Wednesday, July 02, 2008

The backstreets of Brighton

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I went to Brighton yesterday. I’ve lived nearby most of my life, but I’ve never really been sure if I actually like the place.
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It has a vibrancy about it that I’ve experienced nowhere else in the world, not even in London. It’s alive, it’s fun, it’s a happening place. It’s the gay capital of the UK and the Goth centre of the universe! The population is young and trendy, and you find something to surprise you around every corner.

Art and music abound, whether on the street or in the galleries of North Laine. Its Restaurants are daring, experimental and as often as not, vegetarian! Its thousands of small shops are invariably decked out in a riot of colour and refuse to conform to the normal image of the High Street.
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But I don’t know. I sometimes feel I’m on another planet. I have never felt I belonged there. I feel like ha gate crasher at some exclusive outrageous wacky party!

But there is a normal Brighton, if there is such a thing as normal. It has the obligatory shopping mall with all the usual names, a beach, pier, parks, gardens and churches. Children in school uniform and elderly people are there among the trendy young peacocks strutting the streets.
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I visit now and again. I try to soak up some of the atmosphere, and as often as not I do leave with a bit of a buzz about me. In fact yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had for ages. I spent it entirely in the North Laine district and came away with 175 photos!
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A few I’ve used here, but if you want to see more, in far better quality then click HERE and by the magic of the interweb you will find yourself
walking the narrow backstreets of the City of Brighton.
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8 comments:

  1. Another blogger posted a photo of Hollywood and Vine today. What you said about Brighton is how I feel about Hollywood; lived nearby most of my life and was never really sure if I liked the place. I guess I do. The Brighton shops remind me of Hollywood Blvd. and for that matter Venice Beach. I guess tourist traps are the same the world over.

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  2. Wow!
    This was such a cool post! I would love to visit Brighten, to people watch. It looks much different than Brighten Co. USA! What an interesting place!
    Kim

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  3. I feel like I've been on a little trip with you!
    Thanks for popping by my cyberspace place
    Sending good vibes your way from the States,
    Frances

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  4. Great pictures. I would feel their at home straight away. We have a brighton with a beach and a pier as well but not with such wonderful colours.
    BTW I've got an award waiting for you

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  5. I think I visited Brighton once. Obviously a very rememberable experience, hehe. Nice post.

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  6. Sounds and looks like a very funky place to visit.

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  7. I've only been to Brighton once, when I was in my early teenage years and remember very little about it.

    Seeing as I live just along the coast, maybe I should revisit, especially after reading your post and seeing your photographs.

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