London House, Mecklenburgh Square (near Russell Sq), London, UK (1970)
This is London House, the place where I first resided in London. I stayed here one year only (1969-1970) because at that time it was a student residence for boys only; when I got married in September 1970, I had to move out. But the experience of having lived here was absolutely priceless. One cannot imagine a more British environment than this, both the building itself and the neighbourhood. The place was even run by a former British Army officer; his name was Lieutenant Colonel Eric C.T. Wilson.
For me, a young Canadian college student, who had never really left the comfort of home for a long period of time, moving here meant a drastic change in lifestyle. But I have really good memories of London House, its austere dining hall, its formal-looking library, its dark hallways reminiscent to those in a monastery, its Neo-Georgian architecture complete with an inner courtyard, its ultra-simply furnished guestrooms, a very English staff whose female members always called you LOVE. I'm only sorry that I didn't take more photos of the place; but I have a few – see next two shots. Also, I made several good friends in London House one of whom has remained my best friend to this day. I'll have more on him later in the set.
A few words about the building and the neighbourhood. London House was built in three stages between 1935 and 1963. It could accommodate 300 students. There is a plaque attached to the building – which I read but didn't photograph – that praises Canada for having contributed financially to the construction of London House. Less than 150 m down the street on the left – Doughty Street – is the Charles Dickens Museum, which is housed in the building where Charles Dickens lived between 1837 and 1839. It is the only surviving house in which the famous writer lived in London.
London House, Mecklenburgh Square (near Russell Sq), London, UK (1970)
This is London House, the place where I first resided in London. I stayed here one year only (1969-1970) because at that time it was a student residence for boys only; when I got married in September 1970, I had to move out. But the experience of having lived here was absolutely priceless. One cannot imagine a more British environment than this, both the building itself and the neighbourhood. The place was even run by a former British Army officer; his name was Lieutenant Colonel Eric C.T. Wilson.
For me, a young Canadian college student, who had never really left the comfort of home for a long period of time, moving here meant a drastic change in lifestyle. But I have really good memories of London House, its austere dining hall, its formal-looking library, its dark hallways reminiscent to those in a monastery, its Neo-Georgian architecture complete with an inner courtyard, its ultra-simply furnished guestrooms, a very English staff whose female members always called you LOVE. I'm only sorry that I didn't take more photos of the place; but I have a few – see next two shots. Also, I made several good friends in London House one of whom has remained my best friend to this day. I'll have more on him later in the set.
A few words about the building and the neighbourhood. London House was built in three stages between 1935 and 1963. It could accommodate 300 students. There is a plaque attached to the building – which I read but didn't photograph – that praises Canada for having contributed financially to the construction of London House. Less than 150 m down the street on the left – Doughty Street – is the Charles Dickens Museum, which is housed in the building where Charles Dickens lived between 1837 and 1839. It is the only surviving house in which the famous writer lived in London.