London was the final stop on my first solo trip and it couldn’t have been more of a perfect finale. I was in London for a week and during that time I was able to cram in a ton of fun, both planned and unplanned. I bopped around to three different hostels during my stay and the first hostel was the Walrus Bar in Waterloo. The hostel was located next to Waterloo Station and once I got in from the airport I was able to crash immediately into the conveniently located hostel bed. I’m normally not one to go to bed early, but I had a long week ahead of me and needed a good night’s rest. On the morning of my first real day in London, I fueled up on the nice free hostel breakfast, then headed out on the town.
The Walrus Bar hostel location was perfect for my first day in London because after sleeping a regularly scheduled 8 hours of sleep I was able to wake up and walk out the door to all of the main tourist attractions. The first thing I wanted to do in London was go up the London Eye, so after strolling around Waterloo I got in line to be the first car up at 11am. The entire London Eye ride takes about 30 minutes, which is a long time to be slowly spinning on a 443ft high wheel. During my 30 minutes in the cart I learned that the Eye has 32 different riding carts and they represent the 32 boroughs of London.
After checking the London Eye off of my bucket list I headed over to Westminster Bridge and got a good look at the iconic Big Ben as I crossed over into Westminster. I walked all around the area, through the Palace of Westminster, Parliament Square and down to Downing Street. I got to see lots of gardens and statues, one of which was the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square. Winston Churchill is one of the most recognizable political figures of all time, but my favorite fact about him is that the first known use of “OMG” was used in a letter from Lord Fisher to Winston Churchill on September 9th in 1917. Like, omg, that’s like totally cool.
After wandering around Westminster and taking in the Downtown Abbey vibes I stopped in a park to get my first Pimm’s cup in on day one. For everyone who was as ignorant as I was, Pimm’s is a classic UK summer gin drink. It’s typically served with lemonade or soda water and fresh mint, but I like it when they use San Pellegrino. Why did it take me until my 20’s to taste Pimm’s? It’s delicious!
Once I finished slamming back a few Pimm’s cups and people watching at the park, I headed to the National Portrait Gallery. There were so many amazing exhibits out on display, but my favorite part was the BP Portrait Award Next Generation Competition. The exhibit was on the first floor and the walls were covered in submissions for the Next Generation collection.
The first prize winner of this competition was the painting titled “Imara in her winter coat” by Charlie Shaffer. The judges commented that her emotional expression depicts inward reflection, not outward show. I would also add that the use of texture is intriguing in this paining. It almost feels like it’s moving or alive.
One of my favorite paintings from this exhibit was “Sophie and Carla” by Emma Hopkins. This painting depicts the artist’s friend Sophie and her dog Carla. I really like the confidence of Sophie in this portrait and I think her mutual gaze at the audience is captivating.
After the portrait gallery I was famished and I wanted to check fish and chips off my list, so I went to byChloe in Chelsea and ordered up a basket. It honestly wasn’t amazing, but I can’t tell if that’s because it’s vegan or because fish and chips just isn’t good. I guess we’ll never know…
After lunch I went shopping in Chelsea and fell in love with a jean jacket at Burberry. I was seconds away from buying it when I realized that I could just bleach a thrift store jacket and get the same look, so I put down the jacket and turned to find some Pimm’s instead. I didn’t have to look hard before I found an outdoor viewing theater for Wimbledon hosted by none other than… Pimm’s. Before I knew it, another Pimm’s cup was in my hand and I was a happy girl.
After my multiple Pimm’s cups throughout the day and my extensive tour of the city, I headed back to my hostel and spent the night hanging out with everyone who was in the lobby. For the rest of my week in London I kept a packed schedule and did some truly amazing things. I stuffed my face full of vegan fast food, I climbed towers, I joined the Pride parade, I stumbled upon a Stevie Wonder and Lynell Richie concert in the park, I wandered through museums, I took a day trip to Brighton and so much more.
I ate at Leon’s about 100 times. I got more burgers, mac and cheese bites, wings and wraps than I ever thought was possible.
I climbed 311 steps to the top of Monument Tower. The tower is a monument to the Great Fire of London and the tower stands where the first church was burnt down in September of 1666. The Great Fire of London started in a bakery on September 2nd and slowly spread across London for 4 days straight. In it’s wake it destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul’s Cathedral, and most of the buildings of the City authorities. When the monument was built it was the highest viewing point in all of London. Today, tourists can climb up the 311 steps to look out at the newest editions to London’s skyline – the Shard (1,016ft) and the 22Bishopsgate (912ft).
