Our Fantastic Host!!
Yesterday at the lovely Kim H.'s house, we got together with the now 3rd year ladies who were so kind to come and bequeath to us their London wisdom and answer some of our questions.
The adorable "Tea Tree"
Some MUST SEES:
1. Paul's (at the Tower of London)- a pastry shop
2. Waggamama- I've no idea what this is, but I'm excited. (www.waggamama.com)
3. Pizza Express
4. Scoop- the best gelato- in Covent Garden
5. Shunt- an amazing, performance-art atmosphere-y club under the London Bridge.
6. Performances by the Don Mar.
7. Performances at the National.
8. Anything by Knee High, or at the Barbican.
TIPS:
1. Buy a new hairdryer there.
2. Closest tube stop is Tottenham Ct (this obviously goes for us FSU students)
3. The TKTS of London is at leicester square.
4. Get a disposable phone from Talk Mobile. The closest is at Tottenham Ct.
5. Starbucks=Costa in London.
6. Bring a light coat and a heavier coat. Prepare from cold to 75 degrees.
7. Buy all your toiletries there at Boots.
8. UNDERPACK!
9. Thrift and Market shopping: Portabello Rd, Spittalfields, and Camden.
10. Beyond Retro @ Cheshire St. & Absolute Vintage
I then asked the ladies what their "best kept secret" of their London experience was.
1. Nissa- Leave yourself as much time to experience London. I bought a membership at the Y and spent time working out, and I wish I had just gone out and done stuff. Be ready to put real life aside for a couple of months and just live.
2. Sarah- First- If you buy cheap tickets, chances are they're in a crappy section, but either right before the show starts, or at intermission, you can move to a better seat! Second- On the Stratford upon Avon day trip, stay a night at a B&B, see another show, take the train back the next day.
3. Hannah- Decide before you go what is the most important to you: shopping, theatre, traveling, food. I recommend buying groceries so that you can get the special drinks and desserts that London does best. Also, every theatre's box office opens around 9 or 10 am, go there at least an hour before, wait in line for cheap day-of tickets.
I cannot even tell you how excited I am. I even have the prospect of doing more traveling afterward. I figure, you're only over there once in your life, most likely, why not enjoy it?
It's coming so quickly and our movement teacher said we must prepare ourselves. Mostly, prepare myself to be without my soul mate for 6+ weeks. I think I have to look at London as being an experience to grow and learn and experience-also to make me a bit less afraid of the world. It's gonna be wonderful.
Cheerio!
-L
Oooh! Visiting from Angela Learns to Act! Can I add a few unsolicited tips? (My now-husband lived there for 3 years of us dating, so I took lots of trips over there).
ReplyDeletePizza Express = YES!!!! I dream of someday bringing that franchise over here. Also, pret a mangier... love their sandwiches.
On the Starbucks=Costa... I'm pretty picky about my coffee and when I wanted a good old Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha, Costa did *not* cut it. There are Starbucks all over London, so you have the option.
No mention of museums on your list :( Museums are free (except special exhibits) and they're an absolutely perfect place to just get away from the rest of the world for a bit. The Tate has Millais' "Ophelia"... I could stare at that one for hours. The Portrait Gallery is a great refuge, too, as is the V&A Theatre Museum.
Get a pocket sized A - Z guide. And then let yourself just walk one day... you'll find the most amazing things just wandering around. The days I spent wandering around London are the days I miss most.
Another ticket recommendation: lastminute.co.uk. I found some great deals (sometimes with a meal package) there in the past. They do travel, too, so keep an eye out for good packages for weekends away if you want.
Oh, my favorite pub: The Montagu Pike on Charing Cross Road.
Have Fun!