02/23/19
Today is the big run of the week. I decide to not go to the observatory and since I slept in slightly and went for a late night run the night before I will be running 10 miles along the South Bank and going straight to Maltby Street Market. Running this route was unbelievable. Along the river, eventually on the opposite side of the Tower of London and then running up to and past the Tower Bridge. I truly love this city.
I finish up my run and make it to Maltby Street Market. This market is what I envisioned. It’s an alleyway that has about 15 different food vendors making to-order food. After a 10 mile run, I definitely had enough room in my belly for a feast. So instead of going stop by stop I will let you know my reviews in order of what I got.
First stop, hot chocolate with marshmallow fluff lining the rim of the cup and torched for a nice golden brown smore-ish finish. As you would expect, delicious.
I asked this vendor where to go next, and they said if you like chicken and waffles you have to try this other place. Done.
To be honest, my brain wasn’t obviously functioning at 100%, because what London establishment would be able to best America’s chicken and waffles. The bacon they put on it was alright, the chicken was pretty good, and the only highlight was the waffle, which I should have just ate by itself. Oh well.
Next up was a grilled cheese vendor I had my eye on. I got the grilled cheese with bacon, which was very good. The grilled cheese itself was delicious, they added onions which was a nice touch, but the bacon was too hammy for me. Would have been better without.
Lastly, the thing that was actually recommended online when coming to the Maltby Street Market, was the doughnut. I spent so much time looking for the vendor that was selling these, and I was about to leave when I saw the doughnuts in a French Cafe behind the food vendors in the alley. I walk in and order the chocolate doughnut. As I walk up to the register to pay I am getting order envy as most of the croissants and other pastries look that much better.
Side Note: This French cafe makes me want to go to Paris so bad.
I eat the chocolate doughnut now as I walk back to my tube stop, but the lack of sugar (like in the Banana Cake from the day previous) is not to my liking. When I get a chocolate doughnut, I want a CHOCOlate doughnut. It’s still very good, but not my favorite. Highlight of the Maltby Street Market: Hot Chocolate with the Marshmallow Fluff. Now it’s off to the V and A Museum!
The tube drops you off and you walk underground for what feels like forever in order to get to the entrance of the V and A Museum. The anticipation is building, and I can’t wait to see what the hype is all about because this place has been recommended by a multitude of people. I walk in to see an incredible display of bedroom decor, clothing fashion, armor, swords, and much much more. This place is insane.
To think that we are moving toward minimalism when hundreds of years ago it was all about the ornate grandeur that also had an impeccable attention to detail at the same time.
Side Note: Not really great that they don’t have seat covers in the bathroom, do they just use toilet paper or sit where the last person sat? *Sorry if this is too TMI.
I wish I had more time at this museum, but this is by far the coolest (don’t know if it’s the best compared to the Tate Modern, but they are both neck and neck, no rankings here) museum in London. Highly recommend. I will definitely be taking way more time in there next time I am back. Also I got a sick rhyme journal for five pounds when I was there, who would have thought.
Next up, Natural History Museum. I walk in and am greeted by the fossils of a huge whale lifted high above everyone in the place. It’s pretty spectacular.
I don’t know if I have just seen too many of these museum’s growing up, or if the place is more designed for kids, but I didn’t think much of it. You could see museums like this anywhere, which is great, but not what I am looking for as a special place in London.
Onto the Science Museum. Now this was a place that was designed both for kids and adults alike. They had old machines that took up huge rooms, they had old cars that broke speed records. They had planes, space related things, and everything you could think of that has led us to the age we live in now. This place was pretty cool.
If you have time stop here do it, but if you are low on time definitely stick with the V and A museum. Alright, time to tube back to the hotel, but the tunnel I took to enter the V and A is closed, so I stumble around outside until I find the right place to enter.
Side Note: I think the reason the British accent is the way it is is because the people have gotten bored of their own language. They have been speaking it for so long, it’s gotten boring, so this is their way of spicing it up.
I get back to my hotel, shave, shower, and get my suit on. I am feeling fresh with my new cut, cleanly shaven face, and my suit fitting perfectly. I head to the tube with swag because I got this public transit thing down pat. I get down to the Circle Line and transfer over to the DLR (Docklands Railway). Boom on the tube...and I got on the wrong one. So much for that confidence. BUT it’s going to the same station where I can transfer to DLR, so no worries on that as no time will be lost! I still got this. Self confidence back on.
Side Note: I should find a sick tie clip because then I don’t have to worry about my tie looking screwed up in photos, and it would look way more put together.
Looks like the circle line only runs every 10 minutes, so now it’s just a waiting game, a little bit of time lost.
I get to the hotel where the dinner is at, meet up with Kandace and crew and we head to our table. Even though I got nominated for Best Actor I know that I am not going to win. “But, Sean, where is the self confidence?” Well the other Best Actor nom is the cover story of this film festival’s magazine they produced. No hard feelings at all, but knowing that, it’s great to just sit back, relax, drink some wine, and enjoy the festivities without worrying about whether or not I will win. There are about 50 awards that seem to be going out, so this might take a little longer than expected.
Best Actor category came up, and it goes to someone else. Best Supporting Actor, and it goes to someone else. Best Director comes up, and Kandace wins! Hell yeah! Our table is pumped, and Kandace definitely deserved it! These are the things that make it worth it working in this industry, while it might seem self indulgent to be happy about an award win, being validated for all of your hard work and time makes it that much more worth it.
Great dinner, capped off by a great award win. I have been chatting with the guys behind Earn the Season and their wife and fiance. They were sitting at our table during the award show and they are great people to be hanging out with during the dinner. I go down to the bar in the hotel and chat with them till about 3 or 4 in the morning. We exchange emails and phone numbers, and maybe we will work together on something one day, who knows in this industry.
I head out and walk toward the closest bus stop in order to make it to Duck and Waffle, a place that is open 24/7 and has a spectacular view in the city. I am waiting for the bus after a 20 minute walk to get there. I am the only one out, and hope the bus comes at some point…
Alright I’ve been waiting for 15 minutes at this point, bus is supposed to run every 15 minutes, and nothing has happened. If it doesn’t come within the next 10 I will definitely have to use my data to call up an uber.
Side Note: F that, stay strong. This bus runs 24 hours, it’ll come eventually.
The bus finally comes, I hop on and make my way to Duck and Waffle. I get to the top floor and it is a pretty sweet view.
They have WiFi so I use it to FaceTime Emily and tell her how the award show went. Well, nobody is coming to take my order, so I say goodbye to Emily, and guess where I am close to? That’s right, Brick Lane.
On my way over I stop at a bakery that is open and get a custard tart. Check.
Side Note: Yes, my drunchies are in full effect. How much wine did I drink?
Then I get to the glory of it all. Beigel Bake. I get my salted beef bagel (the last one before I’m back to the states) as well as a chocolate croissant to be chowed down on once back at the hotel. The bagel, as you would expect, is amazing per usual. I wait for the bus and eat the chocolate croissant after that. Once again, was good, but would prefer it warmed up.
I hop on the bus, walk to the hotel, and it is definitely time to go to bed. I look at my phone. It’s 6:30 in the morning. Tomorrow is going to be rough.
Comentários