Let’s begin, however, from the beginning of my ventures…

The first time I went to Brick Lane it was cold, dark, rainy and I wasn’t what you would call… sober, so naturally, I went back during the day and in a clear state of mind. Brick Lane, located off the East Aldgate stop, is the place to go if you want culturally diverse surroundings with numerous Indian, Asian, Mediterranean restaurants as well as clubs, cafe’s, antique shops, and most importantly, Sunday market. Brick Lane is definitely not just another street in East London; it is an extremely historical place that dates back to over 450 years and is known as the center for immigration for centuries.The day I went was probably the most crowded day of the week, but the best time to go in order to get the London experience. Sunday is the day to go if you want to grab some pad thai from a random vendor ( my first time= heavenly), go antiquing, buy some vintage clothes or jewelery, sort through numerous vintage vinyl records or just explore the different markets for their random knick knacks. I can’t wait to go back.

Brick Lane

Camden Market has been a great hot spot since the early 70′s. It is entirely made up of open markets with crazy pot head vendors ( well at least my fave vendor was a pot head… no, really she was smoking a joint) swarms of hardcore studded belt wearing, punk rock kids AND adults roaming the crowded streets and sporting their mohawks or if we were lucky,towering liberty spikes that probably involved the use of at least 3 tubes of extra extra hard gel. Honestly, I have never seen so many funktastic ( that’s right, I said it ) 1970′s punk, sex pistols influenced people walking down the same street before. It was as if I entered a different dimension. Other than that fun bit, Camden also provided the most detailed market I have ever been to in my life. ( Sorry Gma and Gpa, your Floridian flea markets are nothing compared to this place) This one market in particular, Camden Lock was located on a pier so I assumed it’d be a quick in and out deal. I was DEAD wrong. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get through probably 3/4 of that market. The amount of stores, vendors and restaurants that were fit into that seemingly tiny, somewhat underground marketplace was astounding. We left completely bewildered and were already talking about going back. Although we were sad to leave, Camden Town bid us farewell with a cheap, mouthwatering treat: the biggest and tastiest falafel I have ever consumed. Seriously, it was probably the length of my arm, full of wonderful, indescribable flavor… and joy. I long for my second helping to this day.

camden town

The last of my favorite hot spots thus far in London has to be Portobello Road located in the lovely and historical Notting Hill. Although Portobello Road is quite literally.. a road, it is by far the most jam packed cobble stoned street I have ever been on. Seven days a week local residents can pick up fresh produce from the street vendors lined up and down the road and every saturday, rain or shine, there is an amazing antique/flea type market set up outside the shops/restaurants for all to enjoy. If you are looking for… anything, just name it, Portobello Market is the place to go Saturday mornings/afternoons. I was most impressed by the wide selection of antique cameras and seemingly detective related doodads like magnifying glasses or even lockets that date back as far as the late 1800′s. There is seriously something for everyone. The best part about it isn’t the goods, actually, but the atmosphere. Yes, there are so many people crowding the street that it’s hard to really walk sometimes, but if you take a moment to just look around at the zillion different interactions going on around you, one tends to forget the mayhem and focus on how fascinating marketplaces really are. It’s seemingly all business, however, the vendors have real connections with their customers and seem to form some sort of relationship with the people that take a second to look at their stuff.

Portobello Road

Truly remarkable.

1. Into the Wild

2. Michael Clayton

3. 4 months 3 weeks 2 days

Movie theaters in the UK are considerably different ( when I say different I mean smaller) than those in the U.S. and twice as much money ( depending on when/where you go). Also, there are about 5 theaters with the same name (Odeon) within a 100 yard radius of one another, thus, making it nearly impossible to find the right theater.

*** There is about 30 minutes of previews/commercials so no need to show up exactly on time to the theater.

Of the three movies I have seen thus far, my favorite lies between Michael Clayton starring George Clooney and the Romanian film called 4 months 3 weeks 2 days. Both are equally stimulating and end when you least expect it. Into the Wild was quite entertaining and Emile Hirsh definitely didn’t disappoint, but it wasn’t nearly as memorable as the other two.

Since movies tend to come out in the UK at least a month after they release in the US, I am pretty sure that neither Michael Clayton or Into the Wild are still playing in Jersey. Sorry, folks.

I’ll be sure to keep you updated on any future cinematic experiences.

*** ( ** = little facts learned of British life/culture through personal experience) NEVER GIVE CAB DRIVERS TIPS. It isn’t a part of the culture here. Mind you, I gave my driver a 5 pound tip. Foolish, foolish American is what he was thinking I am sure.

The following day we had an early wake up call- 10 AM ( 5 hour time difference took a few days to get used to), so you can imagine how excited I was to go on a bus tour of London. Woo. However, once I met our tour guide, Jan, any qualms about the day I had immediately disappeared. She is an adorable old woman with, of course, the most brilliant British accent. What I liked most about her was that every time we got off the bus to take pictures or get a better look around, she would walk very quickly in front of all of us with her yellow, Mary Poppins umbrella held up high so you would never lose her in a crowd. ( I say it was Mary Poppins because the handle was a goose head- how British)

*** Pub life is very laid back. No one goes to a pub to get drunk ( that is what a bar is for, duh). Instead, people go there to meet up for a pint as a way of winding down after a grueling day of work.

*** DON’T TIP AT PUBS. You order and pay at the bar. Yes, they bring the food to you, but it isn’t customary to tip. We did stupidly the first night we went out.

*** PS Fish and Chips is amazing, and everyone must try it. Plain and simple.

That Saturday, we went on a walking tour around Kensington to get to know the history of the area a little better as well as build a better understanding direction wise. Once again, Jan was our lovely tour guide. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are probably the best part about living in Kensington. Both parks are extremely close to where I am living and are just too beautiful to avoid going to at least once a week. ( that is, once it gets warmer, I plan on going more often)

That evening, I had my first ‘tube’ experience and was very pleased with how easy it was. The underground is remarkably similar to both the D.C. metro and NYC subway- easy to figure out and very organized. My friends and I paid a visit to Piccadilly Circus which reminded me too much of Times Square.

*** The Tate Modern is very much like the MOMA in NYC. Beautiful modern art including one of my favorites– Andy Warhol. There are new exhibits nearly every month. I got through 2/3 of it so far. Definitely a great place to go when the weather is awful.

My favorite part of ‘ The City’ ( main part of London where it is most busy ) is probably the Millennium Bridge, so far, simply because of its unique structure and great views of the London Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

*** At restaurants, only leave a 10% tip; they don’t expect anything more.

*** If you want your check, you have to flag the waiter/waitress down. Unlike America, they don’t rush you out of the restaurant. You can take your time.

*** Remember, they drive on the opposite side of the street, so before crossing, even at a crosswalk, be careful. There are hardly any Stop signs in London. Cars and buses tend to whiz by.

Last weekend we ventured to East London ( East Aldgate to be exact) and explored the less touristy side of London. Although it appeared a bit dodgy ( ha) at first, I soon realized how comfortable I felt walking around, even at night. East London reminded me a lot of U street in D.C. The architecture was very old and full of Victorian styled buildings and the people were just there to have fun and get drunk; didn’t feel nervous or in danger at all. People go there to have a genuinely good time at one of the local cafe’s or clubs… and pee against buildings or in abandoned parks. Jolly good time!

*** PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS = COMMON. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found beer cans on the tube or ran into a perfectly normal person drinking a bottle disclosed ( sometimes not) in a paper bag.

*** DRINKING AGE=18 enough said.

* More to come soon