Tuesday, October 14, 2008

RAMSEY LOCALS AND MANX MONEY.

Ooh look people! Today I pulled back from going for the artsy photography just to show you what you all asked for, people. OK they aren't exactly close up and in yer face, but here's the deal. I have to live here. You want to see the locals, so the best I can do is these kind of glancing long shots, walking briskly with the camera and snapping quickly.

Notice the lady at the cashpoint? That's actually the Isle Of Man Bank. I know our own bank. We even have our own toytown money. Prepare to be confused! We have our own Manx money to use on the island. We also have Euros introduced in some shops, but not all. UK sterling is spendable here along with any other currency that has the word "sterling" on such as Scots or Channel Islands. Manx money though can only be used on the island. Don't forget we are a Crown Dependency of the "British Islands" and not part of the UK, which is why our cash is trash there. No way can you pay if Manx it say. You can imagine what it's like when we go on holiday, the conversions.

To go off at a complete tangent now, but what do you notice about the pavement and road? No chewing gum, no fag ends, no litter. I'm not saying it's like this everywhere, but how many town high streets do you come across that are like this? We may have empty shops, but we have clean streets. Please also note the christmas lights are always there, just not switched on 'til December.

Off to have words with my laptop which seems incapable of closing down pages I am not using, Why? Who knows.

34 comments:

Wayne said...

A city with clean streets scores high points with me. It's a shame it is not so common place we would not even have to comment on it.

Virginia said...

Oh B., I love seeing your city like this. Clean but empty, well most of us can say empty but not so clean. I want me some Manx money! How great it that! We want more of this place, and tell those citizens we want to see their faces too. "Say Cheese!"

Anonymous said...

LB,

What's the population of Ramsey? It's kinda small I guess. Clean streets blow me away. Not round here.

Neva said...

My Russian visitors were amazed at how clean it is here. Also amazed that there were no packs of dogs running loose so go figure! Nice B&W!

Anonymous said...

No garbage? Own money? Do you have the best paid street cleaners? Sweet.

Olivier said...

prendre les gens de face, c'est pas toujours facile (a part dans les fêtes, etc...). J'ai le même problème, j'aime pas trop gêner, et puis certaines personnes sont assez agressives contre les APN. On regrette le temps des Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson , and co, ou il n'y avait pas de problème.

take people face is not always easy (a part in the festivities, etc. ...). I have the same problem, I not interfere too, and then some people are quite aggressive against the APN. It regrets the time of Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson, and co or there was no problem.

Saretta said...

That is a confusing cash situation! I'm sure you've got it all worked out, though!

I did notice that the roads and sidewalks are exceptionally clean and...smooth, as if they had just been repaved.

Webradio said...

Hello Babooshka !
You love Your Island... And You are right...

What about the mondial money crisis on Your Island ???
Your photo B&W is ver beautiful !

See You later.

Brett said...

A bank giving out money, now that novel

magiceye said...

what is your currency called?

Kala said...

I find its difficult taking pictures of people. Sometimes I will when I find something about the person or people that really strikes me. I have to say, that street does look very clean indeed! I hope you get your laptop issue resolved =)

Eki said...

I like the day to day feel about this photo. Want more of this, Babooshka, with the Ramsey locals doing their activities, please. ;D

Unknown said...

Great street shot and good information.!

Unknown said...

I was really surprised to know you are not part of the UK and even more when I read you have your own money! Crown Dependency of the British Islands!?!? That was absolutely new to me... Blogging is learning! No doubt about that.

Irina said...

Well, looks like not a bad place to live at all!

George Townboy said...

Fantastic post! Artsy photo too.

GrandAnglais said...

The Isle of Man...I hear it's very beautiful, cerainly appears that way judging from your excellent photos...You hear all sorts of things about the Manx people, that they're a little strange in their ways, but I'm sure it's not true. I'm from Birmingham and people say all sorts of things about us Brummies so I'm not saying anything!

laxeylass said...

Parliament Street look grand in this image. Laxey always looks clean, or used to be. I here emergency meeting are going on re the cash flow Iceland shennanigans? Good luck.

Ilse said...

Wow! Love the photo & the black & white effect. Your discussions of Manx certainly peak my interest. I hope to be able to visit one day.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Laxelass- thanks for the heads up. Just heard some staggering news about the I.O.M Bank. Need to check it out. Thanks all yet again for your interesting points. It is confusing to others the cash situation here,the cleaner streets, and limited locals.

ViRginia - I will have to find some nice new notes to photograph, that's if we are not bankrupt after today.

Anonymous said...

Great piccie of our main street...The thing about the money.....I always forget when I'm going across to change it into British pounds which is a bit of a pain when I come to buy something and the cash is refused.....Why Manx money is as good as there's any day...

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I'm always hesitant about posting faces, too...just in case they find out who I am..

Anonymous said...

Clean streets like this one is something unusual where I live. Thanks for the information about the money you use. I was only once in England but since I've been here in your blog I'm more and more interested in your island of Manx.

Tanya Breese said...

Wow, that is so neat, your very own Monopoly money! Love the photo of your town and people!
Hope your computer behaves! Ugh, technology!

Anonymous said...

Maybe Manx money will be the most desirable currency in the world if the banks dont get sorted. I'm impressed with the clean streets. One thing I've never adjusted to in London is how dirty it is and how people just drop rubbish where ever they are. Even if they are stnading next to a rubbish bin then they are still likely to drop their rubbish on the street next to it. Thanks for the info about the Kray brothers. Am looking into more about that. Seems an interesting area.

www.niamhphotography.com said...

I didn't know that you used Manx money. That's really interesting. And those streets do look remarkably clean.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

This shot is great in black and white. I love the buildings!

stromsjo said...

Come to think of it, that street looks pretty clean. Then again, I can't enlarge the photo so who knows... ;)

marley said...

It is a clean street! I didn't realise you weren't part of the UK. You really are in your own little world!

Request - Show me the money!

Joan Elizabeth said...

I'm with you. It is hard to photograph people. I have been trying lately and have posted a few in my blog. But I somehow feel I am stealing when I do so I snatch and run. Though I think in general they would be satisfied with the results.

Profile Not Available said...

Love the clean streets! Didn't notice until you pointed it out, but it is wonderful! Thank you for the explanation of the currency too!

Michele said...

Neat post... I imagine your city has got to be a bit bigger than mine with such beautiful big buildings! What amazing architecture!
~Michele~
Mountain Retreat- Canada

Jerez Sherry said...

Exchanging money must be a big time consumer, In US we don't have to worry, no one has money anymore! (except the rich)

Hope we haven't caused much turmoil for your home, but it seems to be world wide. this mess.
Nice clean town, for sure,,,I'd love to visit.

Gretchen said...

Gorgeous shots! The sunset is amazing!

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