A Week in London
(
159)
Mon 2008/06/16 10:00
I've only been back to the UK a couple of times since moving to Japan and each time I went was usually because the company (Nature,Amazon) payed for the business trip. Here are some pics taken during my last visit.
First up is Piccadilly Circus where I used to get all my Japanese learning/heath material - a bookshop called the Japan Center opened was my doorway to discover Japan.
First up is Piccadilly Circus where I used to get all my Japanese learning/heath material - a bookshop called the Japan Center opened was my doorway to discover Japan.
Regent Street - the biggest toy shop in the UK Hamleys is here where I used to visit all the time for the Star Wars goodies.
Hackney London - voted one of the worst places to live in the UK.
Tottenham Court Road where I used to get my electronic equipment from. Where should folks go in your region to pick up good electronics? All I know of is Yong San in Seoul.
London China Town which has a restaurant called Wong Kei where the waiters say things like "you drop your chopsticks and you not get no more" and are incredibly rude. But their food is delicious which is why they are popular. Not sure if they are still there.
Would you go back to a restaurant if the service is crap but food good n cheap?
Would you go back to a restaurant if the service is crap but food good n cheap?
On a double decker round bus - not sure if there are any left. Many buses are now square.
Outside my dads couture studio.
The food I buy to bring back to Japan. Must stock up on the PG Tips n biscuits!
Oxford Street full O shops. My dads studio is at the other end at Marble Arch.
Hmmm, as I write this I really feel like going back for a visit ^^;
I remember when I first moved to Japan after 27 years of living in the UK since birth. Even though I longed to live in Japan, I would still visualize me being back in the UK walking about town. I do miss it from time to time but have no intentions of going back to live/retire - pretty happy living in Japan.
Do you live in a country other than the place of your birth? Do you prefer it where you are or long to be back at your homeland?
Hmmm, as I write this I really feel like going back for a visit ^^;
I remember when I first moved to Japan after 27 years of living in the UK since birth. Even though I longed to live in Japan, I would still visualize me being back in the UK walking about town. I do miss it from time to time but have no intentions of going back to live/retire - pretty happy living in Japan.
Do you live in a country other than the place of your birth? Do you prefer it where you are or long to be back at your homeland?
To stop a bus you need to hold out your arm. This reminded me of the good ol days at night where the driver was in a rush to get home - they would just drive by leaving the smoke in yer face and dust in yer teeth. Do bus drivers do this in your region too?
On a square bus.
Me, my dad and a colleague from Amazon. Amazon had many ladies who seemed to like my dads shoes. Whenever possible, I would arrange for them to go meet him.
Yes I used to have long hair but the weight of it meant that it sped up the balding rate for me which is why I cut it short^^;;;
Yes I used to have long hair but the weight of it meant that it sped up the balding rate for me which is why I cut it short^^;;;
Where I live. My mum got mugged twice in this area.
More of the local neighborhood.
London has many train stations but not enough meaning long waits for buses that took their time to come - and when they did come they always come in threes.
One of my fave past times in London - strolling by the Thames. London is lovely when the sun is out...
I remember as a young teenager coming here on my own wondering where in the world my lifetime love was - so ronery ^^;;
I remember as a young teenager coming here on my own wondering where in the world my lifetime love was - so ronery ^^;;
But London usually looks like this - gloomy.
Digging up my old mac.
At my dads studio designing some shoes for my wife.
I still have my shoe making skills and planned to start my own label in Tokyo but decided to concentrate on webstuff.
For those who are wondering why I didn't follow in my dads footsteps - I wanted to go alone in a completely different field without any financial aid to see how far I could go with few hundred pounds of savings.
Reached many of my destinations (goals) in life and am setting new goals every day. The last goal was to set up a company by the age of 35 which I accomplished. Will talk about the other goals soon ^^
For those who are wondering why I didn't follow in my dads footsteps - I wanted to go alone in a completely different field without any financial aid to see how far I could go with few hundred pounds of savings.
Reached many of my destinations (goals) in life and am setting new goals every day. The last goal was to set up a company by the age of 35 which I accomplished. Will talk about the other goals soon ^^
Shopping in Tescos.
A view from my room.
Mum does a great B'fast.
Just for the lulz - me as a little blighter.
Me deciding which "eyes"-cream I should go for first.
One of my fave UK dishes - chips, scampi, peas n savaloy. Why do the Japanese complain that UK food sucks?
The day after I arrive is raid Tescos and buy the same stuff. Lord I miss UK food.
Not 3 but 5 buses on a row - after waiting 20 mins for any of these buses.
You saw what my room looked like in The Early Years 1 and this is what it looks like now.
My mum keeps a load of strange object in my room while I'm not there ^^;
My first computer - 4GB drive running on a 56k modem. I remember taking out a loan to buy that but it was the best investment ever which enabled me to learn the ways of the compuer/internets and get me a job at Japan Airlines in London which lead to a job in Japan with Nature etc etc - more of my history of getting to Japan in this article.
