London Love

The one and only time, before this time of course, that I'd visited London was 4 days 8 years ago.  I loved it then and I must say I absolutely still love it now.  I went into this trip slightly worried.  I knew I loved the city then, but what if it wasn't everything I remembered it being? What if the people were nasty or the streets were dirty or the Tube workers went on strike again for the entirety of the trip and I'd have no transportation?  But none of that happened. Every person I spoke to was kind and considerate.  The Tube and most of the city is clean and well-kept.  And the Tube rattled along smoothly and effortlessly without even a little blip.  It was, to put it another way, everything I wanted it to be!  Which as you know, just ignited the spark of living there a little more.  

What We Did: We mostly stuck to the touristy spots that everyone has to do when you're in London - Tower of London, London Eye, Portobello Road (even cooler and more packed than I remember!), Harrod's (less packed this time around seeing as it was Boxing Day the last time I was there and everyone and their brother was going for after Christmas sales), Abbey Road, Baker Street (okay, not everyone does this but what can I say?  I had to see Sherlock's house at least once), Paddington Station (to visit the bear from darkest Peru of course), St. Dunstan's in the East (a church that was bombed during the Blitz and now acts as a public garden), and Buckingham Palace.

What We Ate (as you know, it's ALL about the food!): Fish and Chips at The Globe, Gourmandise (sort of a chocolate croissant with cream inside) at Paul Patisserie, Huevos Rancheros at Recipease by Jamie Oliver, Some kind of pasta delicious thing at Strada and Tea everywhere (I think I had tea with every meal and it was always the perfect cup!). Suffice it to say, my pants are feeling a bit snug even with all the walking.

Surprises Along the Way: Abbey Road has all sorts of graffiti on their front gates - which is mostly Beatles lyrics and is pretty awesome; so awesome we just had to partake.  (Also, someone's going to get hit by a bus one of these days trying to recreate the cover of that album...I'm just saying.) 
~I am SO SO SO much less directionally challenged in foreign countries than I am in places I've lived my entire life. I knew all the Tube Stops we needed.  I was able to follow the Tube map and use the ticket machine like a pro; so much so that another American asked me for help.  I have to admit I was feeling pretty cocky after that!
~Recipease by Jamie Oliver was a total fluke and turned into my most favorite meal of the week.  In my next imaginary trip over there, (or of course when I finally get a job there) I will most definitely be taking one of their cooking classes.

Verdict: I am more convinced than ever that this thriving, bustling, international, alive city is the perfect place for me.  I felt at home there.  Aside from all the people I love (and who love me back, not just the ones that don't know I exist : ) and Iced Tea it has pretty much everything else I would need to live happily ever after.