Wandering Faqir

As mentioned in my earlier blog I recently qualified as an English teacher. I got my certification in Madrid and met some lovely people whilst doing the intensive 4 weeks course. There were people from different cities and countries. I love making friends from different cities, which just gives me a reason to visit different cities and save some money in the process too.

I met this sprightly Italian who is an amazing teacher with really creative methods of teaching. As the course was super intensive it was inevitable that an emotionally and socially challenged person like me ended up making some life long friends. The friend of mine visited London in February and we did some interesting things around the city.

My friend had visited London once before like most European students on a school trip as a 12 year old. The plan was to do some usually touristy things like the Museums and the royal parks but also do things that locals would. I was looking forward to the visit only in time to be attacked by a viral infection. It however didn’t deter me from having a good time with my friend as I popped in some anti-biotic pills to fight the virus. I had to give some of the park and museum visits a miss but it’s always amazing to visit them even in the cold weather. London has some of the most recognisable structures and no matters what the weather I would always recommend a wonder about the city.

Some of the most popular greens spaces in London include Hyde Park (home to Princess Diana memorial), Green Park, Regents Park, St. James Park, Richmond Park (home to some free wandering deers), Kensington Gardens, Victoria Park, Greenwich Park which encloses reference line for the Greenwich Mean Time and the Royal Observatory, Battersea Park and Hampstead Heath (has women only pond with no access for any men) just to name a few. I would like to add the Pimrose Hill Park which has some amazing views of the city skyline. Some other green spaces that are my personal favorites are the Bunhill Fields which was a former burial ground with graves dating 17^th century. Popular with the nonconformists some of the notable people resting are include John Bunyan author of ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’, Daniel Defoe author of ‘Robinson Crusoe and Poet William Blake just to name some. Another such burial ground turned into public green space in Henrietta Mews in WC1X tucked away in the middle of residential buildings only a few minutes away from the hustle bustle of Kings Cross Station.

London has some of the best Museums and the best part is all of them are free with tickets for special exhibitions. I was gutted when I had to miss a trip to the National History Museum due to being poorly but my friend loved it. If you happen to be in London in the summer NHM has the Sensational Butterflies exhibition, which is certainly worth a visit. There is the Science Museum within walking distance from NHM, which has some really interesting exhibits including 2D Red Arrows Simulator Show and Space Virtual Reality experience. The Science Museum is also open late some evenings with Bingo, Karaoke and Speed Dating on offer. The Victoria and Albert Museum is close by too thus making the area Museum lovers delight. The Royal Albert Hall is not too far away either. I joined my friend for lunch after the museum visit. We had a hearty lunch at the Comptoir Libanais devouring falafels, Hummus, Spinach & Feta pastry, loads of Halloumi and grilled kebabs accompanied by Lebanese style hot chocolate flavoured with spices. We then treated ourselves to some delicious crepes at the Kensington Creperie.

I have always loved walking and London is one of those big cities, which is a delight to walk around. My friend and I went wandering around town. We visited the usual haunts like the St. Pauls Cathederal, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, South Bank Centre. We down embankment making our way to Trafalgar Square, which is best viewed from then National Gallery Main Entrance. The National Gallery is home of some of the great works of art like Rembrandt’s Self Potrait, Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Michelangelo’s Entombment and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks just to name some. And the best part is you get to see all these rare world class collections for free! After all the walking we took a break by stopping over at Gordon’s Wine Bar, which has been standing in its current location since 1890 serving a wide range of wines. Over the years they have added the best cheese from around globe to their menu and most recently some food.

We walked around the customary activities of interest like window-shopping down Oxford Street and to Carnaby Street which houses one of my favourite cake shop called Choccywoccydoodah, which serves chocolate in every form, shape and size. We proceeded down Regents Street to Piccadilly Circus enjoying the buskers under Eros Statue. We walked down the famous Shaftsbury Avenue to Leicester Square making our way to my favourite place in London Covent Garden which is home to Neal’s Yard popular for it’s cozy look but preferred by me for the amazing organic product of Neal’s Yard Remedies.

No London visit is complete without a visit to the theatre. My friend was keen to catch a play. As we where playing it by the ear we walked into the box office to get some tickets. We decided to watch ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’. Though not a musical it was an amazing production with some really good performances. Before the play we indulged in the pre-theatre menu at Bill’s where my friend tried my favourite dessert the sticky toffee pudding for the first time.

My Friend’s trip ended with a morning spent the famous Portobello Road, which displays the vibrant culture of London from antique shops to food stalls selling cuisine from all over the world and some very unique shops. I took my friend to Gail’s which serves my favourite flourless chocolate cake but I was on a mission to treat my friend to some scones and clotted cream which to my surprise my friend had never tried before. To my delight my friend loved it.

We were on the go constantly and sure it was tiring so make sure you have your walking shoes on. It was a short but an amazing weekend, which was packed with some interesting experiences for my friend and I. We parted ways with the promise to meet again in another city to have new experiences.