Lost in London

“There’s nothing to do in London alone!” Bullshit. I had half a day and aching feet, damn be the idea of only wearing high heels for a weekend. I still had presents to buy and luckily the tourists had gone home and the Londoners were at work or school. I had Primark, HMV, WH Smith, and the cute store at the corner to myself. At least for like… one hour of the day. Then, when eventually walking into Starbucks it was overcrowded. Still a place to sit down and write though. I would forever be the travelling author – haha.

      I ended my stay in London by the Round Pond in Kensington gardens feeding the ducks, swans, doves and screaming, crazy seagulls. In the end walking down good ol’ Kensington High Street, looking for the tube station we had used all summer.

    Only problem of the day – I got lost 3 times riding the tube. YAY! In the end I finally got back to my hotel to repack my suitcase. And while the receptionist watched me sit and more or less jump on it to make it close, I said goodbye to Pimlico and then made my way to the bus and Stansted Airport for my very cheap flight and one last cup of Starbucks.

-Mari Clementine



Winter Wonderland - London

“This is insane!” Lina yelled, there was no other way to hear her over the thousands of people that were out shopping or drinking in Londons very own Winter Wonderland, located in Hyde Park. There were merry-go-rounds, rollercoasters, ice sculptures, a Christmas Market, an ice-rink, gingerbread… The list is endless. The lights were beautiful. “I can’t believe I have to go home tonight!” she continued.

    Earlier that day we had been running around town, catching one of the famous red double-deckers from Victoria to Trafalgar Square to take a look at the Norwegian Christmas tree. We then ended up visiting the National Gallery, for free, at 10 am wandering the echoing halls, seeing great paintings of the last centuries. We even saw Van Gogh and Manet! What a wonderful morning. The day was continued with Christmas shopping in Regent and Oxford Street and in the evening, when of course or plan A restaurant was closed – again – we ended up in a lovely pub behind Victoria Train Station called St. George’s Tavern.

     “I’ll pay!” Lina said.
“No, I’ll pay! You paid yesterday. You can order.” And so she did. Scottish fish for herself and Fish and Chips for me. We were the only ones there, but the atmosphere was cozy and the food delicious. Every piece of fish was a tasteful experience of its own. “Here’s some ketchup and mayo!” The cute waitress appeared out of nowhere. “And here’s some beer for you, on the house. Because it goes perfectly with fish and chips.” I thanked her, she was right and then we went one last place together, the Winter Wonderland.

-Mari Clementine