Posts Tagged ‘london’

Tonight, I had a sassy girl date with Amy. Thanks to Groupon, we were able to experience a wine and cheese tasting event at the London Sky Bar, located on the 28th floor of the Millbank Tower. The view was incredible. I really too often forget just how amazing London is as a city. The entire event lasted only an hour. We tasted four different types of wine from Chile and cheeses that pair with it. The guy told us an interesting story about why Chile is a good place to make one – something about some bug similar to a cockroach that never made it to Chile. Okay, that’s not the most appetizing story. But the experience was really fun. Interesting observation about the people attended: you either get couples on dates, or girls like us. I guess dudes just don’t go to wine & cheese things together. makes sense.

We were both a bit tipsy after having wine on an empty stomach, so we trekked down the Southbank and ate at a diner like place near National Theater. London has been blessed with absolutely amazing weather lately. Tonight was just a perfect night. It’s just warm enough that you can walk around in a summer dress without a jacket, but doesn’t feel hot. Everyone was out, and all the bars along the Southbank were filled with people having a great time, unwinding from a week of work. Everyone is happy, and it’s contagious. After Amy and I parted ways, I walked home and felt extremely lucky. It doesn’t get much better for a girl at 24, living in a fabulous city, doing fabulous things! With my remaining days in London now marked, as I will spend the 2nd year of my graduate degree in New York, I must remember to enjoy ever last bit. Luckily, I just found out this week that I will be staying here for the summer! London summer is definitely one of the best!

P.S. – I took a trip to Italy last week, and it was absolutely amazing. Post coming soon, as soon as I can come up for air from exam preparation. Stay tuned!

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Spring is upon us! I imagine for most places in the Northern Hemisphere, people are experiencing the type of joy that comes with the first warm day without a coat. In London, sunshine has been with us for the past few days! For a city known for its gloom, this weather has been downright magical.

This afternoon, I took advantage of my flexible student life and went on a run on the South Bank along River Thames. It was the happiest I have been in a long long time. I ran with ease. The brisk air moved me forward. Everyone around me seemed to be in an equally good mood. For the first time, I did not grunt at tourists who were walking slowly and blocking my way. Instead, I smiled. I smiled at toddlers who were wobbling around, at lovers in intimate embrace, at people in suit who sneaked out of the office for a late lunch, and at school kids who were walking in herds in uniform.

I was so happy and felt completely carefree. I ran along the south bank, cross Borough Market, reached Tate Modern and across Millennium Bridge and reached St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was a perfect day. I think the last time I felt this way was my run down the dirt road in my village in Cameroon. I love the feeling of being one with the world and can take in life in perspective.

It’s a wonderful feeling to walk out of the door and know that people on the street are happy. London sunshine put the entire city in a good mood. The sunshine is indeed magical and they bring happy days!

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People take things for granted, that’s a fact. We are now in full swing of the Christmas season, and some people complain about the over-the-top-ness of the season. I was one of those those who complained until I lived in Cameroon for two holidays seasons where you have no idea it’s Christmas until the very day. I missed the cold, the snow, the trees, the decor, and just about every other obnoxious Christmas related things you can think of. Last week, a trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park cured all of that, and officially kick started Christmas for me.

I’ve visited Christmas markets in my previous trips in Europe – in Berlin, in Bath, etc., but my previous experiences would describe these markets as cozy, charming, lovely, quiet. Usually there were stalls of crafts and Christmas gifts, some people selling mulled wine, sausages and other Christmas market-type food. There were always pretty lights.

The Winter Wonderland, however, is Christmas markets as I knew it, on crack. It is so over-the-top and crazy to a degree that it’s nice; the holiday frenzy brings out the little kid in everyone. I was there with a few Americans, and we all said, “it’s too bad the US doesn’t have Christmas markets.” but then we quickly followed with, “well, if American were to do a Christamas market, it would look a lot like this.”

Winter Wonderland is less of a market, but rather, a carnival. Besides your typical stalls of gifts, food, and drinks, there are rides and games like you would see at a county fair – fluorescent lights galore. I admit it was all a bit much, but I really appreciated the festive spirit. Sometimes, it’s nice to simply be surrounded by happy people.

My friend Siobhan is finishing her service in Cameroon this week and will make her first stop in the “real world” in London to see me. She loves Christmas and I can’t wait to take her here and see how she reacts to it!

I am looking forward to a Christmas season with lots of holiday cheers, and most of all, with family and loves! These are simple things that I will never again take for granted.

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On my 3rd consecutive year living away from the U.S.A., I actually am begin to miss that place – the land of abundance (excess). Last week while frolicking through London with Juliette, I discovered this:

Juliette being the Parisian that she is, did not share my excitement in stumbling upon Chipotle in London. This fast-foody Mexican joint produces some hearty burritos at a good price – or at least it was in the USA. At nearly £7 a burrito, this is less economical but I’m happy to pay for it once in a while to have a taste of America.

Just off of Tottenhem Court Road Tube station on Charring Cross Road (WC2H 0JR), this place is dangerously close to the LSE, but I think will make lots of Americans very happy!

I have been spreading the good word since my discovery and last night took my posse of flatmates to discover this delicious goodness.

Flatmates in the picture come from China, Turkey, Chile and Lithuania. I think I can chalk this one up as culture exchange – Goal II of the Peace Corp?

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This weekend, I had my first visitor in London! Juliette, my French friend who spent the first 6 months of my service in Batié with me, was visiting from Paris. We hadn’t seen each other since she left Cameroon a year and a half ago. As always, it’s amazing to reunite with a good friend after such long time and immediately reconnect. We reminisced our time in Cameroon and this time, I can actually communicate in French! There is something comforting when we share stories of our time in village and travel that makes me remember that those things really did happen!

Having a visitor also forces me to see London in a way I haven’t done in the two months that I’ve been here. I really enjoyed the ability to temporarily forget about all the responsibilities and just enjoy life for a a weekend – like having a vacation in my own city! The mix between old life and new life is quite interesting – a bit bizarre, but all the while nice.

Highlights include:

Broadway Market in Hackney

This is a market near Juliette’s friend’s house. Unlike most of the other markets in central London, this one is not touristy and has that local charm. Plenty of delicious food and cute things to buy – another great place for holiday gift shopping!

The market opens from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and the nearest Tube stop is Bethnal Green.

Tate Modern

Tate Modern is one of my favorite museums in London and it’s FREE! Yet I somehow failed to visit this wonderful place in these past two months. It was nice to revisit it and get some creative juice flowing within me. (To visit, the nearest Tube is Mansion House, and you take the lovely walk across Millennium Bridge.)

Fortnum & Mason

I’ve heard this fancy little department store is a great place for high tea, but I still have yet to try it. However, I did finally visit the premise when Juliette wanted to go buy some tea and gifts for her family. Less touristy and less over the top, F&M is a nice alternative to Harrods in providing a proper English department store shopping experience. You can just imagine gents in top hats and ladies in big Victorian dresses strolling in there picking out something fancy (though the isles back then must be much wider).

I splurged on some delicious macarons... mmm!

impressive collection of loose-leaf tea at F&M

Regents Park & Primrose Hill

We took advantage of my free Monday afternoon to dodge the tourists and had lunch at Covent Garden before strolling all the way up to Regents Park. There is something incredibly luxurious about seeing London during the week without the mad crowd. I should do it more often! We walked through the park and visited Primrose Hill – one of my favorite places in London. On the way home, we walked to the Swiss Cottage tube stop and passed through my old neighborhood – strange nostalgia.

Regent's Canal

London Skyline from Primrose Hill

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