I also tried to find the Doctor. For those of you who don’t already know, I am a huge Doctor Who fan. Therefore, while I was in London I kept a particularly close eye out for a blue police box that was bigger on the inside. The closest thing I could find was this telephone box, but I’ll keep searching.
I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes, and the dreamer of improbable dreams.
11th Doctor
I walked across Tower bridge, which was opened in 1884. The bridge is beautiful and was designed by one of London’s famous architects, Sir Horace Jones. My favorite fact about this bridge is that in the 1950s the bridge started to open with a bus driving in the middle of it. The driver decided in the moment that the best way out was through, and hit the gas to jump the space between the two halves of the bridge.
On the other side of Tower Bridge I went to the Tower of London, which is officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. The castle was built in 1066 and today it is a giant fortress that attracts thousands of tourists a year. The complex is comprised of several building. The most famous of these buildings are The White Tower, the Jewel House, the Royal Mint, the Medieval Palace, the Bloody Tower, the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, Tower Green and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum.
I went to Borough Market, which is London’s oldest fruit and veggie market. The first history of the market dates back to 1276, but the owners of the market claim it dates back thousands of years.
I road the red double decker bus, which is an iconic symbol of London. Coming from NYC I didn’t find the bus system to be difficult to navigate and the elevated view of the streets was a fun way to see the sights. The only not so great experience I had with the buses was the fact that I fell asleep on the bus after a late night out. On the bright side, I woke up just in time for my stop.
I went to Brick Lane and feasted on Indian food with friends. London is known for it’s delicious Indian food and while I was in town I definitely took advantage of that perk. My friends and I went to Aladin Indian Restaurant and the service was great. My favorite thing about Indian food is all of the condiments that go along with the dishes and Aladin’s provided plenty of sides and sauces. I got my classic choice, baingan bharta, and we all shared samples and stuffed our faces.
I went to lots of museums! The Tate Museum of Art was the museum that I was most excited to see while I was in London because I love art museums. I woke up extra early on the day I went to the Tate and I was one of the only people walking around the exhibits for the first hour. I loved wandering around the giant museum exhibition with only my footsteps echoing around the room. In the lobby of the museum there was an exhibit where you could draw a doodle and submit it to be displayed on the wall. I grabbed a coffee, took a break and drew my classic line doodles. My doodle was on the wall in Tate Museum, how cool is that?
My favorite exhibit that I saw while walking around the museum was the artist room for Jenny Hozer. The concept behind her work is that she provides statements in a variety of settings that provoke strong responses. The point of her statements isn’t to shock, but instead they are meant to make us stop and consider other minute words and small messages that surround us every day.
I ate a ton of food in London because when I travel I love to eat as possible. I’m lucky that vegan food is so popular now and that there are whole restaurants dedicated to this cuisine. My favorite vegan restaurant that I went to in London, other than Leon’s fast food, was Mildred’s in SoHo. Mildred’s has both indoor and outdoor dining and the ambiance is perfect. The food was also perfect, but I love when vegan restaurants have a plant-y and light filled aesthetic. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted, but I ended up going with Kiri Hodi because I read online that it was an iconic item on Mildren’s menu. The dish consists of roasted sweet potato, green beans, tomato coconut sambal covered in creamy coconut & curry leaf sauce with pea basmati and toasted coconut cashew. It was magnificent. I also decided to get the Caramel Cheesecake because Cheesecake is my favorite desert and my Grandpa says there is always room for dessert.
I still can’t believe it, but I saw Midsummer Nights Dream front row in Shakespeare’s globe. I decided last minute that I wanted to see a play in Shakespeare’s globe and I bought standing tickets for the stage. I knew that if I didn’t have something to lean on while I watched the play I would hate standing for hours, so I decided to get to the line early and be number one in line. My plan worked out and I was on the front row! I also made friends with the people next to me in line, so once we were inside we could take turns going to the shop or the bathroom. This was all around an amazing experience and I loved the liberties that the performance group took with the play performance. I expected a show at Shakespeare’s globe to be stuffy and boring, but it was so goofy, entertaining and modern. I loved every second of it.
I have been a giant Beatles fan since I started collecting records in middle school, so walking across Abbey Road was a major win for my bucket list. The Beatles went hand in hand with my 13 year old hippie phase, so naturally crossing Abbey Road was one of the first items I ever added to my bucket list. Little did anyone know back then, but my 13 year old hippie phase pretty much continues on until today. Hence, the pure joy captured by the Chaco wearing fool in the pic below.
