London Southbank stretches from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge and on to Southwark Underground and London South Bank University to St. George's Cathedral, Imperial War Museum back to Lambeth Bridge writes Theresia Kopper.
Images : www.londontown.com
"Vite, vite cross" shouts one of two French as they enter the area of South Bank, which is a true cultural quarter stretching along the right bank of the river Thames.
Exploring South Bank London, along the river Thames starting at the iconic London Eye.
Today is all sunshine and blue skies – and a multiplicity of languages.
"Mille Grazie!" responds one young Italian to the woman who hands him a bottle of water.
A family who plans a picture together, exchanges ideas in Arabic about the right position opposite the London Eye.
"Lass mal sehen", says the wife to her German husband, taking the London map, while a young Dutch boy shakes his head, says "Ik denk het niet", and points in the other direction, indicating to go this way to his family.
Looking at the London Eye, a Latin-American young woman expresses her astonishment with "Orale! No manches" and a young Chinese woman says "Guòlái", to her boyfriend and stroll to watch a street artist.
The iconic London Eye within this area attracts many people world-wide who want to get a breath-taking view over the capital of England and just from the left side of the London Eye, opposite the river, the well-known clock Big Ben, currently covered for renovation, can be seen.
City cruisers take London visitors on a journey along the Thames, while seagulls fly over the water, like guardians guardians keeping watch.
Walking along the tree-lined river bank, which is shade-giving on this wonderful sunny day in London, I am caught up in an outdoor space full of life, laughter, and enjoyment.
There is an artist portraying a young woman, people clustering and moving to rhythms of self-made drums from young musicians.
Then a bit further on the opposite side a street performer in a silver Ghostbuster costume making young girls and boys giggle.
There is also a sandbox where toddlers are playing while their moms with one eye on their youngsters chatting with each other, another group of performers in African traditional costumes are setting up their act of dancing, a young lady playing guitar and filling the air with her voice receiving coins in her guitar case.
A range of street food is on offer for the small hunger and fresh fruit shakes to appease the thirst as well as ice-cream stands to complete the summer feeling close to the river.
Nearby restaurants offer more formal dining.
Office worker pleased to have finished for the day stand in circles with glasses of wine, beer or cocktail, while joggers and strollers make their way along the river.
Friends sitting and chatting at park benches, young and mature couples walking and smiling – all enjoying a sunny late afternoon
Walking along the river bank, the soul of Southbank can be experienced – lively, inviting, open, friendly, and spaces for everyone.
There is a skate space for young people practicing their moves, for book lovers a market, the Golden carousel for all ages, artistic performances including music, dance and pantomime, a sandbox for children as well as a variety of street food and upcoming food markets at the centre square of Southbank.
As an Austrian in London all I can say is "Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein".