In my view, London is a great city because of its cosmopolitan people who live and work there every day. I wanted to know what they think about this big event called Olympics, which will take place for two weeks in their city.

Laim Carter, a 19 year-old guardsman who has lived in London for two month, poses for a picture in Chelsea. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, Carter said: “It’s good.”

I went with my camera and a basic voice recorder to the streets of Balham, Westminster, The City of London, Brixton, Wandsworth, Shoreditch, Battersea, Lambeth and Chelsea and met all kind of different people.

Tim McPherson, a 39 year-old falconer who works in London, poses with his hawk Harry for a picture at Trafalgar Square. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, McPherson said: “It’s good for Britain to host it. But traveling is going to be a nightmare.”

For example, falconer Tim who stands with his falcon Harry on Trafalgar Square to keep the pigeons away in the morning, desktop support technicia Petrica dressed as Captain America who is raising money for charity, vision technician Mark who cleans shop windows, product and development manager Alice who just moved to London and school crossing patrol warden Sue who helps children cross the street, just to name a few.

Sue West, a 59 year-old school crossing patrol warden who has lived all her life in London, poses for a picture in central London. When asked what she felt about London hosting the Olympics, West said: “Fantastic! It will bring lots of people into the country. I think it’s going be chaos traffic wise but it will be great for the people and the school children of course.”

“What do you think about London hosting the Olympics?” That’s the question I have asked more than one hundred times. Finally, more than 50 Londoners gave me an answer and their picture.

Many thanks to all of them!

Petrica Iancu, a 20 year-old desktop support technician who has lived in London for more than one year, poses for a picture in Balham. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, Drysdale said, “It’s good for the city but not good for the people who live in the Stratford area where the Olympics take part. Because of the Olympics everything get more expensive and local people can’t afford it.”

Alice Quon, a 23 year-old product and development manager who just moved to London, poses for a picture in Shoreditch. When asked what she felt about London hosting the Olympics, Quon said, “I think it’s amazing. I am really excited to be part of it. I just wanna see everything i can with all the people that will come from around the world.”

Nicolas Ameline, a 30 year-old salesman who has lived in London for five years, poses for a picture in the City of London. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, Ameline said: “I think it’s a great opportunity for London in terms of generating new business. Apart from that it will be a chaos for commuters.”

Salomon Brook, a 37 year-old party shop owner who has lived in London for twenty five years, poses for a picture in Brixton. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, Brook said: “I can’t see that the Olympics are coming. When I was in China in 2008 people did a lot more preparation in advance.”

Alex Pose Gil, a 33 year-old restaurant manager who has lived all his life in London, poses for a picture in central London. When asked what he felt about London hosting the Olympics, Pose Gil said: “At this present moment, waste of time. Financially and transport wise we are not ready and it will effect the businesses like myself.”

A walk from the Olympic side to ‘Little Venice’ along the Hertford Union canal and the Regents Canal.

I started my journey at the Overground station Hackney Wick. You will not find Hackney Wick in a travel guide under ‘highlights’ or ‘things to do’ but it has his own charm and its own ‘highlights’.

One of the ‘Highlights’ is also my culinary tip. Half-way between the station and the access to the Hertford Union canal is the cafe “The Griddlers”, located next to a car conversion shop. It’s a breakfast point for workers around the Olympic construction side. There is no Goût Mieux plate at the door but it’s authentic and the people are very friendly. The food is honest and cheap. I tried meal number 6 – scrambled eggs, baked beans, sausages and buttered toast. While eating number 6, I enjoyed looking at replicas of Paul Fischer’s ‘Girls bathing” and Jack Vettriano’s ‘Mad Dogs’.

Beginning the walk just next to the Olympic stadium, the Hertford Union canal makes its way past Victoria Park to end at Regent’s Canal. Colorful houseboats and barges line the waterway.

An elderly man swinging a can of beer said ‘’The East End will be a ghost town next year after the Olympics. They’re leaving only poor people. You will see!”

