Read time: 5-10 min
Ack! I forgot to add a photo of the prawn cocktail crisps in the last post! They’re a super delicious UK snacky food that’s kind of like ketchup chips…deliciously addictive…thanks Lauren. I’m doomed for life.
Dear Readers,
Hello and welcome to part 3 of my travel adventure! In the last post, Antonia and I made it to Bath in the UK, made some friends, enjoyed a bath in Bath and read a book with tea and cookies in a beautiful bookstore. If you haven’t read them yet, here’s part 1 and part 2.
Back to London – Introducing the Vegan Flatmates!:
See how it says flatmates and not roommates? Flatmates = you share a flat together. Roommates = share a room together. I always called people roommates (not flatmates) before my travels, but flatmates makes even more sense!
Digressions aside…Antonia kindly let me stay at her flat again in London after coming back from Bath and wow! Are her flatmates ever the best. There’s 3 other ladies (all vegan) and all non-locals who are mighty good company.
The next few days were pretty relaxing and filled with just being a local in London (and a theme you will probably continue to see in my travel adventures). I went for some walks, baked bread and visited London’s Chinatown.
Roaming around London slowly was definitely a highlight for me. 10 years ago, my aunt took me to London on a trip. While I don’t remember that much of the details, I have some vague memories of things like Chinatown and menus explaining how to eat soup dumplings.
Biking in London – Scary, but Wonderful:
ACK! They use the opposite side of the road! This was a little daunting to me so I did some practice rides in the residential streets before attempting to ride a longer distance. Only once in the beginning can I say that I ended up on the wrong side…luckily the street was empty. Dear Mom, please don’t have a heart attack reading this.
Antonia wanted to do a practice ride to work so we ventured out on one of the weekends. I wish I had her fitness level, but luckily Lea let me borrow her beautiful road bike so I wasn’t completely tanked when we got back.
Discount Entertainment!
London is such a beautiful place to go for those who enjoy arts and entertainment. While it can expensive to go out for a play (easily >£100), I think it’s definitely part of the culture and 100% not something to be missed. Here’s a couple tips:
- Free walking tours – these are tip based so you pay what you think the tour is worth. They can be of varying quality, but guruwalk.com is a great site to find them, check reviews and book. Also, it’s not just for London, I’ve used it in other areas around the world too
- TodayTix – Love love love this app! They have tickets for that days’ shows at a solid discount. You can pick your seats and the shows start at £18/ticket. I saw Frozen The Musical for £29.50 (normally >£50). I recommend the “Rush Tickets” which are more heavily discounted, but are released first thing in the morning. Check the time and set an alarm.
- Standing seats – Previously mentioned, but at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre they have standing tickets for £5 or £10. It’s an awesome experience and you get to see the faces of the performers right up close! Arrive super early so you’re right at stage with no one in front of you.
So Much…Eating…:
I swear I did more than eat…but reviewing photos of my time in London, I wonder if I didn’t just spend majority of my time eating at the Vegan Flat. Living with these ladies taught me so much about the versatility vegan eating. Not going to lie, 10 years ago, I thought that vegans only ate salad.
Oh how I’ve come a far way….
Last Thoughts:
London is amazing especially when you have incredible company. TBH, having incredible company and meeting others in the world is what makes travel the most interesting for me…not really what I do tourist-wise.
Anyway, that’s a wrap for part 3! Next part will be Edinburgh…hello Fringe Festival and my seeing my dear high school friend Jenny! It’ll be released on May 9th/24. Happy travelling and if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below or send me a message on Instagram.
~Tracy
World of Wandering Minds 