London (after Brexit): July 27-29, 2016 (off Off Tokyo)

I visited London for the first time in seven years. It was about a month after the referendum which supported to leave EU, known as Brexit.

The metropolis looked as it had been. The towns were crowded and busy. The streets were full of foreign tourists. The river Themes was full of tourist boast.

The hotels raised the EU flag with other nations’ flags. The Financial Times raised the EU flag, not the UK flag, with the company’s flag.

People enjoy the summer evening in the Primrose hills. (see the second photo from the top)

There were some changes behind. The business persons I met worried about the negative impacts of the Brexit in the future. They also made complaints about additional tasks they have to do because of Brexit.

The bookshops displayed various kinds of European books, including a book titled “EU Obituary".

There were more bicycles than several years ago. There is a bicycle lane in the Victoria Embankment, which runs along the Thames River. I found many cyclists enjoy cycling there.

The cyclists were waiting a green signal in front of the Big Ben (see the top photo).

I also found bicycle lanes in the Bloomsbury, near the British Museum and University College London.

There are many bike-share stations in the towns.

The number of joggers are also increasing. Some business persons were running to with their business suits in their backpacks to their homes.

The East end of London used to be a rough are. The 2012 London Olympic Games were hosted there and the area was redeveloped.

The Olympic site has turned to a memorial park. Kids were playing in the summer wind.

A shopping center opened around the the Stratford station. There were various shops along the road to the park. 

I felt the towns were full of energy. The residents include many Asian, Arabic and African immigrants and there are many children.