London

London was practically number one on my list of places to visit while in Europe.  It was very highly recommended by all of my friends who have lived/visited there, and since (up until 2 weeks ago) it is the only location of my beloved Chipotle in all of Europe, I needed to go there.  Two weeks prior, I semi-spontaneously bought my round-trip flight through Ryanair for about 80 euros.  Not to shabby.  It was hard for me to coordinate this trip with others, so I set off for foggy London town all on my own.  Sure I was nervous about travelling alone, but since they do speak English in London, I wasn’t too terribly scared.  One thing that I did not plan for however, was that it happened to be the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend; a huge celebration of 60 years on the throne!

My flight to London was good enough, it was a fairly cheap flight through Ryanair so I wasn’t really expecting too much.  What I definitely wasn’t expecting was how far away the “Düsseldorf-Weeze airport actually is from Düsseldorf! It took me about 2 hours by train and bus just to get to the airport!  When I did arrive to the airport, I met some very interesting people on my flight; an Iranian mathematics professor at Oxford, and a Zimbabwean/English woman in the military stationed in Germany.  An interesting bunch, and it made for really good conversation!  I got to London Stanstead airport pretty late, converted some money (that exchange rate hurt!), and bussed it into the city.  Then, I bought an [Oyster Card] and rode the tube to Russell Square, where my hostel was located.  The hostel I stayed in was less than stellar.  I stayed in a 9 bed mixed dorm and was the last person to check in, so I got the worst pick of bunks; the highest bed in a triple bunk bed, and it was also farthest from the window.  It was a very uncomfortable and sweaty night.

I woke up very early on Saturday, ate “breakfast” at the hostel (toast, jam, and milk, pretty lame), and headed to the Portobello Road market.  I wandered around the market for a few hours, taking in the sights and sounds of London.  I absolutely love hearing people speak with British accents, I was so happy just wandering around the market and listening to people!  

 Market signage and a pile of teacups. 

 After ample meandering, I hopped on a train and headed to the Warner Bros. Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour!  This was what I was most excited about in London, so it was worth paying up a little bit. This is my childhood we’re talking about!  The tour was INCREDIBLE.  I got to see the actual sets and props used in all the Harry Potter films as well as learn fun facts about “the making of”.  One of my favorite things I learned was that a lot of the paintings on the walls in Hogwarts were commissioned portraits of the production team wearing funny costumes.  The tour was not only a cool look at all the sets, but also a beautiful tribute to all of the 4000+ behind the scenes people who worked on all the films.   The whole time I was walking around the sets, I kept thinking, “Rupert Grint was here! Daniel Radcliffe was here! So-and-so was here!” I shed many a tear.

READY TO GO!

Inside the studio!

Just sippin' some Butterbeer ridin' Sirius's motorcycle. NBD.

DIAGON ALLEY! I died.

 After the amazing Harry Potter tour, I headed to CHIPOTLE for dinner.  I also shed a tear at Chipotle because I was so damn happy to eat my most favorite food ever.  It felt fantastic to be inside a Chipotle.  My obsession runs deeper than just the food, I am addicted to the atmosphere and the entire company!  I got myself a bowl with a tortilla inside, with carnitas, fajitas, pinto beans, tomato salsa, corn salsa, and tomatillo green salsa, a little sour cream, and lettuce.  While I was enjoying this delicious bowl of happiness, a group of 3 American ladies sat down next to me.  I struck up a conversation and learned that they were all working for, or have husbands working for, the US military stationed in England.  As it turned out, they had an extra ticket to the West end production of Matilda, the hottest new musical in London!  I accepted their invitation and went with them to see, THE COOLEST musical I’ve ever seen.  The set and all the actors were absolutely magnificent.  Adorable mega-talented British children made my heart melt!  After that super serendipitous evening, I headed back to the hostel where I met 2 girls from Minnesota who had just started their post college eurotrip.  We all got some late night food together and they were really awesome company.

 Patriotic walk to my Chipotle haven. I was so happy!

Matilda set! So adorable!

The three of us Americans woke up really early on Sunday and tried to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace.  However, Sunday was the HUGE Jubilee Boat Parade celebration and so many places were closed to the public.  We were still able to walk around Westminster and see Parliament and Big Ben.  We also walked through Piccadilly and saw them setting up for the big Jubilee lunch.  After a bit, we parted ways and I continued on along the banks of the Thames and people watched all the British Queen-fanatics.  I eventually made my way to the Tower of London, London Bridge, and the Millennium Bridge. There were so many people that I couldn’t get very close to any of the major sights, but the atmosphere of the city was contagiously exciting!  Unfortunately, my flight back to Germany was early so I couldn’t see any of the actual Boat Parade.  I was able to eat some Bangers and Mash at a nice British pub before setting off for the airport.

 Me and the obligatory phone booth pic. Some ladies in stylish British rain gear.

The Tower!

Londy Londy Londy!

 Of course I had to find Platform 9 3/4 and eat some Bangers and Mash before I left!

My weekend in London exposed me to only the tip of the British iceberg.  I would absolutely love to go back and spend some serious time in that city.  The people were all so rowdy and friendly and there is so much to do there.  I can’t wait to go back and experience even more, and hopefully next time I’ll be with some friends or loved ones!  Travelling alone was an interesting experience.  It really forced me to be even more outgoing and talk to people, and I’m truly glad that is what I did!  I’m so happy that I met some great people and I still can’t believe I saw a musical production of London’s West end with no expense to me!  I can’t wait until I have the opportunity to visit again.