I’m sitting in a cute little bed and breakfast in London right now struggling to write when I should be working. It’s so hard to focus on work when you are supposed to be on vacation so I guess I have no choice but to procrastinate tonight. I’ve been in London for 3 days now and I’ve been telling myself to document my trip every night but I come back to the hotel and pass out right away because I’m so exhausted from all the walking. Isn’t it ironic that vacations are so draining because you want to see and do as much as you can?
My flight to London went by quickly because of the late flight (zzzzzz) and my seat buddy (hi Kelly!), although frustrating because of my damn backpack. First day into my 7-week trip and I already faced the biggest fail: my decision to bring a backpack. A backpack is convenient, and I was able to carry it on the plane with me but it is horribly uncomfortable because it gets really heavy overtime, especially when you have to pack all these electronics and extra fitness gear.
I didn’t want to check in bags either, and heaving it around the airport felt like my demise. The backpack was properly fitted and I swear, I packed light with my clothing because I was planning to buy things along the way! My shoulders were also sore from a workout before I left so I guess I didn’t give the backpack a fair chance but I’m going to listen to my gut! I cannot imagine using one when the weather gets hotter as I head further down south— I don’t mind sweating in workout gear but not walking around town in everyday clothing.
I went out to buy a high quality suitcase yesterday and I’m much happier… plus I can fit way more in it! I’m sending the backpack to France to use as check-in luggage for shopping splurges at the end of my trip. Does that make me a good problem solver? Harhar.
Lesson learned: I am NOT a backpacking type of gal.
On the first day, I arrived later than planned while struggling to stay awake at the airport, and on the tube, but finally at 5pm, I headed out to explore the neighbourhood. I wandered onto Oxford Street, quite surprised because I did not know it was a couple blocks away. How dangerous. I lack willpower. I took some random turns and got lost but I loved how there are maps, and random wifi all over the place.
The next day, I was up at 5am, ready to wing my day: Buckingham Palace where I took a picture and left since it was not opened to the public… just to say I did it. You don’t need much time gazing at the exterior of a building. I was trying to make it the Museum of Natural History but saw the line and went next door to the Victoria & Albert Museum instead. Headed back up to Camden Town to explore and have lunch. Some woman tried to distract me, hoping I wouldn’t notice her not giving me my change back after I bargained, and bought some spa products from her. Sneaky! Went back to Oxford Street for more shopping (no sneaky salespeople). Then spent a couple hours at the British Museum after dropping my shopping bags off at the hotel. My legs began to scream in pain so I sadly did not make it through the exhibits. Grabbed take out on the way home, and passed out cold thinking: must work… must blog.. must work…
Today I achieved my London goal of visiting Hampton Court Palace (so amazing), then I explored Piccadilly Circle, Leicester Square, Chinatown + area, napped and then had dinner at a nice Italian restaurant (which cost way too much for what it was worth).
Tomorrow is my last day in London and I plan to relax and either go running along the Thames or gym-hunting. Most likely the lather because I hate running (damn you, Tough Mudder), and I feel like my muscles are deteriorating with all this walking. Must. Lift. I may try to hit up the Tate Modern before it closes but I don’t mind saving it for my next trip to London.
This sums up my trip so far: winging everything and hoping I don’t get lost (thank god for wifi and Google maps), running on too many Americano’s and expending excessive amounts of energy to resist shopping. I’m only on day 4 of 49…
