What I mean is that sometimes it is as if they were there hidden and invisible like ghosts that flutter around you for years or months or days and then at a certain moment when you least expect it they reveal themselves, and in the most unexpected forms or ways.
For example, it's something that happens very often in the world of literature.
From Stevenson to Rowling, thousands of writers have found inspiration for what later became a successful novel from a train ride, an unexpected guest, a child's drawing or, as happened to Michael Bond one Christmas Eve about seventy years ago, from a teddy bear lying on a shelf.
Can you imagine?
You are walking through a festively decorated London looking for a gift for your wife and your gaze falls on a poor little stuffed animal all alone in a shop near Paddington station...You buy it, go home and more for fun than anything else you start giving it a name and jotting down some adventures until after ten days you realize that it's not bad and then you send it to your publisher and in a matter of a few years the book is translated into thirty languages.
I am talking about the classic British children's books about Paddington Bear, a true icon here in the United Kingdom.
Don't you find it fascinating and extraordinary?
The idea for Paddington Bear was born exactly like this and even today this adorable character capable of getting into trouble by doing the simplest things continues to enchant children all over the world.
For those who don't know him yet, Paddington Bear is a funny and very nice little bear arrived in England from Peru with a suitcase, just with his jam sandwich and a small tag around his neck that reads “Take care of this bear. Thank you”.
This last detail actually recalls a very sad aspect of London's history.
The author was inspired by the children who, during the Second World War, were put on trains to send them out of the city, away from the bombings and the dangers that the conflict entailed.
If you happen to meet Paddington Bear around London, you will recognize him thanks to his blue raincoat with wooden buttons and his red hat.
He loves orange marmalade and hot chocolate and his greatest talent is that of getting into trouble.
Despite being very sweet and very polite, he has the innate ability to always get into trouble, but then, one way or another, he fortunately manages to get out of it.
Paddington is a small neighborhood in the borough of Westminster, north of Hyde Park and west of Marylebone.
Over the years, Paddington has transformed into a modern and pleasant area, full of restaurants, excellent pubs, several museums and art installations.
Paddington is located near the station of the same name, which allows thousands of workers to reach the center of London every day thanks to the excellent underground connections.
At said station it is not only worth photographing the famous brass statue of the bear but it is also worth visiting the shop dedicated to the character which not only has various souvenirs but also a large collection of books dedicated to it.
From Paddington station, you can take the green line and get to Portobello (often mentioned in Paddington Bear’s stories) and its well-known market famous for antiques and modern objects and for vintage clothing and accessories.
In London, you can also take a 2-hour guided tour which starts at the Paddington statue in Paddington Station and visit the most iconic sites mentioned in its books.
Along the route you can see the locations of the films and the book and of course you can test your knowledge of the famous bear.
There is also a Paddington Bear themed High Tea you can go to.
