columbia.road.flower.market

you have heard about this sunday flower market and you finally got the chance to experience it in person. it does live up to your expectations. there're two sides to this market, first the flower market which is really lively and vibrant. It is just too bad that you don't live here so buying a bunch of flowers would be too much. after all  your journey didn't end here. you want to experience a true eastender vibes.

 first the vintage shops browsing, it's really fun!  when you first arrive the shops aren't busy , that give you room and space to browse comfortably.

 lovely second hand plates, teapots, cups and saucers, only they don't come cheap, certainly not when you're earning euro and spending pound sterlings... for now, it's good to behold with your eyes...

 a vintage shop with a cafe at the back

bustling and crowded with people, enjoying a cup of coffee and cakes... not so much a breakfast thing but still it has its own charm...

 there are plenty of vintage shop at both sides of the road,

 well, strictly speaking some are not vintage but really nice boutiques to browse... you love these animal cups

 and even just looking at the window display is a nice things to do on sunday morning....

 the merchandise in a shop specializing in garden items, very unique, nostalgic and romantic

 more garden decorations at the court yard

 you're hungry by then, and you're not in mood for sweet breakfast, the bagel shop that you want to frequent is still far away, so this cafe seems to be a nice choice. a good array of bagels with different fillings, your choice of salmon and egg bagel and a cup of hot chocolate. you sat at the corner and watching the world goes by, people come, people go... greeting and casual chat with some... all in all a very comfy and inviting experience, the food is yum too!

 with the energy pick-up, you continue browsing... colorful utensils, so tempted to pick up a few but you know it will be way cheaper in asia.

 and this shop has everything that you're in love with. all rustic, hand made, pretty yet the shop has a very melancholic mood, you feel a little blue and surreal with every pretty things yet in reality you know these are all useless things for real life. it's like you come here and buy yourself a dream!

 more household shops

 and some fancy, not one of a kind accessories

 at the end of the road, a few restaurants, all fill with people having their brunch and enjoying their sunday moments....

all in all, you're here more for the atmosphere of the vintage shops than really for the flower market.  this road has a true vintage chic in every sense.  the truth is vintage doesn't come cheap these days...
if you ever have another chance to stay over the weekend, you will be back again!

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you try to help a friend to self help, but the result is not as you anticipated.  it's just a pity some people choose to live in denial and avoid confrontation.  you don't like confrontation either but it is necessary for you to grow to be a better person.  to end, a bible verse that very appropriate to the situation. proverbs 27:17 "as iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend"
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