cheers, readers! i had a wonderful whirlwind weekend in london with my friend danielle. we left thursday right after grammar class, and got to our hostel at about 8:30 (20h30, for those of you keeping European time). i am obliged to wax poetic about my hostel. i found generator hostel london in my fodor's essential europe guide book, so i knew it was going to be good. the best way to describe generator was a dorm for grown ups in the 18-35 age range. my friend danielle and i shared a bedroom with two guys and there was a communal bathroom. there was a 24 hr. reception desk, security at night, a laundry room, and a bar. i loved it... a great value, and lots of fun too. glamorous it was not, but compared to my boat hostel in amsterdam, the generator was on another level. our sightseeing began after free breakfast at the hostel (forgot to mention that) with buckingham palace, big ben, the house of parliament, and westminster abbey. i have to confess that it was a little surreal to turn around and see big ben right there behind me. the eiffel tower has a similar effect on me. i guess i like really tall buildings? anyways, after a full day of sightseeing, we went shopping! oh, the shopping. i shall henceforth call the corner with harrods on one side, topshop on the other, and zara on the other, the bermuda triangle of shopping. s.s. hallie got caught! only a little bit, but anyone who knows me well knows that i am liable to get caught in such triangles. harrods was an experience unto itself (i really could write a whole entry about harrods, but i'm not going to). the food hall was like dean deluca (the market one, not the restaurant one) in the city times a million! i love that british department stores (selfridge's had it too) have made fine food an integral part of their stores, a true treat for a gastronomical gal such as myself. other shopping highlights include cath kidston and liberty of london. after a full day, we went back to the generator, changed our clothes, and went out to a pub, marquis cornwallis, for some aspall's cider (yum) and traditional pub food. the next day was a little more laid-back. i met my friend josh who's studying abroad in london and we went to the british museum (see picture of him with the ROSETTA STONE) and for lunch at a pub. then, danielle and i went to see the tower of london and the tower bridge and then were off to the indoor shops at covent garden and had yummy indian food for dinner (my choice). to get back to our hostel, we took a really fun bike taxi. our last day in london was spent mostly at the brick lane market, a suggestion from my friend tate. there were foodseller, clothing stands, and everything you could imagine! a must see if you're in london that isn't covered by the guide books. to top it off, there was a little more shopping and then a flight home. i loved london so much and can't wait to go back someday!
cheers, readers! i had a wonderful whirlwind weekend in london with my friend danielle. we left thursday right after grammar class, and got to our hostel at about 8:30 (20h30, for those of you keeping European time). i am obliged to wax poetic about my hostel. i found generator hostel london in my fodor's essential europe guide book, so i knew it was going to be good. the best way to describe generator was a dorm for grown ups in the 18-35 age range. my friend danielle and i shared a bedroom with two guys and there was a communal bathroom. there was a 24 hr. reception desk, security at night, a laundry room, and a bar. i loved it... a great value, and lots of fun too. glamorous it was not, but compared to my boat hostel in amsterdam, the generator was on another level. our sightseeing began after free breakfast at the hostel (forgot to mention that) with buckingham palace, big ben, the house of parliament, and westminster abbey. i have to confess that it was a little surreal to turn around and see big ben right there behind me. the eiffel tower has a similar effect on me. i guess i like really tall buildings? anyways, after a full day of sightseeing, we went shopping! oh, the shopping. i shall henceforth call the corner with harrods on one side, topshop on the other, and zara on the other, the bermuda triangle of shopping. s.s. hallie got caught! only a little bit, but anyone who knows me well knows that i am liable to get caught in such triangles. harrods was an experience unto itself (i really could write a whole entry about harrods, but i'm not going to). the food hall was like dean deluca (the market one, not the restaurant one) in the city times a million! i love that british department stores (selfridge's had it too) have made fine food an integral part of their stores, a true treat for a gastronomical gal such as myself. other shopping highlights include cath kidston and liberty of london. after a full day, we went back to the generator, changed our clothes, and went out to a pub, marquis cornwallis, for some aspall's cider (yum) and traditional pub food. the next day was a little more laid-back. i met my friend josh who's studying abroad in london and we went to the british museum (see picture of him with the ROSETTA STONE) and for lunch at a pub. then, danielle and i went to see the tower of london and the tower bridge and then were off to the indoor shops at covent garden and had yummy indian food for dinner (my choice). to get back to our hostel, we took a really fun bike taxi. our last day in london was spent mostly at the brick lane market, a suggestion from my friend tate. there were foodseller, clothing stands, and everything you could imagine! a must see if you're in london that isn't covered by the guide books. to top it off, there was a little more shopping and then a flight home. i loved london so much and can't wait to go back someday!
Oh, this makes me so nostalgic for my own study abroad experience in London! I am so pleased that you were able to explore so much of the city -- especially Oxford Street and Regent Street (it really is the Bermuda Triangle of shopping!) :) Glad you enjoyed Britain!! xxx julie
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