(April 26, 2014) I’ve been to London twice before, but it has been a good 12+ years since then. So while I wanted to see some of the key sites, I also wanted to experience the ‘real’ London as an adult. One of my closest friends for the past 20+ years got an awesome new job in London just under two months ago. So the timing seemed perfect to go for a visit and explore some neighborhoods together.
Upon arriving in London from the Luton airport (1 hour bus to Baker Street in the city), Marta was coming to meet me so I stopped for a coffee… at Pret a Manger, where I used to eat breakfast, lunch and/or a coffee every day during the work week. Normally I don’t like to go to chains I can go to in New York, but I was waiting for Marta and really wanted a coffee! The second she walked in, we were chatting like high school girls again, with so much to catch up on – sooo great to see her!
We dropped my stuff off at her flat (an adorable one bedroom in Notting Hil) – after nearly falling flat on my face on the Tube while trying to navigate my luggage and myself... Then the exploring began! We had a delicious brunch at a new restaurant in her neighborhood called Tom's and strolled down Portobello Road where there are many tourists but a few nice restaurants and bars.
Upon arriving in London from the Luton airport (1 hour bus to Baker Street in the city), Marta was coming to meet me so I stopped for a coffee… at Pret a Manger, where I used to eat breakfast, lunch and/or a coffee every day during the work week. Normally I don’t like to go to chains I can go to in New York, but I was waiting for Marta and really wanted a coffee! The second she walked in, we were chatting like high school girls again, with so much to catch up on – sooo great to see her!
We dropped my stuff off at her flat (an adorable one bedroom in Notting Hil) – after nearly falling flat on my face on the Tube while trying to navigate my luggage and myself... Then the exploring began! We had a delicious brunch at a new restaurant in her neighborhood called Tom's and strolled down Portobello Road where there are many tourists but a few nice restaurants and bars.
Portobello Road
Just a cool shot of the building that seemed to be poking the clouds as we walked over the London Bridge
The next few hours are a bit of a whirlwind as we must have walked half of the city! My favorite highlights were Borough Market where we shopped for the freshest food to cook dinner, going out and trying local beers, and strolling through Spitalfields Market for unique gifts and finds (we both ended up with new tops).
Borough Market is one of the most amazing fresh food markets I've ever seen. It is easy to get lost there with so many people running around and so many booths distracting you with their specialties. TIP: The market closes around 5:15PM at which time many booths start heavily discounting their remaining goods. We got half price fresh mozzarella that was delicious!
Borough Market is one of the most amazing fresh food markets I've ever seen. It is easy to get lost there with so many people running around and so many booths distracting you with their specialties. TIP: The market closes around 5:15PM at which time many booths start heavily discounting their remaining goods. We got half price fresh mozzarella that was delicious!
 Mayhem at Borough Market |  The prosciutto man at Borough Market |
Spitalfields Market is a different kind of open-air market where the focus is on clothes, accessories and other miscellaneous gifts. There were some really cool handbags with unique zipper patterns, and a bunch of cute clothing booths, but half the fun was exploring and finding out what was in booth after booth.
 Outside the Sunday Up Market - right next to the Spitalfields market with more great finds! |  Inside the Spitalfields Market |
The George Inn was our secret goldmine - a beer garden tucked behind a busy city street. The George Inn is an actual inn, but the inner courtyard is lined with bars and outdoor seating.
 Famous history of The George Inn |  People chilling in the beer garden courtyard of The George Inn |  Guinness 'extra cold' ?!?! Did I not learn at the Guinness Storehouse yesterday that Guinness MUST be served at one and only temperature? (6 degrees celsius)... hmmm... |
We saw some other random fun things throughout the day...
Bubbles everywhere!
Yes, fire is coming out of his sax!
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