London

We've been in London for a few days now and so far it's been great! We are staying right in the heart of the city, in Covent Garden. Covent Garden is a cobble-stoned hip little area with tons of shops, perfect for strolling and window-shopping.

The view from our window.

We are just a few buildings away from the Thames and a spectacular view of Parliament, Big Ben, and The London Eye.

View of the Thames at night.

Our hostess, Grace, has been beyond generous and a blast to spend time with. It feels comforting to be with someone from Philly!

We found a Whole Foods, where I stocked up on locally-made vegan gluten-free British Baked goods (which totally made my heart explode with happiness).

Melanie-friendly treats!

There's cheap and healthy vegan food everywhere! Samosas for about £1 just about everywhere! "Jacket Potatoes" - baked potatoes with a whole meal stuffed into them - for £4.90! My Jacket Potato had eggplant/aubergine & lentil stew stuffed into it with a lovely salad on top. Sooo tasty! All I heard about London was how expensive it is, but it's cheaper and easier than Paris, in my opinion.

Samosas!

Jacket potatoes!

Jacket potatoes are a tasty meal in a box!

We walked by Piccadilly Circus, all lit up like a mini Times Square, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, and cute little old-timey shopping areas. We have been to the Museum of Natural History, the Tower of London, and the Tate Modern so far.

St. Paul's Cathedral

View of the London Bridge from the Tower of London

Grace took us to the flower market on Sunday, and to get there we got to ride on the top of a big red double-decker bus. The flower market was in this small, very old looking street with tiny kitschy shops lining both sides. The flower market was jam-packed with people out enjoying a Sunny Sunday buying up the first blooms of Spring. Market vendors were hollering loudly in their heavy accents, boasting their cheap prices, like something out of a book or movie.

On the way to the flower market on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

London is more like the US than Paris, obviously, which is both annoying and comforting. There are familiar chain stores everywhere, but I can find food more easily, speak to people, etc. There is beautiful architecture everywhere and crazy history of royal wackiness going back over a thousand years.

The fashion here is enjoyable and interesting. Paris is exceptional, of course, but most Londoners seem to be chic and well put-together. Lots of cute shoes, interesting jackets, etc. I really appreciate that people are a bit dressier and not afraid to get creative. Also, I have not seen anyone in a sweatsuit or UGGs! Yea, I really like it here.

Chanel logo on a lampost. Apparently Coco Chanel had a relationship with the Duke of Westminster in the 1920's and he put her logo on the lampposts to woo her!