Well,
Monday rolled around and my very own week in London began. I was actually kind
of excited to have this time entirely to myself. I would see everything I
wanted to, explore every street I hoped and do so at the bliss of my very own
time. It was uniquely my week in London to which I could freely explore food,
museum and curious wonders between.
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| My very own week in London! I was so excited to start exploring. |
On the
top of my list were many of the museums I did not visit on my last few trips to
London. I started off with the National Gallery. I love visiting the art from
the early fourteenth century up until the twentieth century. There is such a
deep story in this time period. I learn not only about the painting but the
history behind it. More often than not, these paintings reveal creative
expression that might counteract the traditional mindset of the period. These
tend to a lot of the time be political point of views. Since I am a political
science major, I really enjoyed this aspect as a chance to understand politics
in an artistic setting. It is also the fascination for the shear beauty of the paintings.
Details, colors and texture told a very unique and deeply bound store to which
I attempted to unfold of my tour of the museum. I began to recognize not only
political movements, but also classical myths within the art. One of my
favorite collections was by a Norwegian artist who painted black and white
landscape sketches. His depictions of the waves crashing in the deep ocean and
the Northern lights were so vivid and realistic despite the use of color. I was
mesmerized by the textured drama he conveyed.
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| Buckingham Palace! I love how my daily walks passed by such a royal masterpiece. |
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| Colorful flower painting at The National Gallery. I stared at this painting mesmerized by its bright beauty. |
The
following day I also visited the Van Gogh part of this museum and other artists
of the nineteenth century. Having had a chance to visit the Van Gogh museum in
Amsterdam, I was prepared and rather excited to develop what I had learned
weeks before. It's really something wonderful to apply what you have learned in
past times to a new setting. Out of this, I do not think I will stop exploring
art and other sorts of expeditions. The National Gallery houses so many
important works to which I decided to see as much of it as I could. Over the
course of two days, I toured through the museum halls pursuing the thought
arising from every artistic corner.
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| Van Gogh Flower Pot Painting at The National Gallery. The museum had such a wonderful display of Van Gogh's work and other artist of the time. |
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| Lego Santa and Sleigh in Covent Garden. I love how all everywhere in London celebrated their own little bit of Christmas Cheer. |
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| A very festive Oxford Street. |
I spent
the rest of the day having lunch with my sister and visiting some of my
favorite spots in London. Of course, this included some very necessary retail
therapy... but when in London? Christmas shopping? One of those sayings might
due, or if I'm lucky hopefully both! It really is the most wonderful time of
the year, though, and London's street decorations are in no shortage. I love
how Piccadilly sign reads "Merry Christmas" and each street cascades
off into its own renditions of Christmas Lights. I followed the dazzling
sparkles down Regent Street and enjoyed a stroll into some of my favorite
stores. A beautiful day, to which I could not think of any better end than a
little Netflix relaxation and some Whole Foods- two of my guilty pleasures I
was sure to indulge in over my little break in London. It was a full day to
which I passed in the comforts of sweet dreams.
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A very dazzling Harrods! The inside
shared just as much holiday flair. |
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Peanut butter filled chocolates
for Harrods! Delish! |
The next visits included a frequented foodie favorite. Lauren and I met up after class and headed to Borough Market with her friend. This was Lauren's first visit to Borough Market and I could see her excitement to its deliciously and addicting gastronomical virtues. I experience the same wonder each and every trip back. Grace was in similar awe. It was nice to see the market during the week, for while it was not fully stocked with vendors, it was definitely not a busy and easier to manage after a long week of classes for Lauren and tours for me. Nonetheless, we walked through the stalls tasting various cheeses, breads and olive oil and of course never to forsake chocolate. We settled on some delicious bites and enjoyed a rather chilly but scrumptious meal in East London.
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| Fresh cooking at Borough Market. So many fresh and distinct flavors steamed out of the pans and to my foodie palate. |
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| Picasso art at the Tate Modern. |
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| Dali art at the Tate Modern. |
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Bright blue and unique sculptures at the
Tate Modern. |
Afterwards, Lauren
headed back to study and I made my way to the nearby Tate Modern. I had been
hoping to visit this museum for quite some time and was excited at the fact
that I finally had the chance to do so. This was also a very special excursion,
because it was different from the museums I had been visiting these past few
months in Europe. Most of the exhibits I had seen reflected historical art
dating centuries back, but this visit would be one of my firsts modern art
expeditions abroad. I saw some of my favorite pieces I was hoping to see
including Picasso and Dali. In various textures and effervescent color,
structures encapsulated corners of the room. I pondered upwards in amazement. Photographs
aligned the room and spattered paintings wall papered rooms. Even video and
industrial structures were on display. I was encapsulated by how many different
types of art forms the museum had. Each shared a different perspective of art
and used the practice in a very specialized way. While it may be an entirely
different form of art, it shared the passion with all the historical art, to
represent an aspect of society, and more often than not a political message. I
explored the art that captured my mind hoping to find its true meaning and
possibly an element distinct to my own. It was late afternoon and I felt as if
my brain was going to explode in color. The art pressed me to seek beyond contours
and lines.
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| Mirror art at the Tate Modern. The museum had a collection of very intriguing pieces of art. |
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| Colorful and large art at the Tate Modern. I love the creativity and free style in this piece of art. |
Well,
full on yet another day of art and exploration, I knew the perfect remedy. I
scurried home for quick nap and off to Whole Foods. In a warm meal I was
reminded of home and indulged in every decadent veggie bite. Soft yums. The evening
fell and it was time for bed. Lauren and I caught up on our time since lunch
and both exhausted fell swiftly into sleep.
