London Baby!

To all of my beloved, devoted readers - yes I am talking to you mum and whoever else you convince to read my amateur travel blog - I have returned to the blogosphere after an extended temporary laziness hiatus. I have no real excuse for not keeping everybody up to date with my latest adventures, I'm really just a lazy shit. Yes I have been very busy out and about in London (a city for which I cannot express my adoration) but I am certain that Tina Fey is much busier, yet she still finds time to contribute comedically to a variety of projects. Seeing as I am actually unemployed (or 'funemployed' as I much prefer to describe it to those who question my [albeit questionable] life choices), and I actually wish to be a professional writer some day I think it is due time I picked up my game. As I type this post on my trusty iPad I am sitting on a makeshift couch (two dodgy mattresses assembled against each other), sipping a frozen berry daiquiri straight from the bag and waiting for my friend's German housemate to shower so we can watch Vampire Diaries together - clearly living the London high life. The point that I am trying to make here with my lukewarm sense of humour is that my evening hours are not really otherwise occupied. Evidently you can take an anti-social, television devout gal out of the confines of her dimly lit bedroom with its wall-mounted television and endless supply of DVDs but you can't take the anti-social, television devout characteristics out of a gal; even when she is in bloomin' London.

My favourite London Bus so far.

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Thus far I have actually seen quite a lot of London, partially due to my curiosity and partially due to me getting lost whilst on foot, usually searching for a Starbucks so I can grab my grande skinny coffee frappuccino. I should have been born American. Inevitably, getting lost generally results in one unintentionally stumbling across some pretty rad places. Already I have explored Westminster, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, South Bank and Hackney to name just a few. I have also spotted a number of Monopoly Map locations (which one of my friend's housemates has actually marked out on a map of London, what a genius) including Fleet Street, Pall Mall, Bond Street and Oxford Street. Soho is a favourite of mine; the streets are lined with incredible multi-storey vintage shops, selling actual designer threads at affordable prices. I have seen the likes of Chanel, Moschino, Dolce and Gabbana, Valentino and Jimmy Choo; all spanning various eras and trends in the one shop. Soho is also the health conscious foodie's dream come true. Come lunch hour Soho's eclectic little lanes are jam packed with British yuppies investing in the latest trend in over-priced super-food. Vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, or whatever the hell the self-proclaimed Instagram health and fitness experts are calling themselves these days would truly have a health-hashtag-gasm at the delectable choices on offer. I personally am non of the above, as whilst I am an avid foodie and am concerned about my personal health and fitness I can not lie to you all: I love to destroy a juicy medium rare steak, and I can't think of a greater breakfast than one that involves eggs and cheese. However I am more than willing to sample absolutely anything, having already devoured some vegetarian falafel (divine) and am eyeing of a little restaurant called 'Hummus Bro'. Yet another piece of irrelevant information for you: I have a really strange affinity for chickpeas and therefore anything chickpea related. Just the thought of hummus brings me to my happy place; that happy place being a gourmet buffet where I get to where trackie dacks, watch Friends/Will & Grace/ 30 Rock/Parks and Recreation all day, every day and have perfect hair.

Some falafel that I ate. I know the picture is not fabulous but I think that in this case the crapper it looks the better it tastes. 

A delectable salad box I had from a place called 'Beatroot' in Soho. Despite the price (healthy people seem to always be rich) I will certainly eat from there again. 

Another place which I found to be rather thrilling was Leicester Square, somewhere I first discovered as it was getting dark one evening. That place really embodies the 'big city/bright lights' perception of London that I had prior to my arrival. Everywhere I turned there was an enormous sign advertising a plethora of performances and musicals which are currently in town, all of which I wish I was able to see. Off the top of my head I know that Matilda is currently showing, as well as 1984, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Thriller, Billy Elliot and The Lion King. I was also devastated to find out that Chelsea Handler will be in town just days after I jet off to Copenhagen. Aside from the fact that my inner gay teenage boy is filled with exuberance regarding the endless variety of stage shows that London has to offer, my inner fat Monica nearly had an aneurism when she happened to stumble across MnM world, which is exactly as it sounds, only one thousand times better. You may have seen the photos on tumblr (don't lie, we all have all reblogged it at one point in time) of walls covered in MnMs in colours and options beyond your wildest dreams. For some reason though that evening I had decided that I was putting myself on one of my 'health kicks' and hence did not buy one thing from any of the tempting four stories. Mind that this is coming from the girl who is currently eating some Ben and Jerry's 'Half Baked' icecream mixed with salty and sweet popcorn... Can anyone say fitspo? It was on sale at Tesco for £2.24, what was a girl to do? Leave it there? Absurd! Never fear though folks, MnM world and I shall meet again.

