I love London for many reasons. Public transportation is cleaner and more hi-tech than in New York, so traversing the city is surprisingly easy (not at all a sticking point of culture shock). The pace matches that of Manhattan \u2013 which, to many, may seem frightening \u2013 yet the atmosphere is one of interconnected neighborhoods, promoting a far less suffocating experience. It\u2019s hard to describe, but the Tube (subway) stations and shorter buildings lend to an inviting vibe, not an intimidating one. London also boasts incredible architecture and a lively arts and museums scene. Even if those aren\u2019t of interest to you (they certainly weren\u2019t for me), please check them out! I\u2019m rounding out the semester with a newfound appreciation for the arts \u2013 at one point, I saw three shows in a span of two weeks! (Try to snag same-day discounts at TKTS). These prompted me to question my parents on why we hardly take advantage of the wealth of opportunities for cultural exploration in New York \u2013 we\u2019ll be on Broadway more this summer!<\/p>\n
All that said, the reason I\u2019ve most enjoyed my time in London is also the most surprising \u2013 the food! Nearly everyone \u2013 my parents included \u2013 warned me that London food would be the bane of my existence, given my reputation as a foodie (a perhaps affectionate re-terming of \u201cfood-obsessed\u201d). I think this view stems from two misconceptions. In most cases, my parents\u2019 critical friends had not returned to London in over a decade, a period over which the food scene has developed exponentially. Second, the somehow common mistake (made by those who themselves had never visited London) is to assume that London restaurants serve Fish and Chips and meat pies in exclusivity. London has so much more to offer.<\/p>\n
From luxurious High Tea to ubiquitously-available street food (great hangover cure), my most memorable moments in London were with a fork in hand. London owes its gastronomical development and traditions to its imperialist origins \u2013 Chinese and Indian cuisine, for example, are among the city\u2019s most refined offerings. Most enjoyable for my friends and I, however, was exploring the incredible food markets. Thanks to the centrality of my dorm, Borough Market and Flat Iron Square were just steps away \u2013 I visited almost every day. Camden Market, Bermondsey Street, and Maltby Street Market were well worth the trips as well \u2013 all five were awesome, and offered delicious food ranging from street stalls to sit-down dining. My favorite, however, was Old Spitalfields Market \u2013 located in Spitalfields, a pocket to the east of the Strand (on which the primary King\u2019s campus is located). Old Spitalfields is anything but \u2013 it\u2019s refined, an amalgamation of the multitude of cuisines available in London. As someone who sees food as a primary vessel for cultural exploration, I felt that Old Spitalfields placed the world at my fingertips (and taste buds). Check it out for a weekday lunch so you can catch the food trucks!<\/p>\n
Pictured is Where the Pancakes Are \u2013 a brunchtime favorite housed in Flat Iron Square.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I love London for many reasons. Public transportation is cleaner and more hi-tech than in New York, so traversing the city is surprisingly easy (not at all a sticking point of culture shock). The pace matches that of Manhattan \u2013 which, to many, may seem frightening \u2013 yet the atmosphere is one of interconnected neighborhoods, … <\/p>\n