day four: shopping, shopping everywhere, but not a dress for jenn

Even though Kate thought it was funny, I was really looking forward to going to London to do some clothes shopping. REALLY! We actually did some quick shopping my first day in town, but I only bought a backup brolly, so that doesn't really count as shopping in my book. I decided that a trip down Regent Street was in order, and something that I had to experience once in my life. Since I was on my own and the historical touristy stuff could be put off for one day, I jumped on the Tube (no tripping this time) and headed for the shops.

After getting off at Piccadilly Circus, I started down Regent Street, looking for Carnaby Street. After dodging tons of pedestrians (honestly, why do people walk so slow in London?!! MOVE. IT!!) I finally made it to Beak Street, where I came across this strapping English lad:

Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green off Beak and Carnaby Streets in London

More Liam...because one is not enough

True story: Oasis was actually playing on my iPhone when I came across Liam's image at Pretty Green. I didn't load any Who on my iPhone before leaving home, so I couldn't make it a completely Mod experience, but I did have overly big sunglasses and boots on when I walked down Carnaby, so, it will have to do.

Carnaby Street dead ends onto Great Marlborough Street, which is where the famed Liberty of London shop is. I just had to duck into this English institution, as I am a big fan of their florals and scarves. I had decided before I left home that I was going to splurge on one item on this trip, to remind me of my first trip and I figured that a Liberty scarf would be perfect, but I couldn't quite decide on one scarf once I walked into those hallowed walls. Truth be told, it was such a treat just to be in the store. The floors creaked as I walked around, I rode a very small, very old elevator and looked at so many exquisite pieces.  It was a heady blend of tradition and fashion.

The venerable Liberty of London store in London

After leaving Liberty of London empty handed, I continued down Regent, and ducked into H&M. There were several pieces that I actually liked in the store, but their campaigns are the same as back home, so I didn't want to potentially buy something that I could actually get cheaper at home. The first floor was full of pieces I'd gladly place in my wardrobe: clean cotton and linen tops, flirty skirts, fitted jackets, fantastically heeled shoes, headbands, bangles, scarves, even a straw hat that looked quite good on my small head! The upper floor was something different altogether. Clothes that I wore back in the 8th grade were up there, and, quite honestly, I didn't want to revisit much of it. If what I saw up there was any indication of what will be stateside soon, then I'm scared.

Rush hour on Regent Street

After running scared from H&M (kidding), I ran across the street to Topshop. I spent about two hours in this place, WILLING myself to buy something. There were about three different graphic tees that I picked up and considered buying, but ended up putting them down, because the cut wasn't quite right. I looked at a bunch of flouncy floral shirts, striped knit tops, tanks, jeans, even a vintage cocktail dress just for the hell of it, and I couldn't find something worth taking home. Can you imagine the frustration I felt? All those clothes (I've heard lots about Topshop...even been to the store in NYC) and STILL couldn't buy something! WTF?!! I did buy two scarves: a green floral and a rust colored asian-inspired number with birds on it. I've since checked out the Topshop UK store online and, of course, I LOVE tons of stuff on the site. My timing must have been off, because, really, if the only thing that I can buy at a store is a couple of scarves, something is seriously wrong. Sidenote: I had a very interesting convo with the guy who was ringing me up about his reservations about moving to the US because of our stance of national healthcare. Impressive!

a tale of two scarves

So, my trip to the famed Regent Street wasn't as successful as I thought it was going to be, but I really do love the scarves that I bought. I've been wearing the green one around quite a bit and have received quite a few compliments on it. I gotta admit that I LOVE saying, "oh, I bought this in London." That makes my frustrated trip worth it!!

Tomorrow: I explore the Tower of London!

day three: a park, a palace and a flatmate

Since Kate had to leave for Geneva this morning, it was up to me to officially begin my Jennivanting in earnest. Since I didn't sign up for 3G service on my iPhone before I left the states (and in the true spirit of Jennivanting), I just sort of wandered about in Kensington for an afternoon. I walked up Gloucester Road until I hit the edge of Hyde Park. It was a gorgeous day out, so all kinds of Londoners were out enjoying the sun.

I knew that Kensington Palace was around here somewhere (again, no map), and being the Princess Diana fan that I am, I knew that making some kind of trip to her former home was going to be on the list of things I did while in London. I was walking up one of the many paths in Hyde Park, enjoying the sites around me, when I saw it. Jackpot! The unmistakable red brick of Kensington Palace. I was so excited about being so close to my first palace, but I couldn't actually call anyone because of the time difference in the states. Boo! You have to pay to get into the Palace, and it was getting late in the afternoon, so I opted to just explore the free areas of the grounds. It was quite peaceful as I walked around. There were a few kids running around in manicured lawns. Some mothers were pushing prams about. I walked to the edge of the property, snapping pics of fountains, gardens, bits of the building and eventually, the gilded gates of the Palace. I had to wait for the crowds to dissipate a bit before I could snap a clean pic of the gates, but it was worth it.

I had to get back to the hotel and get ready for dinner, because my friend Michelle put me in contact with her former flatmate, Bel, to make sure I didn't get too lonely while I was kicking around London. I met up with Bel and her friends at the Westbourne in Notting Hill. I had my first Pimms Cup of the season (yum!) and chatted with an Aussie who championed Melbourne, an American who decided to be British as well and an Italian doctor who wanted me to help him figure out what Californian city he should try practicing in. We topped off the evening with some delicious pizza down the road (sorry, I didn't catch the name), where I think I had the best prosciutto pizza I've ever had. It was a great end to my first day solo in London.

