A Few Lovely Days in London

The clouds were thick overhead and a cool wind was blowing. Suddenly the overcast sky parted and the sun shone through in its golden brilliance, casting a warm light on the airport below.

"What is that? ", an airport worker asked in bewilderment, as she stared up at the yellow light. Her tone almost sounded condemning, as she gave the sky a scornful glance. Evidently, she was quite bitter about the lack of sunlight in this city.

This was my first glimpse of London, as I walked out of the Luton airport and searched for a bus to take me into the big city. People had told me that the city would be gloomy and damp, and I wondered if the weather would cast a downer on my mood during my visit there. I was sure to be surprised.

As I passed green fields and our large bus wound through the narrow streets of the London suburbs, I started to get excited about my long weekend in London. My friend was studying through the Erasmus program at University College of London (UCL), and I had been able to take 2 extra days off of work in order to have a 4-day weekend for a visit. A great short trip was to be had!

Between this original short trip to London in the fall, and a few days spent in the same city the following summer, I learned quickly why so many people "ooh" and "ahh" about London. It is a wonderfully diverse city that houses so much history, culture, and beauty. There are several things that I did during these two short trips that I would recommend to anyone visiting the city, either for the first time or for a return trip. Here are my highlights and recommendations for seeing this cloudy but energetic place!

1. Visit as many free museums as possible. London is a very expensive city, especially where food is concerned. Save your budget by working free museums into your daily plans. The first museum I visited was a small one, but housed some immense pieces: The British Library. I almost cried as I stood across the glass from masterpieces such as original manuscripts of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Charles Dickens. I have loved reading classics by these authors over the years, and their lives are fascinating to me. To see how they each wrote differently, and how they marked out and edited their own works was mesmerizing. Another favorite free museum I visited was the Science Museum, which is located near Hyde Park. The exhibits were amazing for a science geek like me.
2. Go see the grand palace and gardens at Hampton Court Palace. During my summer visit, I had a museum pass that allowed me to see several different palaces. For a day trip, I took the train out to Hampton Court Palace and spent the day going through the vast palace halls, museum exhibits, and touring the gardens. I greatly recommend going on a garden tour if there is one available during your visit. This really helped me appreciate the restoration projects, and which eras the different gardens were being restored to. This palace was a full-day event, so give yourself time to see it all. There is a Pizza Express in the town outside of the palace, and a lovely cafe inside the palace where you can have high tea, so no worries about finding dining options during your day trip.
3. Visit Nando's. We don't have many Nando's in the USA, so eating at this delicious restaurant while in London was a highlight of my trip. Their super grain salad was delicious!
4. Take some time to wander the streets and walk across the beautiful Tower Bridge, with its blue colors that brighten up the somewhat-cloudy surroundings. London has some wonderful bridges that cross the Thames River, and the skyline is gorgeous. I loved taking the double decker buses as well as a cheap way to explore the many streets.
5. If you have some extra cash and a free evening, check out the Globe Theater. Built on the original location of Shakespeare's historic and timeless stage, the Globe has great productions and a unique setting. Make sure to purchase tickets way in advance, and if you don't mind getting wet and standing for a long period of time, take a Groundling ticket and experience the performance from the crowded area in front of the stage. I saw A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe during my summer short trip, and it was magnificent. This performance was unique and had a Bollywood-vibe, which was a great incorporation of the Indian culture in London.

London is culturally-diverse with residents from all over the world. Yet somehow, it retains its own unique culture as a result of its diverse residents, its long history, and its current significance in the world as a center of political decisions. Even though I have made 2 short trips to this city already, I plan to make many more. Let me know which of the above recommendations you put into action on your next trip, and comment below with your favorite parts of the city!

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