Let's Talk About London

            If someone were to ask me to describe London, England in only one word, it would be nearly impossible-and I suppose that's one of the things I love most about it. When most people think of London, they think of an over-crowded, expensive city that isn't known for having the best food (have they not even been to Nando's?!); but when I think of London, I think of a beautiful, busy, historic and stylish city that is also...strangely peaceful. See? Hard to pick one word, because there are so many different sides to it. As I spent more and more time there, I learned my way around, met new people, tried new things, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

           First, let's talk about the food. I see where people are coming from when they say that London isn't known for its food; however, that doesn't mean that all the food is terrible. Because it's so diverse, you can pretty much find any kind of food you're in the mood for, whether it be Indian, Mexican, American, Lebanese, Irish, Pakistani...you name it. Though I'll also admit that the standard English cuisine is not my favorite (Hog's pudding? Hmmm.) Of course, that excludes Nando's--a great place to go if you love chicken, but also vegetarian-friendly!

            While the food has received mixed reviews, something that doesn't deserve any complaint is London's parks and gardens...AKA its more 'peaceful' side, if you find the right spot. In fact, one of my favorite places in the entire city happens to be Richmond park, located exactly 30 seconds from my university. Its wide open spaces, amazing scenery and large deer population are a nice change from the slightly more crowded and touristy Central London, and it's a great place to spend time when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed (if you go on a day that isn't cloudy or rainy, even better!) Other alternatives closer to Central include Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath, especially if you love a good view.

              Speaking of Central...even if you aren't crazy about being surrounded by large amounts of people, you simply can't get the most out of a trip to London without doing and seeing things through the eyes of a tourist (they're called “attractions” for a reason!) Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, and the London Eye include some of the main things that should be checked off of the official 'London Bucket List.' Even though I've completed two years of university here, I still act as a tourist on occasion, because it takes me back to the excitement of the first time I visited London.

          While I could go on and on about all the different amazing aspects of this city, I'll leave you with a few photos I've taken throughout my time there, so you can see for yourself if you have yet to see it in person. Thanks for reading!