London: Final Thoughts
August 27, 2017
I had the absolute greatest time in London. Who would have thought that research or solo travel would have been so fun? I was able to see so many incredible sights and monuments, all while trying incredible food and learning so much.
I thought I would round out my trip with a highlight reel of all my favorite adventures.
Markets
Saturdays were for market hopping. I ended up getting to go to three different markets: Camden, Borough, and Portobello Road. Each were unique and fun in their own ways. The leader pic with the hog pin was at Portobello Road! How cool is that?! Camden Market was home to a lot of knock-off goods (no complaint from me lol) and yum food. I was also home to the canals of London. For a bit I sat by one of the locks, sipping my coffee, and making conversation with the cool women who were running the lock. Borough Market was crazy in the best way. A different type of vegetable or flower or treat was available at every turn (I recommend the goat's milk ice cream).
Food
Obviously, trying new food is one of the best parts about exploring a new place. London did not disappoint. Pretty much everything I had was incredible and unique. Hightlights included the fish and chips (of course), a chicken curry dish I got from Monocle Cafe (more on that later), and the avocado sweet potato fries I got at Camden Market. Honorable mention goes to the sunset perri-perri burger add pineapple from Nando's which was a faithful staple when I was too tired to find somewhere else to eat.
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| I went to the Churchill Arms in Notting Hill because, well, look at it, and was delightfully surprised by the quality of the thai food there. The flowers really take the cake though. |
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| I got my first London Fish & Chips at the Chipping Forecast, also in Notting Hill, and I was incredible. So good. Even the peas were good and I hate peas. But I ate all those peas, along with everything else. Go here. |
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This bubble waffle was sub-par but adorable. Nosteagia is near Buckingham Palace and Green Park, so that helped. Activities |
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| Barnes Village, where I stayed, was very lovely and gave me the opportunity to run right along the banks of the river Thames. This is Hammersmith Bridge, which I crossed daily to get into the center city. |
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| The National Archives were so so cool. This is a confidential (now open) record from 1982 with notes concerning the Iranian nuclear program. Casual. |
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| What? America? How can it be? This is a photo from shortly before I was denied entry to the American Embassy for "security reasons". Whatever. I still got thisclose to being back on American soil. |
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| If you are a super-fan with a keen eye you may recognize this building. The black door next to the Speedy's awning is the entrance used for 221B Baker Street on the BBC Sherlock. Yes I tracked it down. Judge me. |
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| I visited a lot of coffee shops in London, but this was my favorite. I have listed to Monocle 24's The Briefing for my news every morning since I was a freshman in college, so I knew I had to visit their cafe, right down the street from were they produce their shows while I was in London. The Monocle Cafe plays their station and sells their newspapers and magazines, and has really really great coffee. I recommend checking out everything that Monocle produces, from podcasts to pot pies. |
Bonus: A Warning
Literally whatever you do do not go see Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. While my other West End experience was magical (read about it here) the words that best describe this production are forced, ridiculous, and just awful. I am not exaggerating when I say that Trina Vega's one woman show "She-cago" was home to better acting and more realistic accents. If anyone knows someone involved in this show please let them know that they owe me three hours.
I loved London and cannot wait to return. But for now, it's on to Switzerland and the next academic adventure!
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