I've been a bad, bad, blogger. I have been so totally and completely swept up (as I tend be) in living my London Adventure that I've completely neglected to chronicle any of it! But, maybe that's not such as bad thing because I've spent that time pretending I'm a real Londoner, imagining that I actually live in this bustling, vibrant, rainy, diverse, buzzing city. And now, as my time here is drawing to a close, I can say that I really do feel like I've LIVED here. I feel at home. I love reading the trashy newspapers over the shoulders of fellow commuters as I ride the tube to and from White City. I love how everyone looks effortlessly stylish, even under mounds of winter coats and scarves. I love the markets scattered all over the city, each one full of unique treasures, just waiting to be discovered. I love the BBC and the fact that days go by in a snap, as I rush back and forth between Media Centre, White City, and our editing suite, or head out to an on-location shot somewhere around the city. I love drinking tea all day long. And I love how, after days of rain, the sky can open up to be a beautifully clear blue, as if the miserable grey days that preceeded it never happened.
The past few weeks have been full of the things that make London such a great place to be; going to see world class theatre, chatting away a rainy evening in a cozy pub, discovering new, funky neighborhoods, and making fabulous new friends from all over the world.
So how do I begin to describe the last month and a half? The truth is, it's not possible. Well, it is POSSIBLE...but you would stop reading about a eighth of the way through, so I won't even attempt. Instead, I'll try to distill my time here down to a couple of experiences that have made my time here so memorable.
ELECTION EXCITEMENT
London was abuzz right before the US presidential election. Well, I guess the whole world was abuzz. Throughout my travels I have been consistently surprised by the level of interest in the election. Even in places like Macedonia and Montenegro, local newspapers were plastered with photos of Barack Obama. In Istanbul, I had a lengthy discussion with a young Turkish waiter over his distaste for George Bush and his desire to see Obama win the White House.
Despite all of this, I wasn't prepared for just how caught up in the election people in Great Britain would be. In addition to wall to wall coverage of the election in the weeks preceeding November 4th, London was host to tons of election night watch parties. One party in particular boasted separate sections for Democrats and Republicans!
Once Obama's victory was a sure thing it was all anyone was talking about. As a (quasi) American it was fascinating to eavesdrop on all of the conversations happening around me. Seems that the Brits are just as eager as we are to see the embarrassment of the last eight years come to an end. Perhaps one of the most telling indicators of British sentiment was a front page headline I saw on the tube the day after the election. It read, "The Day America Became Sort of Cool Again."
FABULOUS FRIENDS
My time in London would not have been quite as fantastic had it not been for all of the wonderful people I've met. In fact, if it weren't for dancing the night away to AWFUL covers of American songs at Walkabout, navigating the tube with my two amigos on Halloween, seeing the largest tower of brownies known to man at Borough Market, getting hopelessly lost in Brixton mid super intense conversation, chatting chatting chatting over endless glasses on wine, eating several of the most amazing meals of my life after a month of bread and cheese, and listening amazing stories of love, loss, travel and home, London wouldn't have had as much lustre.
I know I've made some true blue, BFF, kindred spirit type friends in the past few weeks...we're working together to plot my return to the UK.
MIRACULOUS MARKETS
London's unebelievable markets are hands-down my FAVORITE thing about the city. Granted, I have a soft spot for all markets, not just the ones in London. In fact, in every city I've visited, finding a local market is one of the first things I do. Maybe it's because meandering through a market, watching as people go about their daily business, buy food for dinner, choose flowers for their home, or scout out fabulous vintage finds, makes me feel like less of a tourist. Being surrounded by people that actually live in the city I'm temporarily calling home makes me feel at home. And HOME seems to be my buzz word these days.
The past few weeks have been full of the things that make London such a great place to be; going to see world class theatre, chatting away a rainy evening in a cozy pub, discovering new, funky neighborhoods, and making fabulous new friends from all over the world.
So how do I begin to describe the last month and a half? The truth is, it's not possible. Well, it is POSSIBLE...but you would stop reading about a eighth of the way through, so I won't even attempt. Instead, I'll try to distill my time here down to a couple of experiences that have made my time here so memorable.
ELECTION EXCITEMENT
London was abuzz right before the US presidential election. Well, I guess the whole world was abuzz. Throughout my travels I have been consistently surprised by the level of interest in the election. Even in places like Macedonia and Montenegro, local newspapers were plastered with photos of Barack Obama. In Istanbul, I had a lengthy discussion with a young Turkish waiter over his distaste for George Bush and his desire to see Obama win the White House.
Despite all of this, I wasn't prepared for just how caught up in the election people in Great Britain would be. In addition to wall to wall coverage of the election in the weeks preceeding November 4th, London was host to tons of election night watch parties. One party in particular boasted separate sections for Democrats and Republicans!
Once Obama's victory was a sure thing it was all anyone was talking about. As a (quasi) American it was fascinating to eavesdrop on all of the conversations happening around me. Seems that the Brits are just as eager as we are to see the embarrassment of the last eight years come to an end. Perhaps one of the most telling indicators of British sentiment was a front page headline I saw on the tube the day after the election. It read, "The Day America Became Sort of Cool Again."
FABULOUS FRIENDS
My time in London would not have been quite as fantastic had it not been for all of the wonderful people I've met. In fact, if it weren't for dancing the night away to AWFUL covers of American songs at Walkabout, navigating the tube with my two amigos on Halloween, seeing the largest tower of brownies known to man at Borough Market, getting hopelessly lost in Brixton mid super intense conversation, chatting chatting chatting over endless glasses on wine, eating several of the most amazing meals of my life after a month of bread and cheese, and listening amazing stories of love, loss, travel and home, London wouldn't have had as much lustre.
I know I've made some true blue, BFF, kindred spirit type friends in the past few weeks...we're working together to plot my return to the UK.
MIRACULOUS MARKETS
London's unebelievable markets are hands-down my FAVORITE thing about the city. Granted, I have a soft spot for all markets, not just the ones in London. In fact, in every city I've visited, finding a local market is one of the first things I do. Maybe it's because meandering through a market, watching as people go about their daily business, buy food for dinner, choose flowers for their home, or scout out fabulous vintage finds, makes me feel like less of a tourist. Being surrounded by people that actually live in the city I'm temporarily calling home makes me feel at home. And HOME seems to be my buzz word these days.
The best thing about London markets is that they're all so very different from each other. Each one has its own distinct personality. Camden Market is young, hip, alternative, and teeming with punked out 16 year olds in tattered fishnets and Converse. Borough Market is the oldest outdoor market in London and is a foodie's heaven. You can spend an entire afternoon in the market, sampling everything from pate to elderflower cordial as you hop from booth to booth. Brick Lane markets are artsy, original and the best place for great vintage finds and tasty curry. Portobello Market is full charm. The street is packed with old world antiques, allegedly priceless art (one man swore one of his paintings was a Klimt) and English kitsch. The stories from London are endless. I could go on forever. Really.
On Monday I fly back to the U.S. to family and friends I've missed dearly, to a new beginning that I haven't yet figured out how to begin, and to days full of everyday adventures. But, I don't think London and I are through. In fact, I have a sneaky feeling that I'll be back again very, very soon...
2 comments:
Bad blogger!
sooo many stories
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