Take a day trip into London with me. It’s easy to catch the tube and with the right pair of boots and jacket we can make a day of it.
Off we go
It’s about an hour into London on the Piccadilly line. You can get there faster if you take the express but I wasn’t in any hurry. I have the day ahead of me with no agenda. The train is packed this morning. A fussy baby finally settles down once her mother begins breast feeding. I admire her loving patience. They get off a few stops later, the baby milk drunk.
London Chinatown
Stepping outside onto the bustling sidewalk, there’s a chill in the air. Pulling on my gloves and hat I pause on the sidewalk, glancing around to get oriented to the city. Do you think gophers feel this way popping up from their underground homes?
Vibrant Chinese lanterns immediately catch my attention. I can see them waving to me against the blue sky.
The day is mine to explore. I follow the red balloons, caught in a current of people exploring London’s Chinatown.
It’s fascinating.
Everywhere I look there are Chinese restaurants with poultry hanging in windows. People are unpacking boxes, flowers and setting up for what I can only imagine is the Chinese New Year only days away.
Stepping into a small Chinese supermarket I admire the carefully stocked vegetables in a variety of colors. My nose crinkles catching faint wafts of unfamiliar scents before picking up a few Chinese New Year trinkets. Did you know It’s the year of the earth pig?
Memories of last year in Las Vegas flash by. I must admit I’m happy to put the dog in the rear view mirror. It was a bit of a challenge and I’m happy to welcome the happy, caring pig into the new year.
Get Lost
On the train into London, I was chatting with a guy who asked where I was going. I told him I was going to get lost in the city with no destination in mind. He laughed, commenting that Americans were explorers.
I’ll take that as the highest complement.
Getting lost is a wonderful way to discover unforeseen treasures.
I think about this with a smile as I follow alleys and streets, no destination in mind, letting the city lead me.
Chasing the chill away I pop into a corner cafe to enjoy a coffee and pastry. The afternoon is warming up but is still cool enough to turn my nose red. Leon has a modern and hip vibe with quintessential hipsters, ear buds playing in their ears while eyes glued to screens sip and eat. I enjoy the cafe for a bit before heading out to explore a bit more.
Covent Garden
A few days ago a colleague suggested I go to Covent Garden with shops and restaurants to explore. It sits in a busy shopping and dining district of London.
With time slipping away I break out my GPS, following it towards Covent Garden. It was a bit of a trek back the way I had come, but well worth it.
I followed a street filled with boutiques and restaurants until it spilled wide open to a square. To my amazement I witnessed an almost naked Englishman, sporting nipple tassels and teeny England flag undies, entertaining the crowd. Did I mention it was cold?
Of course I had to watch as he expertly captivated the crowd with his antics. He could be in Vegas. Speaking of which, there is a saying that wherever you go, there you are. It seems as if international cities tend to attract very similar performers all over. Oh yes, he would be right at home in Vegas.
If high end shopping is on your list then Covent Gardens is your go to district. Dior, Tom Ford, Burberry are all in a stones throw of each other. But in the middle of high dollar shops sits a row of artists. And here is where I paused, admiring finespun knits, expertly crafted ceramics and lovely artwork.
I picked up a few small prints to bring home as a gift.
Starbucks moving in
Starbucks is coming to this very exclusive district. As soon as I saw the sign I had to go take a look. Doors were closed as they were busy unpacking boxes, getting sorted. Not that I needed another coffee, but the novelty of seeing my familiar coffee shop so far from home made this American girl a bit happy.
I’m not sure where the day had gone but It was time to slowly make my way back the way I came.
But as I did I discoved the most amazing French tea shop, Mariage Frères. As you know, I’m an avid coffee fan, but tea does hold a small bit of my heart.
Plus I’m a sucker for a captivating window display.
Drawing me inside by the year of the pig tea set in the window, a lovely young French women greeted me at the take away display of pastries and tea. I was mesmerized by the long narrow shop with hundreds of tea on display. I wondered the shop wishing I knew a bit more about the expertly packaged teas and chocolates.
I readily admit I know nothing about tea. But this shop made me desperately wish I did. Their chocolates are infused with tea as well as their pastries making me curious as to the flavors.
Unsure of what to choose I left empty handed except for a card. I may be back next weekend to have afternoon tea. Maybe by then I will have less stars in my eyes.
End of our Saturday adventure
Back at the hotel I settle in with a glass of Shiraz. Flipping through the days photos I’m content on where the day took me.
It was a good day… a very good day for an adventure.
Sending you love and happiness. ❤️
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