02/20/19
I wake up, brush my teeth (don’t worry I have been doing this everyday), look at my face and contemplate shaving. I look at my watch, nope, no time for that, it’s run time.
I run through Hyde park which is absolutely gorgeous, green, and downright awesome to see “Princess Diana” running plaques on the ground for the route she used to run.
Side Note: I wish we had more parks like this in LA.
I finish off my run and head to a pastry shop that was recommended to me and I can’t find it! After running 7.5 miles and looking forward to this (possible) hidden gem I decide to go back to my hotel...and there it is! Of course when you’re not searching is when these things will appear!
I walk in and ask what the server’s favorites are. Chocolate croissant. Cinnamon Brioche Pretzel. Give me both. Any tea? English Breakfast please. I sit outside, eat my pastries, and drink my tea with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company. What a pleasant end to the run.
Side Note: This Belgravia (or however you spell it) area is really cute. It’s very much an upscale + fashion area, but also has nice small shops like this pastry one. There are so many cultural pockets within London that have so much history and I am just engrossed in it!
Delicious breakfast in my belly, and now it’s time to get back to the hotel, shower, and head to my Harry Potter tour!
I get back to the hotel, shower really quick, notice my calic (however you spell it) is freaking out so I shave some hair off.
Shit! These are overground trains that don’t run as often and it takes off from Euston in fifteen minutes. I hustle over, have to find the right track, and...that was way easier than I thought it would be. I hop on what I think is the right train to Watford Junction.
Side Note: These trains have free WiFi which is great...nevermind you need a UK postcode, which I don’t have.
I look over and see someone reading, should have brought a book, didn’t even think about how long this train ride would be. Oh well, at least I’m on the train! That’s all I can really ask for.
Side Note: Slightly tired from the run this morning, might need another tea to wake me up, or maybe some butterbeer!
Another Side Note (Since I have the time on the train): It’s really fun to run your way through a new city, you see a lot of parts you might not have been able to because you would be walking or taking the tube to get to the places you want to see. With running you are able to move through places quickly, but not too quickly. Soak up the lake view while running alongside it and not feel overwhelmed by the amount of things you want to do. Also, since the public transit is so good, you run away from your hotel, and then just take the bus or tube back to your hotel or to the new destination you want to go to. It’s interesting to be taking the train past the suburbs and seeing the malls and shops just like you would see in America. Obviously it’s a western country, so…
I get off the train and make my way to the Harry Potter shuttle! I ride along, get to the WB lot and walk through the doors to the tour. What a tour it was indeed.
Side Note: This might be the most pictures about one thing that I will post.
Walking through the great hall set, Dumbeldore’s office, and the Dursley house.
The props and make up they had on display is unreal. This place is incredible! Highly recommend it.
I get my butterbeer halfway through the tour along with the souvenir cup.
I make it to the end of the tour and buy some gifts for people. I hop back on the shuttle to the train station and will figure out my next move once on the train!
Side Note: Can’t get Beigel Bake and Cereal Killer Cafe out of my head, but might try some more Indian food cause that should be fun. Maybe I’ll go to daunt books when I get back, also I should go to Euston tap since I will be right there at Euston station. There are two different sides, one for beer and one for cider. I’ll just go into one and drink whatever they are serving!
Another Side Note: Just saw a lady with a face that looked exactly like Gollum. They do say that art is forged from reality.
I stopped at Euston Tap. They are two buildings across the street from each other, each two stories high with enough space to grab your beer/cider and sit and chat with some friends. I ended up in the beer building so I grabbed a pint, drank alone (again), and then moved on.
There are a bunch of these coffee shops called Pret a Manger in London, so I decide to stop by and grab a croissant. Exactly what you would think from a chain coffee place, not the greatest croissant you will ever have, but solid. At this point I decide to just head back to the hotel and create a game plan for the rest of the night.
I get back to the hotel and look through my list of recommendations. How should I decide my next move? Food. Of course. I decided to go to Dinerama in Shoreditch, which is very similar to a Grand Central Market in LA but on a smaller scale. A bunch of different food stands with different types of food and alcohol. I’ll make my way from there over to the boutique shops to see if there is anything worthwhile, and then follow that up with some live music at the Blue’s Kitchen. For now it is time to charge my phone and read a little bit of Hemingway.
After my phone is charged and ready I hop on a bus and head over to Dinerama. With the research I did on this place I am looking forward to their Mediterranean wraps or something similar to that. The bus just passed a place called pong connect, might need to stop by there to see what kind of pong they are playing (willing to play any of the versions: ping, beer, video game, etc.).
I arrive at Dinerama and the smells of the food vendors permeate my nose.
I take a lap around to see what is available and I end up at a place that serves pork buns. I get two small pork buns (so I can try something else later) and a beer. This is what I needed. These pork buns were so delicious, perfect bao, deliciously tender and marinated meat, and the crisp vegetables give it the perfect texture as well.
I get some dumplings from the place next door and they are ok...but at least I had the pork buns!
I walk upstairs to a bar that is preparing for the Champions League game. I stay up there a little and debate whether I should check out the shops in the area or experience watching a Champions League game at a British bar. I decide to stay and I sit next to a Real Madrid fan (that’s the team that was playing) and decide to root for his team with him. I get a beer out of this friendship, and while the Real game ends in a loss, I make my way out as he has work the next day to attend to.
I walk across the street from Dinerama to Boxpark. All of their stores are closed on the first floor unfortunately, but the second floor is an open air bar area that is a really cool place to get drinks and chill with friends...which I don’t have at the moment. Oh well, maybe I will bring people here when I make my next trip out here!
I decide to walk over to Beigel Bake and then just head home since it is a little later in the night. Then I remember I have to check out Blue’s Kitchen! I walk over there and the sound of live jazz takes over the night. It truly feels like you are in New Orleans with the swing of the place. I grab a beer and this place is perfectly lit in blue light and has a great vibe to hang out and listen to great jazz music.
Side Note: I need to see more live bands either at bars or wherever in LA. Would be fun.
The live music and environment here is amazing, the only bad thing is that the singer/bassist of this band is wearing a patriots shirt. A guy named Miles instigates a convo with me. Nice guy, and the first (second if you count the soccer match which I think is different circumstances) convo I have had with a random stranger in London. He is a good guy, but has to leave because of work the next day, so I finish my beer and decide it’s time to grab a late night snack. Beigel Bake time.
On my way to Beigel Bake I decide to stop at 333 mother bar, but it is completely empty...on to food! I walk in and get another salted beef beigel, amazing, and a doughnut, which is pretty good, but they don’t keep things warm which I think would have benefited it. Not saying it was bad, it was very good, but just something to make it better.
I wait for the bus which seems to be taking forever, but it finally shows up. I get back to the hotel, FaceTime Emily to give her the recap of the day and see how she is doing, and then it’s sleep sleep time.
Comments