At the evening we went to the bar and it was just the same. Watch, how bar in Canary Wharf looks in casual Friday:

Looks like black & white movie, huh? What’s the explanation? Maybe it is in details, which is impossible to see in this video. One of the workers in the Canary Wharf slightly showed me her boots – they were brown leather – it counts as the casual add to ‘normal’ workday. Well, You never know.

But look here, this was the day, when clerks were instructed to be casual. See, how they looked like:

” A colleague reported similar sightings. “It was hilarious seeing all the bankers in disguise on the train this morning,” she said. “With their perfectly ironed blue shirts, cufflinks and loafers you couldn’t really miss them.” “

Well… You must say – it is not the point, why they wear or don’t wear something, is it?

Big Brother is watching You in Canary Wharf!

I already told about the amazing schedule the Canary Wharf has – You can definitely feel the working hour rhythm here. This post will be about particular hour in this part of clerk’s life – the lunch brake.

Streets are suddenly full and everybody is standing in the queues. For interest of everybody there are no sitting at the table or waiting for the menu. If You suddenly came here for the first time, it is Your problem – stay in the queue and just repeat, what previous one said. There is no time for asking or looking, which food looks tastier, just tell it, than it can be prepared, packed and ready for “take away”.

And now the thing I don’t understand – what after? Where should I go with my food? Actually, where everybody goes with their “take aways”? I haven’t found that place yet. I sat in the park near by my seminar place and there was just couple of clerks, who were enjoying the tasty food they have it in Canary Wharf. I think everybody else is in their office.

For example, this ir perfect for eating at the office – sushi take-away:

Now, this is something, which reminds me about IKEA and it’s idea of packing. Perfect. Haven’t seen anywhere else. You can see there is all You need for it – even a soy souce is in the little plastic bottle. Only in Canary Wharf – perfect place for fast food and take away.

And this really was a lunch for one of the workers from the Canary Wharf.

But most surprisingly is the going home part, after the beer is finished. This time I was at the Canary Wharf tube station already after six, but previously I was in the station in at truly peak time. I was sure it is going to be just fine, because the screen and voice around the station was repeating: “Good service on all lines.”  Well, just try double the amount of the people (or even triple) and it is still going to be a “good service” here

Of course, it is not about the company Transport for London. It is about this amazing system, whose work is truly at “good service”, because everybody is keen about his mission here – where to go, what to do, what to expect.

After interview I have three conclusions:

• They are really friendly (notice the end of the interview – his question, was it helpful);
• He considers that the atmosphere of the district is created mainly by the buildings not the people;
• They are really busy all the time!

So, I thought I should use the stairs instead of the elevators just to have at least some physical activity. When I went in, I realised, how quiet is this area in this building. There were only some service staff passing.

And then it happened. I realised that I can’t get out from the stairs. At the ground floor there was clear message on the doors – emergency exit only. But for other floor’s entrance I had to have ID card, which I don’t. So I stayed there for quite a long time, when I finally reached with my cell phone somebody, who could come and help me get out of there.

Why architect did not plan stairs for daily use? Why just for emergency?

But this morning was opposite. At 9 AM it seems that district is without people. There are only buildings and they are so similar that I got lost and was late for the courses.

I am still wondering, who they are and what are they doing.  The thesaurus actually is not saying anything about clerks. It just gives me more intention to find more about them.

Well on Monday I understood their worries – it is really concentrated area of clerks and business staff.  You can see (or imagine) something like this in New York, particularly Manhattan or somewhere else, but I have never seen so much clerks and suits at all in one place in Riga.

What’ s wrong with my country’ s economy? Where are all the clerks of Latvia? Are they afraid to walk on the streets? And why am I afraid of them here in Canary Wharf?

P.S. I’ m here thanks to Thomson Reuters foundation, which organizes courses on internet journalism and encouraged me to start blogging in English. Have a look on my colleagues, who are making their first steps in blogsphere!