London was one of the most incredible places I've been. Let's get this straight though because I promised myself I would tell you these two things.
1. The crowds will make you want to curl up in a ball in front of a store entrance.
2. Harrods is the biggest time waster in the world in will make you feel like you belong in a trash can.
Let's address number one. I'm usually okay with crowds and the ones in London were horrible. Wall-to-wall people pushing and shoving. Horrible. Horrible. Horrible.
The second. I have heard the name Harrods since I was two years old when my mom bought me a dress from there when we were there the first time. I read in all the travel guides: "Harrods: Must See!" I promise you it is not. Go sit in Costa if someone suggests going in. Or really I would recommend standing in the rain instead of going into Harrods for even a minute.
Torrential downpour? Bring it!
Wait inside the door for me at Harrods? Same to you buddy! I never liked you either!
You will not know what floor you're on when you're there. You will not know which door you entered. You will never find the person you entered with ever again. They have maps of the store though! I promise you will still have all of these questions. You will barely glance at a price of an eraser and you will realize that unless you are a multi-millionaire, you need to go stand on the curb asking for spare change to get by in this world.
Even after reading this, you might find yourself in London with lots of people saying "You have to go to Harrods!" and maybe you will and learn for yourself. I know though I will sleep better knowing that I warned those I could.
Okay so blah blah blah negative negative negative. I went to London and all I can do is complain?? No way Jose. (Are you reading this Jose? I don't know any Jose's but I hope one somewhere will read this.)
I will list my top ten favorite things about London starting from the bottom.
10. The Red Telephone Booths
They're real. I'm not kidding. They don't all have phones in them but they exist and that keeps me going.
9. Baker Street
I'm not the biggest Sherlock Holmes fan in the world but that street was pretty neat for all the Sherlockian things the incorporated into the area. The statue, the subway tiles, the replica house. All really neat to just see.
8. Pizza Express
I'm human. I love pizza but few pizzas have made me feel as alive as Pizza Express Padana pizza. It had my favorite things: onions, garlic, spinach, mozzarella AND goat cheese. I ate that pizza twice in a single week. I dream about this pizza on occasion. It was life changing.
7. Bus 42
This late night double decker bus was the perfect outing. I got to see Big Ben, the Tower of London, Belmont prison etc. etc. Not even kidding there was a stop for a prison. I haven't laughed as hard as I did on Bus 42 in a very long time.
6. King's Cross Station and Paddington Station
I love Harry Potter. And I love Paddington bear. It was just really neat to go to those places.
5. Costa Coffee
Honeycomb Lattes. America learn about honeycomb and embrace it with everything you have. Make it be here all the time. Every latte I had was delicious. But honeycomb, man that made me disappointed in America. Why we're on the topic of honeycomb: Crunchies. Honeycomb covered in chocolate. It's a candybar. Eat, love it, you're welcome.
4. London Eye
It was really cool to see a city that way. Every city needs one of these but let's bring the price down then okay? I wish I could see my hometown from something like that.
3. The Parks
In the midst of the craziness that is London there are beautiful, peaceful, gorgeous parks. I would spend so much time in those parks if I lived there. In Regent's Park there is a little coffee place called The Cow and the Coffee Bean. On a cold January day walking through the park that latte was the best decision I made that day. I spilled some on my gloves and Cyrena laughed at me but hey, memories rock.
2. Hotel Wifi
I love the internet. I have my phone in my hand or close to it constantly. I need Internet. Wifi in the hotel was my life saver. After a day of touring I could snuggle into my bed, post beautiful photos to Instagram, text my boyfriend and tweet until my heart's content. It was the greatest comfort in the world.
1. Harry Potter Studio Tour
Okay. The Harry Potter Studio Tour was one of the best experiences of my life. Without a doubt and for that reason I am going to leave you hanging until the next post. (It'll be sooner than the last I promise.)
Yours until the end of the internet,
Eiggam
