Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The land of Crumpets and Tea

Hello my fellow readers. Sorry it's been a while, trying to enjoy my last month and a half of being abroad... Anyways, this post will be about...

LONDON! So exciting.

London is beautiful. I could write you a novel on how much I fell in love with this city. From the people to the food to the sight seeing that you can do, I will be amazed if you don't fall in love with London too.

We arrived to London Thursday night around 11:00PM. Since it was so late, my friends and I just chilled at our friends flat where we were staying for the weekend. (Thanks guys so much, your flat was amazing and it was great seeing you all). 

Friday morning we went to Camden market. It's basically a ton of boutique stores and souvenir shops combined with tattoo parlors and some interesting stores that I shall not name all mashed together. On the other side of the market is a bunch of different food options and more clothes. I ended up getting this amazing Thai food for 5 pounds and ate it all. It was delicious. 

After the market we started doing touristy things. Naturally we went to Buckingham Palace. I must say it is a nice sight to see but it wasn't what I was expecting. To be honest, I love the Madrid Royal Palace 10x better but it's still a sight you must see and even take a picture of. We actually got to see the beginning of the changing of the guards as well which was really cool to watch. I am upset I didn't get to take a picture with the guards though since they don't move... ever. Oh well, gives me an excuse to go back.

Westminister Abbey!
From there we went to Westminister Abbey, Big Ben and saw a glimpse of the London Eye. Westminister Abbey was on my bucket list from day one. We didn't go inside because the line was ridiculous but just to see the Gothic church in person where Prince William and Duchess Kate were married, as well where the coronations take place and even burials of the royal family, it was absolutely breathtaking. Westminister Abbey has been something I've wanted to see for a while thanks to the show Downton Abbey which I highly recommend you watch if you like British culture and history. 
Big Ben was very cool to see. It's a lot bigger than I expected and it definitely has more parts attached to it.. By that I mean it is way more than just a clock tower.

Big Ben
That night I had fish and chips like a normal Brit and they were delicious. I definitely recommend eating them and ordering a beer to go with them. You won't regret it.

On Saturday we finished our tourist list. We went to Abbey Road to see the historic crosswalk from the Beatles cover photo for their album Abbey Road. This was a very cool sight to see as so many people came to take pictures and cars had to stop for you to take your picture which drivers must get aggravated with, I know I would. My friends and I also got to sign the wall on Abbey Road... I'm just leaving my mark all over the world while I can. 
Abbey Road. Hi Beatles
From there we went to.... HARRY POTTER. I am the biggest geek for Harry Potter, growing up I got the books the night they came out and went to every premiere of each movie. No shame. So naturally we (I) HAD to go to King's cross and get my picture taken at Platform 9 3/4. I almost bought a wand from the souvenir shop but I already have 1... and I don't need anymore shirts. This was honestly amazing. I wish I could go to Hogwarts, are you kidding? How awesome would that be! Also, they just opened up a new exhibition and there's even a Harry Potter hotel room you can stay at... so yes I will be returning to London in the near future. Not kidding.
On my way to HOGWARTS
To cap off being tourists we attended tea time. This is extremely expensive (20 pounds or more) depending upon where you go but it is well worth it. You pick the type of tea you want and you get 4 finger sandwiches as well as 4 desserts. Not bad for 20 pounds but still it's 20 pounds. I do highly recommend it as the entire meal was delicious and satisfying. Plus you have too if you want to feel like a true Brit.

Tea Time
After that my friends and I just chilled and went out for the night. I went to a pub and food festival with the friends I was visiting and had a blast. Honestly London is so different than Madrid. They like to chill and sip their beer and converse. Madrileños like to pound their drinks and rage till all hours of the morning. 

I fell in love with London. I fell in love with the people (but can you blame me? British accents, sign me up). I fell in love with the atmosphere. I fell in love with the food. I fell in love with it all. London is definitely a place you must visit. It has a lot to offer and they speak English. Yes it extremely expensive and had I not been able to stay with friends, I wouldn't have gone seeing as how it's almost 2x the price of the dollar but if you can afford it then you MUST go. You will not regret it and honestly I think I want to move there one day. There was something about London that makes me want to come back for more and I can't complain. Okay...maybe I can. I just wanted chipotle to fix my craving and it was super expensive.. so I guess I'll wait for when I get back to the states.. Other than that, I can see myself living a happy and content life as a lawyer in London. Maybe not forever but for a while.
Cliché photo booth picture
Always remember my dear readers: "Travel far enough and you might meet yourself"

I am thankful each and everyday I get to share this amazing and wonderful opportunity with you all and that from all of this I get to grow as an individual. I hope you are all enjoying my travels so far as much as I am. It's a big world out there, go see it.

Until next time,

Nicholas Aliquo