I remember sitting in the high street in Uxbridge (one of the many 'burbs of Londinum), and wishing that we had that phenomenon here on the colonies side of the pond. I like high streets, with everyone strolling around doing their business, with no worries about getting run over - except by another pedestrian. I liked the fact I could just criss-cross the street, amble around, without having to wait for streetlights, cars, or buses to go past. Malls just aren't the same. They are closed in, insular, stuffy; high streets feel open and ambient, fresh with people and open air.