I have had the good fortune to go to London twice this year, with more trips planned soon. Such an infinitely entertaining city, with friendly people and charming accents. I could spend years there and not get bored. This time I was hosted by the lovely and talented Em and her husband Jeremy. You might notice a certain similarity between this post and one on her blog.
Em just moved to London, so it was fun to get to explore her new city with her. We found a local pub with her favorite beer (I use this term loosely) on tap and another one with a fun-filled pub quiz night. Our all-American team did surprisingly well given how many questions had to do with English soccer and Mr. Bean. Still, I recommend that they recruit some locals for next week.
I don’t usually like shopping but even that is more fun in London, especially when there are kitschy blow-up Christmas decorations overhead. There’s no Thanksgiving in Europe to hold back the Christmas stuff, so it starts appearing as soon as the whether gets nippy.
My trip happened to coincide with Guy Fawkes Day. Unfortunately we didn’t see any bonfires, but there were fireworks all over the place. Next time I’m hoping for some effigies. Even if I have to make them myself.
A lot of our time was spent wandering aimlessly. One can do this all day in London, passing from one neighborhood to another while being constantly entertained. And if you happen to wander into a museum or gallery or two along the way, all the better.
One of our days of wandering centered around Rivington Street, an area full of galleries, cafes, and artsy little shops. We had a cheap and delicious lunch at Cargo while admiring the graffiti art. We took in some wonderful exhibits at Rivington Place and White Cube. Later on we stopped for coffee on the animal-print sofas of Zigfrid von Underbelly and spent about an hour photographing ourselves in the mirrored mosaic bathroom.
Another highlight of the trip was our many bus rides across town. When you’re not in a hurry, it’s much more fun to travel on the top level of a red bus than deep underground. Especially if you get the front seat, and you’re traveling west into a glorious sunset.
Looks like you had a great time and wonderful weather. Each time we have been there it is raining and bitter ass cold! Great pictures!
You're right, I was so lucky weather-wise. I don't think I opened my umbrella once the whole time.
I just love London, it is such a fun city to visit. Looks like you had a great trip!
Angela – I agree. I think it's one of my favorite cities in Europe, at least at the moment.
Beautiful pix, esp. that last one of what looks to be Oxford Street at sunset. Nice.
one cannot underestimate the challenge of high quality mirror mosaic picture taking
I'm not sure Mr. Weak As A Kitten's Paw is the right trivia partner, but I agree we need to recruit someone. Then again, maybe hit up a local Indian transplant who can also share the complete Kama Sutra guidebook so we can use those bindis like you, Em, and I plan to!
Aah, I'm taking my S.O. to London for his first time this coming christmas holiday. I don't know Rivington St. but it seems like we'll have to check out that area 🙂
Thanks for the tip and gorgeous photos!
If you're in Munich next year, check out the GEA bonfire event in Mariabrunn. It was our first time and a lot of fun to build the bonfire ourselves in the afternoon, with a team of fun expats and Germans, before heading off for dinner, then back for the burning part (complete with Guy of course)!
Great London post! London is definitely on our travel list this year- this got us so excited. Love your blog!
Michael – thanks. 🙂
Em – next time I'm bringing the big camera just in case we run into such a mosaic again.
Jenny – you gals do what you need to do. Go team obatzda.
Lisbeth – enjoy your trip!
Oliver – thanks for the tip! I'll put it on the calendar for next year.
J, K & E – thanks. 🙂 I hope you make it there this year. It's so much fun I can't wait to go back.
I have a good friend who's living in Oxford. Once the weather gets a bit better (and snowboarding season is done) I'll have to visit him again and check out some more of the city. We just had 1.5 days last time, and there was so much to see… museums, Gherkin, … 🙂
Pub quiz nights. Teams MUST be balanced. The workhorse geeks who answer the bulk of the questions. The current affairs geeks. The literature and history geeks. The science nerds. And the guy who sits there all night and drinks beer, saying nothing, until the one odd question question comes up to which nobody knows the answer, except him.
BTW, roughly 45% of all pub quiz nights will ask you what colour is an arplane's black box. The answer is orange.