Hopefully we didn’t cover anything important in Friday’s history of art lecture, because all I could do was think about how excited I was to head off to London that afternoon! I practically ran out of class to pick up my bag from my flat before heading down to Waverley Station to catch the train. Despite the delays from Berwick Upon Tweed to Newcastle (which made my train almost an hour late), it was an enjoyable, pretty trip down the coast, through the countryside, and into the city. Katie met me at King’s Cross with her friends Emma, Susan, and Yoojin so we could all geek out and take pictures at Platform 9 3/4.
Off to Hogwarts!
Afterwards, we caught a bus to Southwark (which is pronounced ‘Sutheck’) before meeting another high school friend, Chelsea, as well as Katie’s friend Adèle, at Wahaca Waterloo. Since Edinburgh’s not really known for its Mexican food (there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for Chipotle at this point), I was quite excited to eat here.
From left to right: Adèle, Katie, me, Chelsea, and Emma pre-margaritas and Mexican food.
Afterwards, Chelsea, Katie, and I did some catching up at a pub before calling it a night. Katie and I walked back along the South Bank of the Thames, which was so beautiful all lit up at night. London is so much bigger than Edinburgh and it was cool to explore a larger city for a change. I do love Auld Reekie, but London definitely feels like a city.
A London icon.
Me and Katie in front of the Shard, the second tallest building in Europe!
We woke up on the early side the next day since we wanted browse Portobello Market in Notting Hill in the morning and do touristy things in the afternoon. We took the Tube (so, so much nicer than the NYC subway) over to Notting Hill and joined the crowds walking through the stalls.
Hamden Hall reunion across the pond.
Such a cute part of London.
Obligatory phone booth picture – when in London, right?
Me and my “authentic European Starbucks.”
After browsing the stalls (where I picked up my sassy new hat), we went to afternoon tea in Kensington. Katie and her friends stumbled upon the quaintest little tea shop during one of their first weeks in London and have loved the place ever since. Its mismatched tea cups and abundance of clotted cream make it feel so quintessentially British, and it’s fun to nibble on sandwiches and scones while talking.
At Candella in Kensington.
After tea, Emma, Katie and I walked through Hyde Park and past Kensington Palace to the V&A Museum.
Kensington Palace from the side.
Bow down, bitches.
Me and my BFF Queen Victoria.
Birds in Hyde Park.
Flats in Kensington likely worth the endowment of a small liberal arts college.
We walked through the jewelry and illustrations of the V&A before heading back to the South Bank to go to see the View from the Shard. An 800ft high glass structure, The Shard rises up from the South Bank and makes all the other tall buildings look stumpy in comparison. We went up to the the viewing decks around 6:00, and the views did not disappoint.
Tower Bridge and the Thames.
It was very cool to see all the poppies surrounding the Tower of London.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Millennium Bridge.
The London Eye as the sun went down.
Pretty lights in the big city.
Tower Bridge and us!
We met Katie’s friend Caitlin after the Shard at a place called the Breakfast Club. At the name would suggest, they do all day breakfast as well as burgers and sandwiches, and they play music from its namesake movie! The All American Breakfast caught all our eyes, and soon we were tucking into pancakes, crispy bacon, sausage, eggs, and potatoes (and real maple syrup). We went to the Thirsty Bear for drinks afterwards, before realizing we had to be up even earlier the next day for our trip to Brighton.
We made it to King’s Cross St Pancras bright and early for our train and bus journey down to Brighton, a cute little seaside city often compared to Santa Monica (for its pier) and Provincetown (for its LGBTQIAP community). Arriving around 10, we made our way to the lanes and had brunch at Farm before setting off to explore the town. All the cute, colorful houses reminded me of Notting Hill a bit, but in a more carefree sort of way.
I’d move in in a heartbeat.
So pretty!
I especially loved all the juxtapositions of different doors and houses agains each other.
Brighton also had a lot of interesting street art.
And pretty market stands.
We spent most of the day walking around and exploring the city. We stopped by the Royal Pavilion, which is an interesting bit of Middle Eastern architecture in the middle of a garden.
What really makes Brighton shine, however, is the pier and oceanfront. We couldn’t believe how picturesque it was; with the ferris wheel, amusements, fish and chip stands, and sunny skies, it didn’t quite seem real!
See what I mean?
The entrance to the pier.
Unreal.
After a long day of walking around and exploring, we got an early dinner of burgers and headed back to London Town. Katie and I had planned to go to Trafalgar Square and other touristy attractions Saturday night, but it was raining and we decided to pass. Luckily, the weather was much better Sunday night, so we headed out to see the sights.
Nelson’s Column, which is dwarf-like in comparison to the Shard but still massive in person.
The National Gallery, which looks very similar to the one in Edinburgh because of the classical architecture these sorts of museums tend to have (thanks, history of art!).
Lions in front of Nelson’s Column – my favorite!
Statues outside Buckingham Palace.
Will and Kate kissed behind where I’m standing!
The Queen was not in at that moment, but the palace was impressive nonetheless.
The walk leading up to the palace was lined with Union Jacks as well as the flag of Singapore, whose president is in London for an official visit.
Big Ben and double decker buses, could it get any more London?
Me and good old Ben.
Monday morning it was time for all of us to get back to work (the study part of studying abroad always seems to fall to the back burner, doesn’t it?). After a great, faced-paced weekend seeing old friends and meeting new ones, it was nice to have some down time and do some reading on the train back up to Scotland. Until next time, London!