Gorgeous sunny day in South London.
And then suddenly I discover this big eye thing at the Thames.
Virgin airlines - nice interior but the seats a bit hard.
I think this is Covent Garden (?) a nice place to go eating and hang out.
Paying the ancestors my respects.
Name that dinosaur. Used to be a dinosaur fanatic and could name them all - but not anymore ^^;
Inside of the Natural History Museum (I think).
A follow on from The Early Years 1. This pic of me and Kylie Minogue was taken in the la...(more)
Sat 06/07 16:15 comments (125)
Yes - this is what my room used to look like in 1988...
All images in this article are ...(more)
Thu 05/29 11:11 comments (136)
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
Was born in germany (polish by decent), and later moved to Canada; Ontario to be precise. In the future, I plan to move out to British Columbia or some other place that I have yet to think about.
(ID #214097) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:09
I was born in America but lived in Mexico for about 8 years and basically grew up there. When I was 9 years old I moved out of Mexico and moved to sweet old America! I have ancestors from England, Liverpool. The last of my family to live there would be my great grandfather and some small groups of my family still do live there. I'd LOVE to visit parts of England one day, searching through the whole beautiful cities. "Would you go back to a restaurant if the service is crap but food good n cheap?" Hmm... Absolutely. Even if I'm treated like crap, the good food will take the anger away from me. Wow Danny, you used to have long hair, you should keep it like that only in Winter.
(ID #214104) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:19
The pictures are great. Thanks again!
(ID #214108) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:25
wow, those food look nice. and, Damn, i sure want to see that chinese restaurant, cheap and good, with lousy service.
(ID #214114) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:31
Secretary
Danny--you serious, your dad is Jimmy Choo??? x_X;;
(ID #214128) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:44
Secretary
BTW That was just shock--I don't think you're a liar! :P
(ID #214135) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:49
Secretary
Oh and I realized, I didn't answer. I still live in the Country/State I was born. I wish I could move though, but anywhere else just has something I don't like. Some places are too cold, or too hot, or too far from things I like, or the job market is very sparse...or too far from home (like Japan...I'd love to move there but I know I'd get homesick).
(ID #214138) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:51
Director/代表取締役
Not much to lie about ^^
(ID #214960) Posted on 2008/06/17 12:20
Secretary
:)
(ID #215033) Posted on 2008/06/17 13:45
:o i m shocked too wish i could own a pair born in china, grew up in america. i think of myself completely american.
(ID #216112) Posted on 2008/06/18 16:53
your dads the same jimmy choo as this??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Choo dude i'm in aus, and i hearda bout him, and i don't know jack all about ladies shoes or fashion lol, but i read something bout him before hahaha you and your dad are raking heaps of $$ in! hahah
(ID #214155) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:24
Secretary
Yeah, his shoes are very famous! I wanted a pair, but I can't afford them :P Probably for the best though, I have weak ankles so I can't wear heels.
(ID #214170) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:52
Secretary
Well, I can wear them, but not enough to justify spending $500+ on them ;)
(ID #214171) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:53
website designer (currently assist. graphic designer)
At least you can wear them, I have really wide feet and short toes so it's almost impossible for me to find fancy shoes u_u;~ I end up having to buy a size 9 where I'm generally a size 7-8 with sneakers
(ID #214239) Posted on 2008/06/16 14:06
Secretary
My mom has that problem with her wide feet too, that sucks! I have narrow feet, which I am glad for. I think I probably just have to learn to wear heels and it would be ok...I also have flat feet which could be an issue though too.
(ID #214270) Posted on 2008/06/16 14:52
Mahjong Musume
I had the same reaction. It seriously blew my MIND. I had to tell all my friends. Often, when I told my friends about the DannyChoo blog, I would let my mind wander and say "Jimmy Choo" and then my friends would get mad and say "It's DANNY Choo! Get it right! They're no where near related!" And look at that, you're father and son! Gosh, I'm still headblown after reading this article... Danny you should post some shoe designs of your own if you have the time~! The ladies of the blog would love it!
(ID #214224) Posted on 2008/06/16 13:38
Secretary
Yes! Danny we want to see your shoe designs (I will act as the rep. of female readers ;D). You have a very talented family Danny! Including you!
(ID #214235) Posted on 2008/06/16 14:03
Deadend Job
Now, it all make sence. In your old blog, you shown us that you know how to make shoes. You and Jimmy share the same last name. Why I didn't figure it out earlier? The reason is I'm not a woman. The first time I hear Jimmy Choo is in Sex and the City.
(ID #214731) Posted on 2008/06/17 06:24
WHOA. I thought that was just a rumor. When I saw your previous blog post about making shoes I just figured it was a coincidence.
(ID #215041) Posted on 2008/06/17 13:48
That's an Iguanodon of course, the thumbspikes pretty much gave it away. Though it's sorta odd that they have it displayed in an upright position like that.
