So I suppose I should start this long, massive post about my stay in England which was super lovely!
My travel itinerary was to take a train to A'dam, train to Brussels, train to London, however when I got to Brussels, I had to stand in this massive line to get through British Customs. These British Customs officers were also extremely rude. I didn't know Lauren and Matt's address because I was getting picked up and when I mentioned I didn't have the address for my landing card the officer yelled at me, "Where you staying, the street?" To me rude comments like that are absolutely not necessary. After getting through my ticket scanned, my passport scrutinized twice, (didn't sound too good that I was born in SA, am canadian, living in holland, currently in belgium trying to go to england to stay with canadians..) and got through baggage security I learnt that much to my dismay, my train had left without me. Yes, that's right, little old, me in Belgium with a departed train. I couldn't help but let an exhausted and frustrated tear out, just as an employee of eurolines handed me a ticket to the next train, so missing it really wasn't my fault but due to the overflow of passengers all trying to get through security. So I sat and waited another hour to catch the train and eventually made it into the loving arms of Canadians!
I really did learn and appreciate the difference between being in the care of canadians in comparison to that of the Europeans, no offence intended.
I was welcomed into their cute place to a plate sized pizza that I couldn't even finish, it was beautiful.
The next morning, we woke up and had amazing panakes with maple syrup which I haven't had for 6 months, and headed out first to Camden market, the largest shopping market in Europe!
It was super cool walking around and seeing all the vintage stores and colours
and styles of everything, super neat. At one point we stopped to eat food and could choose from probably 50 different stalls selling food it was magic!
I had spicy mac and cheese made to order by 2 brothers from Winchester.
Next we hopped on the tube and went to soho/china town area of London which was pretty cool. I really just loved walking around and being shown around by friends.
Next stop was piccadilly circus. It didn't entirely blow me away but I was told is looks spectacular at night!
A place I really did enjoy which I felt was a good representation of London and had a really nice vibe and was equally beautiful and nice enough to sit down and just take in was trafalgar square. I loved the water fountains and huge lion sculptures and double decker buses.
Next we made our way over to Parliment and the Big Ben. I didn't think I would be that blown away by the big ben, but I was. Because it's actually quite large and impressive and while we were there the sun was shining on the building just so, it made for really pretty pictures. Plus it was such a beautiful day out, we didn't even need our jackets and we were just taking in the views and atmosphere of London it was great!
Also right there across the street was West Minster Abbey and I was told by Lauren that Shakesphere is burried there which I had no idea but found very interesting!
Then we swung a left and walked down what I think is referred to as the South bank and saw lovely views of Parliment and the London Eye, which I would be much too terrified to ever go on haha.
Then we headed home, it was a super busy day and I think I saw a lot of London in just that single day!!
On Sunday we got up and decided we would visit knotting hill to go to the portobello street market that has been around for over 20 years.
I really loved the feel of the market and knottinghill has the cutest colour schemes on houses.
After taking our time strolling around we worked up an appetite and after seeing someone sitting outside of a mexican restaurant eating nachos we just had to go in because Lauren has been on the hunt for those special nachos that are good enough to win the number one award.
I think all 3 of us really enjoyed them!
Next we took the tube and walked through regent park while the sun began to set.
I saw these little critters everywhere and was reminded about my brother haha.
Then we stopped by Oxford Circus and popped into a few shops and then headed home for the night!
I was sort of nervous for the next day, Monday as both Lauren and Matt would be working and I would have to fend for myself, but I forced myself to just DO IT and I concoured the London Tube System!! I found my way to the Natural History Museum and was blown away by their large collection of Animals and Dinosaurs, although it has nothing on drumheller. :P
Afterwards I went down the street and stopped in at Hyde Park for a bit.
Since I was feeling brave and really enjoyed Knottinghill I strolled through there afterwards for the 2nd time just taking in the area.
Cool fact is George Orwell lived on Portobello road!
On Tuesday me and Lauren went through Green Park and up to the Buckingham Palace and the Marble Arch.
And also road on the top level of a double decker!
and went to Oxford Circus and bought matching travel bags from Primark!
We also stopped by Knottinghill for the third time to run a personal errand. Mwaha.
Then I headed over to the British Museum while Lauren headed back home.
This Museum was stunning and has the largest collection of Humanity's history I've ever seen, and a ton from Egypt which was so impressive to me.
I would recommend the British Museum over the Natural History Museum, but both were lovely and both were free!
I went back home and Lauren Matt and I headed down to "Hell's Pizza" via top level of double decker where they had meat, veggie, vegan and gluten free pizza and every pizza had a different insane name, mine was purgatory. Basically we ate ourselves silly and returned home for our last evening together.
I appreciated the fact that I could stay with Lauren and Matt so much. Just being with Canadians was amazing but with such nice ones even more so! I talked their ears off half the time and slept on their couch for 5 nights in a row, but yet somehow they spent their ENTIRE weekend endlessly showing me around, being moral support, made me supper every single night, let me watch episodes of the office with them and I never lifted a single finger for 5 days. I can't even begin to thank them for the kindess they showed me.
Basically I had an amazing time in London, and I was super happy I got to see the city where my parents had their honeymoon.
Thanks for reading!