At a lock I met writer David Gee. He has been living for more than 12 years on his boat ‘Promise’ and he invited me to have a look on his floating home. It was narrow but very charming and I thought it was a great way of living in such a busy city as London. Mooring every two weeks in a different spot gives you the feeling of independence and it’s definitely cheaper than buying a flat or a house.

The Regent’s Canal was originally built to link the Grand Junction Canal’s Paddington arm with the Thames. It was named after the Prince Regent, later King George IV. It was opened in 1820 and it became an important artery for cargo such as grain, raw materials for HP sauce, leather waste, last blocks, zinc ashes, and even cheese passing through London.

The canal winds its way past Hoxton with its artists and graffiti art before hiding in a tunnel with no footpath access at Angel. After a short stop at the Chapel Market I went back to the walking path along the canal passing the busy area of Camden Lock, known for its markets and hip dudes.

The last part took me along London Zoo and through the outskirts of Regent’s Park, flanked by beautiful houses with amazing gardens. It was remarkable that this posh area was also liked by homeless people.

Finally I arrived in Little Venice, the point where Regent’s Canal meets the Grand Junction Canal. An island in the center is called Browning’s island, after the poet Robert Browning who lived around the corner. It may not have the glamor of Venice, but it has its own picturesque charm.

I spent a total of four days along the canals, and became a big fan. I came across all the different social classes, different parts of the cosmopolitan city and met very interesting people. It is a hidden place and a different world within London, with lots of characters and stories.

If you ever want to escape from the busy shopping streets, spend some time walking, cycling or just sitting at one of London’s canals. You will not regret it!

(View a slideshow of images here)

I had the opportunity to cover a training session of Britain’s future Olympic diving hopefuls at the Crystal Palace Diving Club in London.

When I arrived the session had already started in a dry diving gym.  It was a room full of trampolines, diving boards, mats and mostly young girls performing somersaults or other flips. “Quicker, quicker” shouted one of the three Chinese coaches.

China’s divers are currently dominating the sport.  They won all the gold medals at last year’s world championships. The British diving club decided to recruit Chinese coaches seven years ago when London won the bid to stage the 2012 Olympics.  Now, 15 of the approximately 460 children in the program are in the top England talent squad.

The second part of the training session took part in the actual diving pool.

I know about diving boards from my younger days in the public swimming pool. We were jumping from one and three meter boards and the main target was to wet the sunbathers. The key jump was called ‘’the bomb’’ and the best scores went to the one who splashed the most water.

When I was standing under the roof above the top of the 10-meter platform and saw these young kids performing breathtaking jumps, I realized this was not a sport for wimps and it had nothing to do with wetting sunbathers – this was serious. I took a couple of shots with shaking knees and was glad to descend the stairs.

Hats off and with all my respect!

When I got this assignment I was not sure what I could expect.

It was an early 6am start at the Barracks in St John’s Wood, home to The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. I was looking forward to the breakfast as mentioned in the press release. First thing we were told was not to expect any breakfast because the kitchen was moved already.

It could become only better … and it did…

The unit has been stationed at St John’s Wood since their formation by King George VI in 1947 and they will take up residence in a new purpose built equestrian training facility and accommodation centre in Woolwich Garrison outside central London.

The picture access was fantastic. In fact I could shoot whatever I wanted. No press pen, gates, grumpy security guards or any other restrictions which usually make the daily life of a London photographer pretty hard.

The soldiers were preparing their 109 horses since dawn for the big day, including grooming, trimming of tails, shaving of coats, tacking up and final mucking out before they formally marched out their Barracks for the very last time.

After they left the barracks the cavalry marched down the High Street where hundreds of residents including schoolchildren paid their respects.
A very friendly women give us access to her office on the first floor and the most important thing, she made coffee – finally.

The day ended with a big bang. Last stop was in Hyde Park where the King’s Troop fired a 41 Royal Gun Salute at noon to mark the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952 and the official start to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

See more of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery move here.