(ID #214130) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:46
I was born in the Atlantic coast of Mexico (in the Gulf) and then moved to the center of the country where I lived in three different cities trough my life. After getting my PhD I lived for about 4 years in USA. Now very recently I'm back in Mexico (in yet another different city.... Mexico is huge and there are places where you'll think you are in a different country).
(ID #214132) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:46
Oh, I forgot to add that, altough I miss living in my original city, I like being able to do short or long stays outside of my country due to my profession (currently looking for a good excuse to go to Japan).
(ID #214148) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:02
Software Quality Engineer
Great photos!! Ahhh--- those bring back some great memories. I loved living in London. I also used to live in a crappy neighbourhood-- right on Tufnell Park / Kentish Town / Camden Town border. Still, I remember it so fondly-- good times. I miss it sometimes.
(ID #214134) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:48
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
i was born in malaysia but grew up in singapore. looking good in long hair danny, i use to have long hair as well but they tend to curves when it get too long so now its short hair for me as well. lastly hope u don't mind me asking, the most important question; is your dad really mr jimmy choo? if yes he must have conceived you at a very young age.
(ID #214140) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:54
Director/代表取締役
I'm guessing he has an official and *real* age ^^;
(ID #214187) Posted on 2008/06/16 12:23
as in chinese age and english age?
(ID #214219) Posted on 2008/06/16 13:29
chinese and "english" age has a difference of only one year right... I wiki-ed Jimmy Choo and it says that he was born in 1961. That's one year younger than my mum! Danny, mind telling us your age? XD
(ID #214276) Posted on 2008/06/16 14:57
Director/代表取締役
Fashion designers seem to have an official age and a real age - hope I'm getting the message across without saying anything that some PR agency would not want me to say ^^;;;;
(ID #214314) Posted on 2008/06/16 15:58
danny, hope i didnt blow your cover you are 1972?? http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Danny_Choo as for you dad, there i believe he isn't 1961, i remember an article in local malaysian paper about his success story and it isnt 1961.. ok i will stop probing your private life.. =p
(ID #214538) Posted on 2008/06/17 00:59
hobo
So your saying he is like the royal family ? :O does that mean we have to bow to you danny? lol
(ID #215761) Posted on 2008/06/18 08:15
I've been living in Canada since I was born. I never went on a plane so I never experience other places like Japan, UK or China. I'll be going to HK and Japan this summer and meeting some bloggers there. I wish to go to London. It seems that it's a great place to visit. Nice shoes your family designs I have to say. So, having long hair increases the balding rate... Now I'm scared...
(ID #214141) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:54
I was born in the province of Quebec and still live here. Actually, I still live in the same city I was born in, but that gona change soon, moving to Montreal for university in september. Hopefully, after I get my software engeneer degree, i'll be able to go to Japan eventually. ^^;
(ID #214142) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:57
Nice to see your old stomping grounds, and pics of lil diddy-Choo! I didnt know your dad was a shoe-ninja - now i know where you got your skills from... Kinda strange that when you visit the UK, Tecso to you is like AsobitCity to me! You stock up on Tesco biccies and tea, i stock up on figures! I heard that Tesco are gonna try and open some combinis in Tokyo soon? World domination! By the way - that dino is an Iguanadon! I used to be well into dinos too. That and fighter planes!
(ID #214144) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:00
In 2013: Tesco invades Denmark - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSi0D7KESk Are there any UK/US import stores over there? Like we have the Chinese/Korean supermarkets in every city or large town?
(ID #214313) Posted on 2008/06/16 15:57
Haha - yeah, i remember that. The tesco wars! Armando Ianucci is the funniest man in the universe! 'The Armando Ianucci shows' was my fave.
(ID #214394) Posted on 2008/06/16 20:54
Director/代表取締役
Nice vid!
(ID #214961) Posted on 2008/06/17 12:23
At first I wasn't sure if you were pulling my leg, son of Jimmy Choo. However I think your pictures were convincing. (Haven't read much of your history). Everyone's got to be their own person, ya know? If I ate at a restaurant and was treated like a piece of sh*t I wouldn't go back, and I haven't gone back when that has happened to me. That and lousy service really bug me.
(ID #214145) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:00
yes, Wong Kei is still there! and the service is as bad as ever lol
(ID #214147) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:01
I'm heading to London next week friday for the weekend. Any chance of meeting it?
(ID #214149) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:06
Director/代表取締役
meeting "it" ?!
(ID #214962) Posted on 2008/06/17 12:24
university film student
I was born in Hong Kong, lived there for most of my childhood. I miss the whole atmosphere of that place and intend to go back once I finish University here in Toronto. That said, I'd probably leave again if I marry. It may be a wonderful place for a single young male, but it's not a very good place to raise a family.
(ID #214154) Posted on 2008/06/16 11:20
ROFL! Wong Kei is still there Danny, they were actually shut down for a few weeks 2 years ago for