduce an American friend that flew out. This is Taylor. I call her TT. (Texas Taylor)
We explored the Portobello Road area which includes these pastel coloured houses. Very photogenic houses as you can see:
Seeing homes such as these in areas like the Borough of Kensington & Chelsea make me wonder how much they go for. And then I begin to think what’s in them. Every time I think, it’s not worth what the market says it is.
And that’s what jars me about London. So close, yet so far, in more ways than one.
Let’s cheer this up. Graffiti anyone?
There were some others I took throughout the day but couldn’t find a consistent thread so let’s cap off with some random heat:
Blue plaque for Russell Henderson.
Blue plaque for Bob Marley, Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer.
Love my liminal spaces.
I might make this a thing. Kind of enjoy the differences in Tube platforms.
The Sanctuary
What I call the woodland area where I walk the dog.
If/when I leave my current residence for London, this will be the place I miss the most. I go there to walk the dog (and the dog before him.) practically daily. It’s been the place I spend to walk, sit, take in reasonably fresh air and either think about everything or nothing at all.
It’s my sanctuary in every sense of the word. I’d probably go there regardless if I had a dog or not. I’ve been going there for years and at this point, holds a ton of sentimental value.
So whilst one seems inevitable, I still have the other and hopefully at least one will be available to me at all times.
So which one d’you prefer? The City, or The Sanctuary?
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.