United Kingdom
A Parallel Universe
I started off my adventure on the Hogwarts Express, or something similar. The magic was definitely there as we went from a completely dry environment to a lush green one. Stepping into what I thought was a movie set. I went to grab groceries from our local market near the airbnb. We walked through cobble streets and suburbs to get there, to my amazement we were only a block away from the most iconic views in the city. I grabbed my tote bag - determined to get bread, milk, water the sun was setting and I felt my heart skip a beat. In so many movies I have seen the Big Ben and clock tower however I never quite saw myself standing there. I’m not sure why but it was almost surreal moment. Life has a funny way of stoping you in your tracks and smacking you with a good ole “damn is this real?!”
People in London love to dress up. Business casual is the daily attire. However drinking throughout the day is a cultural norm.
The pubs in London are my favorite - Every single one was lined with beautiful flowers around I the doorway. It was extremely enticing and welcoming. I discovered a new favorite of mine. Pimms and Lemonade. Delicious and refreshing on a summers day! it’s their equivalent to lemoncello in Italy!
And when I say that London is a parallel universe I mean that almost everything is opposite to the US. HAHA Not only do they drive on the left, steering wheels on the right. But zippers zip up instead of down…
Ill be honest, Im not a huge fan of the cuisine in London. They love their fish & chips - for me its a one and done. However, the Indian food is BUSSIN BUSSIN. (If your not from the Bay Area you may have no idea what I’m talking about)
My favorite area in the city Covent garden
Always look up
I spent an entire day walking around ALL of central London. Your girl can walk! Especially if the architecture is incredible… But never ask me to run a few miles around the neighborhood haha. All jokes aside, London is overstimulating to say the least. There is something aesthetically pleasing in every nook and cranny. And if you’re a shortie like myself you will find that your neck may be sore after a day in London as there are so many intricate buildings that you just have to look up or you might miss something.
Energy!!
As the city is vibrant with artistic energy they are also very aware of their consumption of energy. I’ve noticed that all the plugs and outlets in the houses have on and off switches. Usually we unplug everything in my household and its a pain in the ass. I really appreciate this little feature.It makes life a wee bit easier and I feel like I’m helping out the planet in the small way that I can. Not only that those cute taxis you see in movies are all electric. They are huge on the inside too! I would’ve loved growing up there and going out with a gang of my friends. You can fit like 8 people in the back!
The Cotswolds
Simply beautiful. Calm. Peace are the words that come to mind when I think of the Cotswolds.
Its as if you are going back in time… cobbled stone streets, cottages with green pastures, antique shops and tea places… It’s continuously the 18th century. With an occasional Ferrari or mini cooper flying by. It is where the old meets the new. Time doesn’t seem to matter here. Life is simple. You can often find people walking their dogs in the sunshine through the rolling green hills, the elderly sipping tea in the afternoon, or someone curled up on the couch reading and distressed leather bound book. Cotswold will forever leave a place in my heart like a crinkle from a folded corner from a saved page in my book.
