The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind: finishing my exams and my final research project, squeezing in last minute travel to Prague and fun visitors, and trying to do anything left remaining on my "must see" list in London before I move home. Since everyone keeps asking my what I'm going to miss most, I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about my favorites here. What is it that I love so much about this city that Chicago won't have? So, while there are oh-so-many things.. here's my "Best of London" list:
Roasts!
When I moved here, I was told that the food was terrible. To this day, I still am not sure how people can say that. Roasts are quite possibly the best thing to happen to Sundays. I'm even willing to forego a good eggs benedict for a roast! And while I'm willing to admit you can't eat roasts every day...this is just one example of some of the great food I've had while living here.
Fancy dress parties
I'm not sure I'll ever find a more fun party than one of London's fancy dress parties. Last winter we went to a Prohibition Party for my 30th birthday, and I loved dressing up. It's so much better than the overdone, bad 80s parties we do in the States. I'm wondering if I start hosting mandatory fancy dress parties at my house in Chicago whether my friends would even participate! But here in London, they go all out!
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| Yes, I realize this was a 4th of July party....but even here we go all out! |
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| The fact that wearing full body suit costumes is totally normal is the best! |
It may sound silly. Or grandma-ish....but hanging out or going on a run in London's parks is one of my favorite ways to spend a day. It's actually on my list of things I have to do before I leave. (It's much more of an undertaking now that I don't live so close to them anymore). Regent's Park is probably my favorite, but Hampstead Heath and Hyde Park are close behind. I don't have photos of all of them, but trust me when I say that walking along the Regents Canal on a sunny day as you see the water sparkling is something that I will miss so much!
British pubs (which include cask ales)
Draught beer makes me burp. Somehow the cask ales are.....better! Too much information? Ok fine. But the pubs here are amazing. I love them. They are soooo much better (in my humble opinion) than American sports bars with 50 flat screen TVs blaring loud hip hop music at the commercials of whatever game is on, and the smell of antiseptic from cleaning up last night's spilt Bud Light from the floors. I'll take a charming pub like The Old Queen's Head or The Charles Lamb any day. Throw in some board games and the fact that the pub has been around since 1765 and it's a done deal!
The use of inappropriate (or borderline inappropriate) language in everyday scenarios
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| I guess this isn't really "inappropriate"....but this ad would never fly in the States! |
The architecture and charm
This is hard to sum up without just walking the streets and experiencing it. It's the neighborhoods. It's the history. It's the way that even in the middle of a busy city, you don't feel the same harshness that you might experience in NYC. Come here and you'll understand. (Unless you hang out in Shoreditch the entire time, which likely will change your opinion of this statement.)
Any kind of music you could ever want. Any band. They all come here. There are so many great venues. And there are even more bars who have free or cheap live music nightly. It's one of the things I will miss the most.
The markets
I think I've become a bit crazy about markets. I don't even know if I can explain what it is.... I just love them. The energy. The food. The activity. Borough Market is hands down my favorite, but that may or may not have a lot to do with the fact that they sample cheese and truffle oil. :) But really, what a great way to spend an afternoon! Here there are so many!
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| Portobello Market on a Saturday |
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| Borough Market on one of Kyle's trips to visit me. |
The best (and worst) style you will ever see
Anything goes here. Really. I've seen men in pink sweatsuits, and also seen some of the best fashion I could never imagine on my own. And stylish clothes can be acquired for a much cheaper price than you would expect. I imagine when I go home I will be surprised by the fashion differences.
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| Mostly I just wanted an excuse to post this photo again because I think it's hilarious! |
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| Private room karaoke!?!? |
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| Street Feast both in the summer and the winter time, with food vendors, live music and pop-up bars! |
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| The boys at Street Feast |
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| Also at Street Feast |
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| This was the indoor version this past month. |
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| Ping Pong bar: Bounce |
While I'm certainly excited to come back to the U.S. and be surrounded by family and friends who I've missed and love so much....leaving all of this is going to be tough. Bear with me if for the first few weeks (or maybe months) I get a little nostalgic for London, and constantly talk about how great things have been here. I promise I won't mean to seem unhappy with the next chapter of my life, or to be spending time with you again.... it's just that when your life has been made up of such incredible experiences for the past year, letting that go to move on to the next step is going to be a process. This is just a snapshot of why I love London so much...but hopefully it gives you a little insight into my personal love for such a great city!
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