Came True, Today

Part 4

As a courier I go through that intersection every day. Driving north on Grove End Road I am usually more amused than annoyed as I approach the intersection with Abbey Road. The craziness is right in front of me, so I get a quick look before I swing right and continue on Grove End, my usual route. I avoid the daily drama of tourists at the zebra crossing and I get the classic view up the street to the north.

Except from further back it is almost unrecognizable as a famous corner. Too many things intrude on the edges.

Usually it's just a bunch of random tourists wanting to block the road. Though occasionally things get a lot more involved.

Of course, when I have to continue through the intersection to the north and cross through the photo zone, I begin to get apprehensive about two blocks away because I can't see the intersection well enough to know if it will be an easy traverse.

Approaching it I always slow down, as there are lots of people around and some standing in the middle of the road.

Of course it is a large intersection as four roads, or three, come together and move apart again. Grove End Road turns in from the east, where it goes hard left and south and continues. But right at that turn Abbey Road joins it from the north, making the southern portion of Grove End Road, look like the extension of Abbey Road, and requiring a turning lane for those turning right onto Abbey Road north and those on Grove End Road who want to turn south. And to complicate matters, angled west from this imperfect intersection is the entrance to Garden Road. There is an island in the roadway but it denotes the odd turn of Grove End Road rather than being centered in the intersection.

Some drivers slow down as they approach due to the milling tourists. Locals like me approach with caution and then zip through once it's clear for fear we will be stuck there.

I have seen all matter of things in the intersection and at all hours. From movie and television productions for various things, usually advertisements, to acting troupes, mime artists and the never ending gatherings of tourists and photo touts.

Fame, being what it is, I have often wondered if the interest in this intersection will fade with time. I mean, there must have been places in Ancient Rome that those new to Rome made sure to visit for cultural reasons, but time has rendered those pilgrimages to nothing and raised new ones. I understand that the place where Caesar was knifed is still of interest, but fewer people are in the know. I wonder if it is marked with a plaque? I know people still check out the Pantheon, but I'm betting the street scape has changed.

And then there are the American tourists who always seem surprised as cars zip by them from an unexpected direction. Makes me laugh. Okay, it's tourists in general as almost everyone else in the world seems to drive on the wrong side of the road. I can sympathize as I have been to Paris and experienced the same thing in reverse.

Just a quick right and I'm outta there, leaving the craziness behind.

****************

A group of people stood on both sides of the zebra crossing. Some had just gone through and others were watching the traffic clear. A northbound delivery truck paused a second and darted right. The sharp-eyed noticed his signal light, the sharp witted didn't trust it.

"If we can manage this photo I'm sure the school will put it up in a good spot. It should make the yearbook at least."

"The photo guy says he has a wide lens but this is difficult. He wants 60 pounds, charging us double because he expects its going to take at least 10 tries to get it right."

"We don't have 60 pounds without draining all our cash. Will he take American?"

The negotiator came back with good news. The photo tout would take US cash but wanted $90 and wasn't too happy about taking the 'funny money'.