One thing to do in London that still remained on my to-do list was going on a Jack the Ripper tour. There are several tour companies out there that organise these walking tours, but the one I went on was organised by a lady called Jude who also runs photography workshops. So this Jack the Ripper tour doubled as a photograpy tuition walk as well.
We met on Whitechapel Road where Jude vividly opened up the history books of the late 19th century. She didn't paint a pretty picture of East London, but lives were pretty rough back then.
The trendy area that is now known as Shoreditch with popular Spitalfields market and buzzing Brick Lane, looked a lot different then. People were poor, streets were dirty and diseases were rife.
Jude took us to several of the spots where Jack's victims were found, and showed us the pubs and street corners the girls frequented. (They were working girls afterall.) Eventhough the buildings and residences look a lot more upscale these days and buying a home here will apparently set you back a couple of million, listening to Jude, made it easy to imagine street life back then. It also made me look at the area with a completely different mindset.
It also taught me a lot more about Jack the Ripper and his victims. Before the tour, the only thing I really knew about Jack the Ripper was that he was the first serial killer who had killed a bunch of women. I didn't know how many there were or how and where he had killed them. But after hearing the hair raising modus operandi of his murders, and Jude's theory of who she thought Jack really was, I couldn't get Jack out of my head for the next several days.
And of course, I learned a bit more about taking photos. Two birds with one stone. If you want to check out Jude's tour, you can find more info on the
meetup website.
Oh I would love to take that tour. I am so obsessed with history, and don't judge but I also am interested in the psychosis of insane people. I would be excited and have goose bumps the whole time!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I was so obsessed with the people that were on the suspect list. At least for a few days.
DeleteI have such a morbid curiosity for Jack the Ripper, and I think many people do simply because nobody knows who the hell he was!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that this tour isn't a commercial one also. Seems perfect
I think you are right. It's the fact that no one ever has been caught and no one ever will.
DeleteHi Jaklien, that sounds awesome! Where/how can I book this tour with Jude? Thank you!
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DeleteHiya, there is a link at the bottom of the post. Check it out.
DeleteHave been to London a few times but never done this!I love history and guided tours , never heard of this place before
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly a place, more a person...
DeleteOoh, I would have loved this tour. In fact, marking this for when I go to London next. I have a bit of morbid fascination with Jack the Ripper's history ever since I ran across a book about it when I was shelving books in the library I worked in when I was 14. It would be a great way to connect a bit more with history than the books I've read.
ReplyDeleteI can see the fascination. For days after I went I was looking up stuff on the internet. I am dying to see the movie now with Johnny Depp.
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