I enjoyed my simple mornings in London, especially when I left the circus of downtown to bike out to Primrose Hill and gaze out at the panoramic city views. From Primrose Hill it was only a short walk to Stables Market in Camden Town, which is where the Amy Winehouse statue stands to memorialize her death in 2011. In addition to the Amy Winehouse statue, there are also several Banksy art pieces scattered around Camden Town. The images are found 1) under the Camden bridge, 2) under Oval Bridge and 3) next to Oval bridge. My favorite of the Camden town / Primrose Hill Banksy pieces was the graffiti that said “I don’t believe in Global Warming”, and was cut off by the waterline.
After exploring the hidden art of Camden Town I stopped into Rudy’s dirty vegan for lunch. I found Rudy’s online before I even biked out to Camden and I knew exactly what I wanted to get, the Rudy’s Rubenz. A delicious sandwich combining seitan pastrami, grilled onions, cheeze slices, sauerkraut, dill pickles & Rudy’s secret Rubenz sauce. I also got a bowl of bacon covered mac and cheese, just to make sure I couldn’t walk comfortably out of the restaurant.
I didn’t plan for my time in London to coincide with the Pride festival, but I was excited when I found out that was the case. After quitting my job and traveling around Europe all month I had completely lost track of time. When I moved into my second London hostel in Piccadilly Circus they let me know the route went right next to the front door and that they had a gift basket raffle for everyone staying the night. Surprisingly, I won the raffle and I was gifted a giant box full of Pride swag. I was especially lucky that I won because if I hadn’t won I wouldn’t have had anything fun to wear for Pride.
The festival was amazing! I love the energy and happiness that is shared during Pride festivals. It’s always such a fun day in NYC and I can’t believe it snuck up on me in another country. I watched the parade with our hostel group and then walked along the route until I got to a park full of people who were day drinking. I hung out in the park for awhile before my stomach got the best of me and I decided it was time to head back and get some food.
I thought my exciting day had ended after the Pride festival, but it only got better. After pride I went back to the hostel to take a nap, but woke up an hour later with a second round of energy. I funneled that energy into action and decided last minute to go to the natural history museum with a nearly dead phone and still decked out in my glitter covered pride gear. Foreshadowing…
I’m glad that I got to squeeze the British Natural History museum in to my trip. I normally don’t like natural history museums because everything seems fake, but this museum had a ton of interesting exhibits. The museum has a first edition copy of On the Origins of Species by Charles Darwin and it was originally published in 1859. The museum also had Blaschka glass models, which are detailed recreations of marine life. My favorite exhibits were the jewel collection, called the Vault, and the exhibit with the giant replica of the moon. In the Jewel Vault there were so many different types of gemstones, but the Ostro Stone was the one that caught my eye. It probably caught everyone’s eye because it is the biggest blue Topaz in the world. I liked this stone because 1) it’s sparkly and 2) it has an interesting history. This stone was found by Max Ostro after he survived Nazi Germany and emigrated to South America. Following his escape from German concentration camps, which involved hiding in a grave for weeks and living off potatoes, Max moved to South America and travelled around the continent in search of gemstones. In 1986 his search proved to be fruitful and he left the Amazon Rainforest the world largest blue Topaz, the Ostro stone.
After wandering around the museum halls and filling brain with little fun facts, I thought my day was done. I thought the museum was the finale of my surprise Pride day, but little did I know at the time…my day was barely over.
I was content with winning a gift basket, partying for Pride, touring a museum and calling it an early night. But, on the way back to the hostel I decided to walk through Hyde park and that decision took my day from good to great. I started to take my short cut stroll through the park when all of a sudden my ears tapped in to music echoing through the forest. I’m always a fan of live music, so I shifted my path away from the hostel and decided to follow the music instead. I walked through a path and then around a giant pond, and when I got to the other side of the pond there was a concert. I couldn’t see any signs for who was playing so I decided to ask the person closest to me who it was. Then they said, much to my surprise … “Stevie wonder and Lionel Richie.”
What?! Where else in the world can you randomly stumble onto this gem of a concert. I looked at my phone and it was only on 10%, but there was nothing that was going to get me away from this concert. I put my phone on airplane mode and then proceeded to have the time of my life. I took a seat in an empty lawn chair at the back of the concert and 5 minutes into the concert I was adopted by a nearby group of people that seemed close to my age. They had an entire picnic set up with wine and snacks and we danced the whole night. During the finale of the concert it started raining and we all danced harder in the rain and then we danced all the way back to the double decker bus. It was late and I didn’t have any juice in my phone, so I followed the group back to one of the girls apartments and charged my phone while we continued our dancing and had a mini dj’d apartment party. I don’t have any photos from this night because my phone was dead the entire time, but I do have this great polaroid and a handful of new friends.