London Journal (Days 1-3)

This summer I managed to get away to London for a week with one of my best friends, Cecilia, and stay in her Aunt's house while we explored the city. On the first day I got off the plane and through customs really easily. I was pretty worried going into this trip, but after we got into the car Cece's aunt called for us I felt more confident that everything was going to be fine even though we were alone.

 

We reached Cece's Aunt's house and went through the charming blue door to find an even more charming house with a garden. We planned to go see Neil's yard, a colorful little alleyway and then go to the National Portrait Gallery. 

We took the tube (which is quieter and more calm than the subway) and after we saw Neil's Yard (which was nice but not as big as we had hoped, as you can kindof see in the above picture) we grabbed some gyoza and pork buns and headed to the National Portrait Gallery. I was already super tired from jet lag and expecting to fall asleep mentally if not literally, but I was enchanted by the museum. Something about the fact that all of the pieces were portraits was really compelling to me: I wanted to know what all of their stories were. 

I bought three greeting cards and the gift shop and we left. I don't know what it is about cards/postcards/stationary, but I love them. They are easy to transport, find and display, so I buy them wherever I go. I think they interest me because they make me feel like I will one day have tons of lovers in far off places that I can write to... I don't know. Anyway, we somehow made our way to Chinatown and wandered around in and out of the antique bookstores and clothing shops until we came across a bakery where I promptly bought five pastries and a chrysanthemum drink that tasted awful.

DAY 2
The next day, we woke up rested and eat breakfast with tea and cereal. Then we walked FOREVER because the app we were using told us we needed to (we did not) in order to get on the bus to Portobello Market. When we arrived, it wasn't as crowded as I expected it to be, so we were able to stroll more calmly. 

We went into a bunch of different stores and looked at all the flea market tables. I bought a yellow pencil case that says "Pen orgy, in here, tonight. Pencils can come too." I also bought a scarf for my mom, and a bunch of Studio Ghibli postcards that I plan to put up on my wall next year at Uni. I also bought an absolutely fabulous floral dress with POCKETS--I LOVE it. 

After we were done shopping at the market we decided to continue what became a shopping day on Bond Street, where the more normal stores are. I didn't buy much, just some inexpensive eyeshadow and lipstick. We got some bubble tea and headed home. Cecilia bought some great jeans and a jean jacket. Both of us bought a bunch of British chocolates too, because the chocolate made in the UK is creamier and better. For dinner we had Lamb burgers and afterwards we watched Notting Hill and laughed long into the night about nothing.

DAY 3

Today we woke up late and ate scones for breakfast. But the time we got out of the house it was about 2 PM, and we went to the Thames and and visited the museums up-and-down the south bank. We laughed like crazy people, and ate food off of a food truck festival that we found. 

All along the bank there were little installations. One of them gave us free balloons, and we wore them even inside the Tate Modern. The Tate Modern just expanded and so there were a lot of people there perusing the art. The balloons were actually surprisingly helpful it was great to be able to turn around the corner, spot a balloon, and know that my friends were there.

We got Mexican food and cocktails and watch the sunset over the Thames before walking in to a concert accidentally while searching for a bathroom. We ended up staying and dancing and singing along with the karaoke tracks for a good long time with strangers that we hardly knew. The last song was New York New York, (Sinatra) which I thought was hilarious.