My friend is traveling to Europe in a couple weeks, and her first stop is London. She only has one day there, and asked me for suggestions about what to do in the time she has. I said I’d send her a short email with a few suggestions. “A short email” turned into paragraphs and paragraphs of memories and feeling the rare London sun against my back as I walked down the River Thames.
Sometimes I joke that I left my heart in London. Every time it comes up in conversation, I feel my eyes light up and all I want to talk about is my favorite cafes, St. Paul’s Cathedral and seeing plays at Shakespeare’s Globe. London is the only city that I ever felt comfortable exploring by myself. I never felt like an American tourist there (except when I wore VT t-shirts).
Today, I’m embracing those moments of nostalgia, and sharing some of my favorite memories from my time in London.
The Shard and London’s bridges, taken from the Millennium Bridge. London is stunning at night.
A delicious Full English Breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, beans and tomatoes, with tea.
I loved spending mid-mornings strolling around Trafalgar Square and watching and listening to people go about their days.
There were many cafes I found and loved, but none as much as I loved Notes Coffee. Any place where I can get banana bread, yoghurt and jam, and a mocha for only 6 pounds is a great place for me.
I’d never been much of a public transport fan, but in London, there’s really no other choice. Mind the gap.
A picture of a picture of me from the Platform 9 3/4 spot at Kings Cross Station. Too bad it didn’t actually take me to the Hogwarts Express.
I fell in love with St. Paul’s Cathedral, and spent my last day in the city visiting it one last time.
Also from my last day in the city…the epitome of London: light gray skies, Parliament, St. Stephen’s Tower, and an iconic double-decker bus.
