This article goes out to America. My friends, family members, co-workers and strangers who have listened to me rave about my new home. Maybe now you can understand how perfect London really is.
1. It’s the NYC of Europe.
London has McDonalds, Subway, KFC, Chipotle, Starbucks and more. I am not one to eat fast food, but when you’re abroad and miss American food, McDonalds certainly hits the spot. Don’t get me wrong: Spanish Tapas, French croissants and Italian pizza are amazing and everything I ate whilst abroad was delicious, but sometimes a cafe con leech or espresso doesn’t hit the spot like an Iced vanilla latte from Starbucks does.
2. It is one of (if not the) biggest city in the world.
The great Samuel Jackson once said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
3. It has more markets than any city I’ve ever gone to.
Brick Lane, Borough Market, Camden, Columbia Flower Market, Greenwich Market, Spitafields Market, Portobello Market, and the list keeps going.
4. Camden Market.
My favorite place in the world. Camden has it all. Food, clothing, shoes, wall tapestries, and you might even spot some celebrities. Camden is known for its international food market that goes on every Sunday. This will change your Sunday let alone your life. It is the most overwhelming market I’ve gone to, but the best one by far.
The amount of food there is insane and as you walk around you can get a sample of all the different types of food. The Italian sandwich stand was my favorite (insert hearts for eyes emoji here) and after eating that I’d recommend walking and shopping before hitting the food market again to get a churro or chocolate covered fruit. The stands are typically next to each other.
It’s my favorite market, and possibly my favorite thing about London.
5. Harry Potter World.
Need I say more? Harry Potter World in London has it ALL. Scenes from the movies were tapped there, the original props are all in this HP world. I went 2 times, and spent hours there and there was still more to see.
Oh, and did I mention there is also Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross station.
6. The coolest map you’ll ever see, The Tube Map.
You think I’m kidding when I say I’m obsessed with the Tube map, but I’m not (shoutout to my abroad friends) It’s the easiest and coolest map I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I have shirts, sweatshirts, boxers all with the tube map on it. I even got The Tube Map painted onto my Superegas (thanks to Superega at Camden)
7. Cabs are exactly what they look like in movies.
They’re black and have a big open backseat so they can fit 5 people in the back and 1 in the front. No need for a van for parties of more than 4. Also the cab drivers are really nice and were interested in hearing about NYC and telling me all about London. It felt like a movie scene every time I rode in one.
8. Everyone and everything are nice.
The stereotype of English people being mean is wrong. Maybe it's because I’m a New Yorker, and I understand the “I have a place to be so everyone out of my way” but everyone I met was so nice and helpful. I’ll never forget getting lost my first time on a bus and everyone was so nice and helped me find my way, which was about an hour in the other direction.
9. Public transportation is so clean.
I don’t know how they do it because there are barely any garbage cans, but coming from New York, I was shocked to see how nice the busses, under and overground trains, cabs and streets were.
10. The circle line exists.
The circle line is on the tube (the underground) and it's all open, you can see from the front of the train all the way to the back because there are no doors separating the train cars.
11. You can walk out of the Westminster Tube station and see some of the most famous and gorgeous sights.
I’ll never forget walking up the stairs of Westminster Tube station, greeted by Big Ben in front of me, The London Eye to my left and Westminster Abbey to my right. There is truly nothing like it.
12. The Queen lives London.
Enough said.
13. Harrods.
Not going to lie this store is quite overwhelming but the best department store I’ve ever been in.
P.S.— There's a Godiva cafe in it I recommend going there it's pricey, but delicious.
14. Parent Trap was taped here.
Aside from it being my favorite movie, Annie’s house is in such a posh area of London, and is about a 10-minute walk from Harrods.
15. You can hop on a bus and go anywhere in England for a few pounds.
My friends and I always took Megabus all over England, and the more advance you book, the cheaper it is. We took buses to Manchester, Bath, Bristol, Brighton, etc., and some of our trips cost 7 pounds ($12) roundtrip!
16. English accents are sexy.
Yes, the Italians, the French and Europeans in general, have amazing accents, but having no language barrier and hearing that English accent is amazing. There is something about a British person swearing that is really attractive. They sound classy, edgy and sexy all at the same time.
17. The drinking age is 18.
I was not 21 at the time but I was able to drink legally! Oh and there was a bar on my university campus, does it get any better!
18. Pubs, Pubs and more Pubs.
They are fun, cool and relaxing to be in. Everyone around you is there for the same reason to eat some food and drink a cider or a pint!
19. America would not be here today if it was not for England.
Think back to history class, America came from England, we broke away but we maintained so many traditions from the English and it is so cool to go and see the history of where America came from before it was America.
20. It's perfect.
England has a piece of my heart, it was beautiful, historical, educational and more. I stepped out of my comfort zone in more ways than I could imagine and I fell in love with the people, the city, the stores, the sights and the place in general. I am counting down the days until I can book my flight back there and visit my second home.
