London: Breakfast Club and Flower Market

May 11, 2011

I went to meet up with Becky, an awesome friend of a friend, on Sunday. We found ourselves at the Breakfast Club for....breakfast! I got a vegetarian English breakfast, which I have to say was quite delicious. The veggie sausage was quite tasty and as always, I love me some baked beans.

Then we meandered over to the Columbia Road Flower Market, where sellers were hawking their flowers over the sounds of sweet sweet street music. I love markets of all shapes and sizes. They are very possibly one of my favorite activities wherever I may be, and I will in all probability pick a market over a museum any day. This one was no exception. Despite being relatively empty on account of rain, it was crowded, difficult to navigate, and an assault on the senses as sellers yelled over each, people jostled into each other, and the scent of flowers mingled with fresh rain.

Breakfast Club

Columbia Road Flower Market

Want to get your hair and make-up done in vintage style? They got that!

Want a dry place to chill away from the rain? They got that, too!

London in December

From: December 10, 2011
I got to take a business trip to London, so naturally I took the opportunity to go earlier and spend the weekend. I was hosted by the fantastic Mr. Kershaw, who made it his mission to keep me entertained. Hats up to you sir!

On my first day we went to a breakfast place by his house, where we ended up sitting next to what appeared to be band members enjoying breakfast together, only they were having the sort of conversation you would imagine at a 13-year-old-girl's sleepover. *Apparently* one guy was having girl issues, and you see, he really really loves her, but he's tired of her b.s. And his friends think she's just messing with him because she can and he should just leave her and they're tired of always having this conversation. Ohhhh, he knows that, but when it's good, they're just so good together. The conversation was amazing and when I ignored their shaggy hipster look and late-twenties age, it took me right back to middle school. I definitely understand now how alternative/pop bands manage to write so many whiny romance songs.

TOURIST!

Most of these pictures are obviously edited for coloring and light (I got Paint.net recently and I've been having a field day with graphic editing), but I took them all during our touristy foray into London.

It's London people! Spiry buildings and double decker busses!

Protest against the elections in Russia, particularly regarding Putin. Ironic, really, that I post these pictures the day after Putin is sworn in as president again. I wonder if Medvedev will disappear into anonymity or develop a sudden case of radioactive poisoning...

London closed off a few major roads for the holiday shopping season, and they thought it would be fun if they had old-timey vehicles on display. One of K's friends' Dad owns the lovely steam-operated firetruck below, so we went to check it out!

 Old-timey picture! (Yes, I've reverted to elementary school editing. It's fun, ok?!)

Stereotypes Realized

In America we always joke about British mannerisms and tourists always want to go to a traditional pub or have "high tea" when in London, but the whole concept always seemed a little contrived to me. After all, those stereotypes are exaggerated, right? Wrong.

While in London a few weeks ago, I met up with some guys friends of mine and we took a walk around the big sights (the Eye, the Palace, the Abbey, etc). A few hours into this activity, the following conversation occurred and both men were completely serious.

#1: You know what would be nice right now? A hot beverage.
#2: You are quite right, I could use a spot of tea right now.
#1: I know exactly where to go! There is a lovely cafe on the fifth floor of this bookstore.
Me (jokingly): Oh yes, that sounds quite civilized.
#2 (seriously): Indeed.

What did we order? Tea and biscuits with jam and clotted cream.

To top it off, after meeting up with some other friends, we eventually made it to a pub called "The Snooty Fox". I love England.