Walking Among the Scholars: Learning!

Set in the part of London that is home to the Bloomsbury Group, Dickens' House, and the University College campus, this walk begs for a scholarly photo-essay theme. Not one to refuse such begging, I chose the theme of "Learning!" to the Walk Among the Scholars. My photos captured Learning! in its various venues and icons found along this walk. This is a rather eclectic group of photos, but that randomness is a demonstration of the diverse forms that Learning! can take and how it is remembered.


"Irony"
Being one of the more dingy buildings of Learning! we encountered, I thought it ironic to be the home to London's School of Hygiene. I also found the tropical medicine part of my Learning! experience on this walk. Who even knew there was such a thing as tropical medicine? It is just another demonstration of the great diversity of education London has to offer.




"University College!"
The University College of London, where a lot of Learning! takes place for the young and old of London. The atmosphere and campus of this very different from those I have experience. The fact that it is located in the middle of London may have something to do with it. The building pictured is the medical building.


"Learning! Mummified"
Pictured above is Jeremy Bentham. No, not a statue of Jeremy Benthem. Those are the actual remains of the father of Utilitarianism (minus the wax head). I thought this was a very interesting, and incredibly creepy, way to celebrate Learning! at University College. His clothed skeleton is kept in a case on campus, as per his requests in his will.


"Urban Campus"
This is a bit different form the quad at BYU. University College offers a diverse and cultured education experience for its students, being located in London where students are in close vicinity to concerts, plays, museums, and libraries to enhance their Learning!


"Gandhi"
Found in the Peace Gardens at Tavistock Square is this statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The gardens offer a peaceful place for students and others to come reflect quietly on their Learning! A statue of Gandhi is appropriate in a place where people come to meditate and reach a higher level of Learning! apart from the lectures, books, and technology.


"In One Building"
Anything one might need to inspire and perpetuate Learning! is found in the British Library. Many ground-breaking historical document are housed here, as well as floors of books, and quiet rooms for study.


"Magical Learning!"
Every year at King's Cross Station, hundreds of witches and wizards from around Great Britain gather to saunter (or joyfully skip) through Platform 9 3/4. From this platform, they continue to Hogwarts for Magical Learning!


"Are You?"
Towards the end of the walk, we encountered this place of learning. It wasn't included in our walks book, but it causes one to stop and reflect. Am I good enough? For Learning! in London? The answer, not necessarily communicated by the forbidding closed gates, is yes! London offers a rich legacy of thinkers and reformers that continually inspire those that seek Learning! within the city today.

Walking through the city: London's businessmen in their various habitats

For this walk, the theme I chose was "Businessmen in their various habitats." This area of the city is the financial center of London. As a group of four American twenty-somethings we looked somewhat out of place among the business suits and worrisome men and women power walking through the area, so I thought it would be interesting to study these accountants and other financial-types in their habitats, both natural and surprising.


"Three Businessmen"
Three businessmen in their natural habitat of cement and modern marble buildings. They are probably discussing important financial world issues. I'm sure they look more confident then they feel at this point in time.


"Lunch at St. Pauls"
Our walk started at St. Paul's Cathedral, where many business men and women take their lunch and snack breaks. The steps are usually covered with black and charchoal suits chatting and munching on their sandwiches and baguettes.



"Organic vs. Corporate"
I thought that this was an interesting juxtaposition and a surprising habitat for business people at the market at Cheapside. This organic and fresh food is probably much appreciated by the health-conscious business people of the area.


"Pubness"
A less surprising habitat still in the Cheapside area, businessmen gathered at a pub. This is a more cathartic activity for them I believe, as opposed to relaxing. They come here to let off steam; there was a rather heated discussion taking place between the men at the table.


"The Hung, the Drawn, and the Quartered"
Again, a natural habitat at the "Hung, Drawn, and Quartered" pub. Though I couldn't capture it without appearing to be a creep, there were a number of businessmen outside this pub. The man that I did capture looks like he's been hung, drawn, and quartered mentally.


"Natural Habitat"
This book market outside of a church is what inspired my theme. These men took a break from their working day to peruse a variety of literature. This is a good demonstration of London businessmen in particular in their natural habitat; this country and city loves to read.



"Home, please."
These next two pictures were taken towards the end of the day, and all of the business men and women hurry home to simple be people.


"I want to die a little"
...but some have to pause for some extra unwinding. Smoke break: natural habitat. This man looked so worn and stressed as he took one more smoke break on the Thames before heading home. It was an accurate representation of how a lot of people working in financial districts throughout the world look and feel right now.

Harmonious Nature and Hyde Park

For my walk through Hyde Park, I chose the theme of the park providing a place for the people of London to be closer to nature. Though Hyde Park is man-made, it is designed in such a way that makes it a great relief from the noise and dirt of the city. The open fields for sport or lounging, the classical design of the gardens, and the tranquil Serpentine lake all contribute to the unrushed quiet atmosphere of Hyde Park.






This is a visual representation of how being in Hyde Park makes one feel. To be specific, how it made me feel as I came into harmony with nature and autumness in Hyde Park. Hyde Park, while it is well treed and has an abundance of walking paths and gardens, it also has open fields. Some people play football (soccer, kids), some lounge, some make out, some be homeless, but all are able to enjoy the green grass and crisp air of autumn.




I took this picture because it shows that Hyde Park is man-made and manicured without being overbearingly manufactured or imposing. The gates are low and delicately designed, keeping park-goers off of the grass but not making them feel too resitricted. The benches also provide a comfortable way to lounge and relax under the trees.




In the Holocaust Memorial Gardens, there are a number of archways like this one. The arch is a common form in classical and Palladian architecture because it is considered to be harmonious with nature. It is man-made, but the person walking through this structure also has the impression of walking through under a canopy of tree branches and leaves, a natural arch.



The Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park provides a venue for recreation as well as reflection. Bodies of water are inherently peaceful, and bring a piece of the wilderness with them in the sound of waves on the shore and being able to float and bob on the lake in a boat.


Unfortunately, you have to pay to sit in these chairs and enjoy the lake. However, they are an icon in Hyde Park as well as other London parks. The fortunate ones with a few pounds to spare are able to blissfully enjoy being at harmony with nature while reclining in these adorable chairs near the lake.




Hyde Park offers another way of getting in touch with nature here on Rotten Row, where one can pay for riding lessons or to rent a horse to ride. While this is a bit more tamed than galloping through an open field, it is still a way to have a more rugged experience in the midst of the city.



This is another example of how the structures in Hyde Park remain unimposing while still serving their purpose. Symmetry and straight lines were used in classical architecture for their soothing and peaceful qualitites. Hyde Park is full of symmetry and parallels in the fences, tree-lines, and benches.



And finally, I end with a picture of Hailee and Holli being at one with nature and autumn. Though this isn't a common activity in Hyde Park, it is a recommended one. Be harmonious. Throw leaves around. Embrace nature.