Tomorrow, I shop!

day two: row row row your boat

My second day in London ended up being a rather long extension of my first day. Why? I didnt adjust to the time as easily as I thought I would and I'm basically sleeping on the hardest bed in all of Christendom. Seriously. I have a bruise on my ribcage from where the spring pokes it because the mattress won't give. I usually love sleeping (especially because I have the most amazing mattress at home), but I'm really starting to hate it here.

Sleep deprivation and grouchiness aside, I rallied to grab some food with Kate before heading over to Putney for the Oxford/Cambridge boat race. We headed down to Fulham Road, where we happened upon Hache, a gourmet burger place that really lived up to the name. They had all kinds of burgers there (including one that was topped with American chunky peanut butter) and some of the best chips (fries) I've ever had in my life. I had a simple burger topped with bacon and aged cheddar and it was magical. Well seasoned. Juicy. Cooked perfectly. It was the perfect remedy to my lack of sleep.

But, no time for a food coma, it was time to jump on a bus and head for the race! The university Race has taken place annually since 1856 (with the exception of the two world wars) and is THE thing to do in March (according to the travel books I read before my trip). Countless Londoners line the race route to enjoy about 3 mins of rowing. I honestly could have listened to "In the Hall of the Mountain King" during the race and it would have covered the same amount of time. Btw, Oxford won.

Right, on to the pub then...along with everyone else. Let the shoving commence!!

After some downtime at the Spencer Arms (because that race is soooo exhausting), we all headed out for some curry. Everything you've heard about English curry is true. They know how to do that here. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala (I know, not very adventurous) just to compare it against what I've had at home and it was so good, I would have licked my plate if it had been acceptable (thankfully naan prevented me from embarrassing myself). I can't completely explain what the difference is but it was pronounced. I might have ruined that dish for myself once I get back home. It was worth it.

I need some sleep...more later

day one: you're here alone?

If I had to pick a theme for my first day in England, it would be "you're here alone?" It was the first thing I heard on English soil at Immigration, (that and "who exactly do you know here?") and just about the last thing I heard on Friday night (from the cabby asking why I didn't have friends with me when going into Brixton to see Primal Scream). You'd think no one ever saw a single gal traveling on her own!! All kidding aside, with the exception of Immigration, Londoners have been helpful and friendly...unless you're at a concert or on a crowded train on the tube.

London is a little unexpected, in the sense that I feel very comfortable here. On my first trio to New York City, I was so excited, I couldn't wait to go exploring. I wanted to pack in as much as I possibly could in the short amount of time I had there. I feel all that here, but it's more peaceful. Relaxed. It feels like home. I did some shopping on Kensington High Street made the "no shit, Sherlock" observation that all the homes really did look like they belonged in England, didn't mind the gap and tripped into the train my first trip on the tube, rode my first double-decker bus, crossed the Thames to meet some of Kate's friends, who I managed to fool into thinking I had been here before, was almost run over by a car because I'm not used to looking right and topped off the night by flying solo to The Brixton Academy to see Primal Scream perform their seminal album, Screamadelica. Many people were concerned about me venturing alone into that district (think Oakland with English accents), but I had a great time at the show and was really happy my first night in London ended on such a high note. 

Day Two includes watching the Oxford/Cambridge boat race and looking for The Winklevii. 

Cheers! 

t-minus 12 hours

So, I survived packing. I'm actually getting better at it. I've overpacked on the shirts, but worse things could happen. Passport and Ambien are in my purse. Boarding pass is at work. I've moved the car to avoid a parking ticket for street parking. It's pissing rain outside, so am cabbing it to work, instead of taking a bus in (with two pieces of luggage, not a fun thing). Now I just have to survive the day.

It still hasn't hit me that I'm going to be in England within a day. My guess is that everyone I know in my phone will get texts from me about 45 minutes before boarding when the adrenaline kicks in and reality sets in. You've been warned!

Off to zip up my bags, lug them down two flights of stairs, and get this day started.

packing is FUN!!

As you can see, I'm doing a bang-up job on the packing. Did I mention that I leave for SFO straight from work tomorrow? As in this time tomorrow, I will be somewhere over Illinois (providing the rain doesn't delay my flight)? I'm always late with packing, but it all comes together somehow. I just keep telling myself it will all be over soon. Now, where's that list of things I need to take with me?

two days and counting

Back in January, when I was making a list of things I wanted to accomplish this year, visiting London was THE thing that had to be completed. I've been wanting to go for ages. I can trace it back to being a seven year old, watching Lady Diana Spencer marry Prince Charles, and most of my favorite bands and authors hail from England. I'm an unabashed Anglophile, but, for one reason or another, I never booked a trip. That yearning ends this year. So, being the overachiever/why not do this/I'm tired of waiting person that I am, I threw out the idea of going to England on holiday to a friend of mine over brunch a couple of months ago. Planning commenced, as did an hourly obsession to farecast to track flight info. 

Why London? It's the one place on the planet that I know I would feel right at home in, even though I've never set foot in the country before. You could parachute me into the middle of London, leave me to my own devices, and it wouldn't phase me. I'd blend in. I'd thrive. I'd develop an accent. It's where I should be. It's as simple as that.

So, two days from now, I board a plane bound for London. What's planned? Primal Scream. The Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race. Museums. Shopping. Food. The Tube. Black Cabs. A whole lot more. You can follow my adventures here.

Cheers!