My first experience in London, England was listening to a tour guide explicitly describe the murders of several prostitutes. The women were killed by Jack the Ripper in London’s Whitechapel district during the 1880s.
Being easily frightened, this was not my preferred introduction to the city. It was a field trip taken with my literature class at Herstmonceux Castle, so it did have a purpose, and a good one too.
Many times as a tourist, you stick to typical destinations that give you a taste of the city, but are often disconnected from local culture. My professor wanted us to experience London at street level by walking where the murders occurred and not just learning about it through a camera or read about it in books.
Although some of the murder locations are sketchy areas, the area is largely a financial district. I couldn’t help but wonder what the men and women in smart business suits were thinking as they walked by and heard about throats being cut and organs removed from bodies.
Fortunately for me, the tour was during the day. Regardless, it still had a shock effect that placed it out of the ordinary. Then again, studying at the Castle is not really an “ordinary” experience either, so I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised.