This weekend, I traveled to London (Londres, in french). I wish I could describe how great of a time I had there, but I find it difficult to put into words. Instead, I will write my Top 10 Favorite About London:
1) Portabello Road Market: My family and I must have watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks at least 57 times, and in that movie there is the classic "Portabello Road" scene. I would definitely, DEFINITELY, say that this market lived up to the hype. It was a drizzling Saturday, but the fair was packed! Everything from capes, to vintage 60's-mod shift dresses, to chanel earings were being sold at the market. I enjoyed just looking through the racks and racks of clothes, smelling the street food, and imagining Professor Brown serenading me in the background (...anything and everything a chap could unload...)
2) The British Museum: My Museum love is now a toss up between d'Orsay and the British Museum. This incredible collection that is almost as big as the Louvre holds thousands (maybe millions) of artifacts from 6000 BCE to the present. A few notable finds: The Rosetta Stone, Sae-jong Dae-Hwang's First Translations from Chinese to his invented Korean Language, Cleopatra's Sarcophagus (next to a giant head of Rameses II), and dozens of statues from the Parthenon.
3) Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards: Actually, this should belong on the top of my London's Most Anticlimactic List. First, the guards were in grey winter coats covering up their signature red jackets. Let me describe the Changing Process: Go to guard one, pick him up, drop off another one. Repeat for Guards 2-4. Exit Buckingham Palace.
4) The Globe Theater: While the actual Globe Theater burned down in the great london fire, this theater was, as thoroughly explained to us by our tour guide, built as an exact replica of the original, using the same tools and materials. I learned a lot of fun facts about Elizabethan theater and saw some fabulous costumes, and we actually got to sit in the stands and feel awfully shakespearian!
5) British Pubs: I've never been to a genuine pub before, and now I realize what I was missing out on! The food was incredible: Fish and Chips (and vinegar!), Sausages and Mash(ed potatoes), and of course a refreshing pint of Guinness, which tasted like a cold cappuccino.
6) Picadilly Circus: Actually, add this to the most anti-climactic list as well. Coming from Times Square, this "London's Time Square" was pretty laughable. 6 Neon signs and a fountain. NEXT!
7) The National Gallery: Full of art up to the impressionist era, which I can now appreciate best because of my Art History classes. My friends wanted to slap me because I kept playing the "guess which genre this is and why" game with them. However, it was both an incredible visit and an educational review!
8) West Minister Abbey: This area you see everything that makes you think "Holy Fish and Chips I'm in London!" You can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and the Tower of London in the distance. We also had the misfortune of getting the song "London Bridge" stuck in our heads in this area.
9) Double Decker Buses: If we had these in New York, I would never take the subway. They're super efficient, and it's almost like a free tour of the city! The front of the buses are flat, and we had a great time scaring ourselves into thinking that we just hit the car in front of us. It was also a great place to relax when we were tired of walking.
10) St. Paul's Cathedral: Enormous cathedral where Diana was married and, my personal favorites, Kate and William are soon to be wed! This Cathedral is extravagant and beautiful and we visited it when the sun was shining and the architecture was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately we didn't go inside because mass had begun, which just means I must return next time!