"Mama's home."

Being the typical tourist/history aficionado that I am (or claim to be) I have visited several of London's world famous calling cards including: Buckingham Palace (well I stood outside) St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and The Tower of London. Perhaps I am too young (I hate to use my own age against myself) or have not yet had the chance to really realise that I am where I am when visiting such locations because I feel like I should be filled with some kind of enlightening feeling but mostly I just feel hungry. I had to remind myself that Princess Diana (whom I hold in the highest regard, a truly remarkable and virtuous lady who I can only wish to emulate) was married at St Paul's and buried and Westminster Abbey. All reigning members of the British Monarchy are crowned at Westminster Abbey, whilst Will and Kate were recently married there and I have had the privilege of walking such hallowed ground. It sounds so cliche but really the only word to describe such a sensation is 'surreal'; completely and absolutely surreal. 

Due to the holiness of both St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey it is requested of visitors to not take photographs... But I am a rule breaker and did manage to score a few sneaky snaps, even though only one from Westminster Abbey was half decent. I really did have to cease my insistent snapping though when an elderly volunteer came sprinting across the hall, frantically demanding that I put my camera away at once. It is times like these that I wish I was Thomas Foster so that I could pull the 'I don't speak English' card. Alas, everybody will have to endeavour to visit the Abbey for themselves in their lifetime. It really was just exquisite. The architecture of the Abbey (and also Parliament Square, which is it is adjacent to) is just mesmerising, hence the global recognition. Although Westminster Abbey is extremely sacrosanct, I felt an overwhelming sense of the power and pride of the British Monarchy rather than the presence of The Lord. The history of the Abbey spans over one thousand years, with Benedictine monks arriving at the site in the middle of the tenth century. The present church was built in 1245 by Henry III, and still serves it's religious purpose for Londoners today. Westminster Abbey houses some of the world's most impressive paintings, priceless artefacts, pavements, textiles and stained glass, with at least an example of one everywhere that the eye can see. The Abbey also separates into several smaller chapels, each built by and devoted to various members of British royalty, too many to list with far too many grisly tales of tragedy and treachery to comprehend. I certainly would like to spend some time learning more about the history of the building itself and the fascinating people associated.

The inside of Westminster Abbey.

Parliament Square and Big Ben shown when walking across The River Thames. 

Despite me considering myself to be largely agnostic it would be naive of me to wholly dismiss the possibility and legitimacy of the Christian faith after being inside of St Paul's Cathedral. I was raised by very openminded parents and grandparents, and though I was baptised and attended a private Lutheran school I never have been told what to believe in, nor to believe anything without a shadow of a doubt. I have always been encouraged to think freely and consider all possibilities, and whilst I do think I abide by the guidelines of Christianity I do not yet know if I believe in The Lord and his omnipotence. In saying that I am very curious about people and the world in general and am at a point in life where I am striving to learn as much as I possibly can about humankind: past, present and future. Of course it goes without saying that Christianity has shaped human history like no other creed - explaining my keen interest to visit the Cathedral, built entirely in reverence to God. 

There has actually been a church at the site since the 6th century, though the current structure is believed to be the fourth or fifth, others having been destroyed by over-zealous royalty and fire. I was left speechless by the ornate stained glass windows, decadent mosaics, magnificent ceiling paintings, divine marble flooring, twinkling chandeliers, golden tapestry, countless religious inscriptions and formidable statues. Though the whole experience felt very Da Vinci Code-esque, especially when I climbed three sets of stairs (528 in total - 85 metres above ground) - the final set being steep, spiral steps made of corrugated iron, it really made it clear how to many the transcendence of God is unquestionable.

St Paul's Cathedral from the front.

Part of the roof. Sadly my photos from the inside are limited - you're not supposed to take them!

London from above.

The dome structure makes St Paul's instantly recognisable. 

If you have made it this far into the post I am going to reward you with some pictures of me being an awkward turtle at Abbey Road earlier this evening. I decided that because I had some time to kill I may as well jump on the Underground and take a few quick snaps of the World's most recognisable zebra crossing, which is literally just a zebra crossing found in St John's Wood in London's outskirts. It was quite comical to watch tourists darting across the road, most mimicking The Beatle's side on stride, to have their picture taken whilst locals in cars had to stop, shaking their heads in frustration and impatience at these idiot tourists. 

What do I do? Stand here? Smile? Be an awkward turtle?

Action shot.