A VILLAGE BY THE STATION

I have seen Kings Cross change throughout my years in London.  The chaotic areas near the station are now home to some of the most polished, cool hotels in the city, lounge cocktail bars, rooftops and urban gardens mixed with trendy boutiques.  

That is not the reality though; that is a treat.  The reality about stations around the world is that they are also places where lost people congregate. People who leave home and remain on the fringes of society unable to find their place.  For centuries bad people would visit the stations first in order to take advantage of any victims they came across.

Those lost people are still to be found there today. Nothing has changed. Therefore, I was so happy to see another side to London. Not the cocktail and brunch King’s Cross, but a community. Sometimes we forget that King’s Cross is also a community of city dwellers; an area where someone would not feel scared to visit or spend some time. 

I hope these places will last forever because everyone especially around a big station should feel welcome.

I went to the Mexican Dia De Muertos Festival. A street party which was organised near the Common Ground Garden. Reconnecting people with nature, celebrating Mexican Culture and moreover dancing, eating and being together.

We had a coffee at Flori Canto. Excellent smoothies: the owner knows how to mix spices and make delicious soft drinks. Top quality coffee too. The music was great, and the ambience was colourful. I believe he was also serving free food for the day. The place is next to an art gallery showing Mexican traditional artwork.

Somers Gallery 96 Chalton Street 
London NW1 1HJ

FLORI CANTO 90 Chalton St, London NW1 1SP

I went there with friends and their kids. Central London became a village without being precious. Real honest energy. I am not sure how to explain it. I was happy. I was relaxed.

The whole thing inspired me to search for more local happenings. They support something which goes beyond a calendar of events. They support humanity.