London, UK

London Eye, Big Ben and Parliament

I went to London this weekend to visit Julianne and it was fantastic! I definitely didn't have enough time there, and there is still so much I want to see there, but I love what I did see and Julianne was such a good tour guide. I took the train on Friday from Paris to London, which means I got to take the Chunnel! After dropping my stuff off at her flat, we hopped on the tube and went nighttime sightseeing. It was a really good way to fit everything in and hit all the huge monuments that look great at night. First was Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament and the London Eye. We walked along the Thames while Julianne pointed out places of interest. I really don't know much about London, so I enjoyed walking and having her show me parts of London that she loved. 

Harrod's at Christmas

Then we walked over to Harrod's to see all the Christmas lights and decorations. The windows were Disney princess themed with major designers' dresses and accessories revamping the princesses. 

Of course, a picture with a phone booth

 We ended our evening at a pub to try winter cider (apple, cinnamon, vanilla flavored- very good and very girly) and catch up. We called it an early night after planning the rest of the weekend to get up and take advantage of Saturday.

 Saturday morning we started at Portobello Market after breakfast made by Julianne. Portobello Market is in Notting Hill so we took the bus over (sadly not a double decker) and walked around for hours. It was rainy and ridiculously crowded, but I still really enjoyed all of the booths and seeing this charming borough. I even got a picture in front of THE blue door.

280- the Notting Hill door 

Portobello Market

 I really only had the full day Saturday in London, so we continued on our tourist path to try and fit everything in after the market. Back on the tube and we were over at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

Tower of London

Tower Bridge 

London Skyline

ON the way to the Palace

 After that, we made it over to Buckingham Palace for requisite pictures of, around, and in front of the palace.

Buckingham Palace

Together again!

It was a full day that continued late into the night. For the second half of her study abroad program, Julianne is doing an internship and her boss and boss' fiancé invited her and the other interns over for Thanksgiving dinner. They insisted she bring me along, so I got to have a proper Thanksgiving meal. And I'm sorry family, but seriously, probably the most delicious one I've ever had. Cooked by her Korean boss who is a resident of the UK who had never had Thanksgiving before. So good. And we all chatted and drank lots of wine and Persecco (some a little too much, i.e. the other intern and it was hilarious) and met some of their colleagues/friends. There were 9 of us total and it made for quite an entertaining night. We got there around 5:30pm and didn't leave until midnight.

Before our delicious dinner

 We got back to Julianne's apartment in time to catch all her flat mates' Saturday night drama and scandal and stayed up eating and talking. We were exhausted this morning and instead of more sightseeing we opted for loads of tea in her flat with all her flatmates. The sun was finally shining and I was enjoying the relaxing morning staring out her window. If I had had a later train this afternoon we probably would have actually used the day, but I had to leave around noon. I'm sad I had to leave but I'm happy for the time we got to spend together. I can't wait to get back to London.

View over South Kensington