The Model Village is effectively on the outskirts of Stanley Park. I spoke to the man who was in charge and he gave me the pen and a quiz, which is used to help people to find their way around the Model Village, which is actually quite big. With the possible confusion of the guest house and the hotel, it is fairly easy to follow the paths and when you get really lost (particularly trying to solve the quiz questions), the people maintaining the village give you a hand. The village has a castle, a prison and pretty much every other amenity you could need, although I didn't see a miniature public toilet. I particularly liked the gravediggers with their open coffins. Totally unexpected yet amusing. Also the house where the crook is creeping around the back, whilst the policeman is hanging around the front. An accident waiting to happen or not as the case may be.
I then headed off to the Zoo. Very expensive entry prices and also very wet as the showers began in earnest. Nothing like looking at miserable animals, avoiding the rain when they could. Having said that, the Sea Lions were enjoying themselves. As seems to be the case with most zoos, they always seem to be working on one section or other making it difficult to get from point a to point b.
I noticed more street art today, some of it clearly condoned by local businesses, yet quite a bit of it is more spontaneous. Blackpool has a quality of squalid creativity about it. There is a poverty beneath the veneer of shiny frontages, neon signs and lights. Homelessness always seems to be apparent as you walk around. I am not sure if over time, you would feel more or less safe in Blackpool. The local Council is clearly imposing various measures to prevent anti-social behaviour such as fining cyclists for riding on the pavements and also imposing fines on drinkers in the park.
Blackpool is a funny place. It attracts older people and families, although as a single traveller, it is harder to adapt to the place.
I had a meal today in an American diner style place. I really feel as though Blackpool should have some decent restaurants. I am sure they are around but I have missed them.
I am off to see 'Evita' now at the Opera House. Let's hope that it doesn't rain again!
I walked to the Opera House and joined the queue for the Pet Shop Boys (the venue adjoins the Empress Ballroom where they were performing). I quickly realised the error of my ways and entered the Opera House's foyer. The police on horseback outside were clearly there to reenact a key scene from 'Evita'. But seriously, it's good that they were there. Where there is a long, snaking queue, there should be police or at least, security. Someone to manage the partial chaos.
The Opera House was like a big cinema auditorium. In fact, I wonder if that's what it used to be. 'Evita' was wonderful. A spiky, intelligent and downright cynical exploration of the Perons and their 'regime'. Using Che Guevara as the extremely subjective onlooker was an inspired choice. The Perons come across as ruthless manipulators who just happened to perform good acts. I am sure that a more objective viewpoint could be possible but not when you use the figure of Che Guevara as your narrator and you analyse the facts. I had never seen 'Evita' before and I was expecting Eva Peron to be a saint like figure. Boy, how wrong was I!
Tonight, I was made aware how friendly the majority of the local people in Blackpool are. In fact, I wonder whether the tourists help the dynamic or hinder it at times. Community functions through some level of stability and tourism is a fluid element. I suspect that the local people are still friendly out of season. It's nice to just have a conversation with someone without there being an ulterior motive or objective behind the discourse.
I left the Opera House in a good mood and was approached by someone else for money. I hope that the economic situation improves soon. Back in my room, a quick read then bed. Tomorrow, I leave the land of the English Eiffel Tower with its blue lights permeating the night sky. Back to the mean solitary streets of London.
Barry Watt - 21st June 2017.
Afterword.
The Blackpool Model Village is rather lovely and is well worth a visit. They have a website:
http://www.blackpoolmodelvillage.com/
Blackpool Zoo is probably a better place to visit when you don't have to put up with intermittent showers:
http://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/
The Blackpool Opera House is quite impressive and is apparently one of the largest theatres in the UK. It definitely wasn't full when I attended and it also suffers from the weird odds and evens seating setup, I described in my previous blog entry. Here's their website:
http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/venue/opera-house/
'Evita' is currently touring and will shortly be in London. My opinions on the Perons are based on my own interpretation of the musical, you may feel differently:
http://evitathemusical.com/
The Empress Ballroom looks like a very impressive venue:
http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/venue/the-empress-ballroom/
Eiffel Tower is a funny little thing in Paris:
http://www.toureiffel.paris/en
BW.
Photos.
Street art.
Pretty flower.
The Gravediggers in the Model Village.
Street Artist in the Model Village.
Lovely property in the Model Village.
Yep, it's a Giraffe.
Simian relative.
Camel.
Peacock.
Groovy Blackpool Hipster.
Vandalised Street Art.
BW.
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