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| A very dazzling London at night. I love all the bright signs and lights streaming from Piccadilly Circus and into the cascading streets. |
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Photography on the Middle East
at the Queen's Gallery. |
I spent
my last few days in London seeing a few more of my top destinations and
enjoying some time with my sister. In the morning I went to visit the Queen's
Gallery by Buckingham Palace. I really enjoyed this museum both because of its
manageable size and also for the contents within. The exhibits included
photography of Prince’s journey to the Middle East and Gold. I really enjoy
photography and exploring each captured image along the journey through the
Middle East. In the Gold exhibition I learned about how the Gold was applied to
art and its usage in everything from Coronation ceremonies to its religious
significance. I left the museum with quite a dazzling perspective on two very
different subjects that nonetheless play a role in the life of British royalty.
I made my way home mid-morning enjoying Buckingham Palace and the surrounding
parks. It could not have been more of a picturesque day in London As I walked
home I was greeted by the changing of the guards ceremony. I listened to the
classic tunes as the band marched along and the ceremony progressed. Onwards I
went to Holborn.
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| The Gold Exhibit at the Queen's Gallery. The detailing in the art was spectacular. |
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| I was pleasantly surprised by the Changing of the Guards on my walk home from the Queen's Gallery. |
Lauren
and I decided to meet up and get our nails done which was quite a lovely
experience. We shared the afternoon catching up on our day and planning for the
soon to be holiday break at home. Afterwards, Lauren's friend joined us for
lunch. After a delicious bite in Covent Garden we parted ways once again and I
made my way to my next stop. Of course, since its the Holiday Season, it was
necessary, rather my merry duty to do a little Christmas shopping in London.
Christmas lights streamed through the streets and decorated the falling night
sky with a bit of yuletide cheer. After some tireless hours in the stores I
made my way swiftly to the chocolate shop and back to Lauren's spot. We then
met up for dinner and our daily catch up.
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A very festive Covent Garden
with suspended Christmas ornaments. |
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Merry Christmas from London! I love
how all the streets have festive decorations. |
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Ben's Cookies in Covent
Garden. Yum! |
For the
past couple of months I have been telling Lauren about this wonderful
restaurant that is not too far away. Tonight, we decided to try the restaurant.
We walked to Heddon Street, which is also known as the Food Quarter. A
courtyard is warmed by the mixing of so many flavorfully distinct foods
lingering in this hidden foodie gem. It was long awaited, but we ate at one of
my favorite spots called Tibits. This is
a vegetarian restaurant where you serve yourself so many wonderful and freshly
prepared dishes and then pay by weight. It’s the perfect combination of a
relaxed sit down meal but the luxury of a night out in London. Seasonal
delights warm the booths from pumpkin curry to courgette cous cous. Some
carrots and kale later, we made our way to desert. We tried a bit of everything
from sticky cinnamon pudding and tiramisu to berry muesli. The deliciousness
was just enough to cure my evening sweet tooth. Her friend, who also studied at
UMiami joined us for dinner. We shared some of our favorite restaurants both in
Miami and London. We made our way back to Lauren's in a state of veggie
euphoria. Overwhelmed with a need for sleep, we soon fell fast to bed.
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| Holiday cheer streamed through the streets on our walks through London. I love the snowflake lights! |
Thursday
morning came around and it was time for me to pack up my things and head back
up to Edinburgh. Lauren was swiftly awake prepping for the academically dense
day ahead and I gathered my belongings together. We said our goodbyes to a
wonderful Thanksgiving and rather entire week together. In two short weeks we
would be together again back in Boston for another holiday. Hopefully we would
spend time conquering another city together, one that is home to the both of
us. I am so fortunate to have someone here abroad in the UK with me and for
that someone to be my endlessly loving sister. She keeps me grounded when I
flutter into fantasy, yet inspires me to never stop dreaming. I see her hard
work and all that is paid off and know that with her support I can do the same.
I will miss London very much, but am so fortunate to spend an entire week here.
I am confident for how much I accomplished this week and leave London
with a broadened mindset. The sites I saw, both new and revisited, help me
develop a better understanding of myself and the world around me.
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| Lauren and I at the East India Company in London for Thanksgiving Dinner. Thank you for a wonderful week my lovely sister! |
I feel an
insatiable hunger to never stop exploring. My realms of curiosity are always
spinning. I graced with pleasure of spending a semester in Edinburgh and a
summer in London. It is an abroad student's UK dream. I know I will be back to
both. Each visit will be accompanied by the wondrous awes for cities of beauty
and a chance to delve deeper into it. Back up to Edinburgh I go by train and I
could not be more excited. A week away seems so long to me, especially when it’s
in a city I love so much. In the short two weeks I have left in Edinburgh I hope
to visit everything I have planned to. I want to see the National Museum,
Rosylnn Chapel and stroll through Christmas market. Within this list is a spot
for the adventures I cannot foresee in my future. These are everything from daylong
travels to afternoon strolls through the Meadows. I will eat at all my favorite
coffee shops and stop by my favorite stores to soak in all the happiness I have
experienced these past few months in Edinburgh. It is a combination of constant
exploration and savoring all that I have already loved. This state of being I
hope to take with me to everywhere I live and travel. The holiday season is
underway and Edinburgh is decorated in Christmas jolly and joy. For in
December, I share my memories here and a festive adventure to come.
