One of my new favorite ways to catch-up with friends is a high, low, buffalo. You probably already understand the highs and lows part. Buffalo is just something random/interesting that happens! So here is my trip to London through the lens of highs, lows, and buffalos.

Highs

Friendship: Constantly meeting new people is exciting, but it is so so so so wonderful to spend time with someone who knows me. Seeing my friend, Juliette’s life in London was a treat! I also got to see another friend, Laura. Her part of the city is absolutely adorable, and she was a 15/10 tour guide on an afternoon when Juliette was busy.

Coffee: Juliette has a Pret A Manger subscription (UK coffee chain) where she can get up to 5 cappuccinos a day! She was very kind to share the coffee wealth with me. If I ever move to London, I would 1000% invest in that.

Music: I got to see Juliette’s choir perform twice! The first event was even a church service. I haven’t been to church since I left Colorado, and being in a spiritual environment was really rejuvenating. (It inspired me to reach out to my next host about local churches I could attend.) Sunday evening, her choir performed a full concert in St.Mary’s Le Strand Church. The building was stunning and had amazing acoustics. Afterwards, we enjoyed a small reception with wine and mince pies (my FIRST mince pie).

• Side Note: I was very pleasantly surprised to find mince pie was a sweet dessert and not a meat snack.

Also, after the concert, we went to a pub with some of her friends. It turned out the pub was having an Irish trad night (this is where various musicians come together to play traditional Irish folk music!) I so deeply wish I had easier access to go to some these when I was actually in Ireland. Our group was sitting on the patio outside the pub, but I popped-in for 15 minutes to listen to the music, and it was wonderful.

Weather: I am grateful the weather was what it was! I know how rainy the UK can be, and overall, we had mostly dry days! It was also really warm! Juliette and I went on two short runs that were really fun!

Stew and Cookies: We bought some fresh ingredients from the famous Borough market and made a beef stew. I felt so fancy. Also, I got to mince the garlic (thanks again to Mathew’s coaching). We enjoyed this stew with baguette and reruns of 19 Kids and Counting. Juliette had also made sugar cookie dough for us to do some Christmas baking.

Lows

Tourists: Aren’t tourists the worst! (hypocrisy noted). The crowds in London are insane during this season. One day, we went to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. You could not walk two steps without getting bumped into. Despite paying entry fee and waiting an hour to enter, we yeeted out of the Christmas chaos not too long after arriving. It was kind of a bonding through a shared trauma experience. However, we did get on the star-flyer, a magnificent ride and life-changing experience (albeit way too short).

Busking: I tried to busk one time in London while Juliette was at school. I was given a single pound by someone. I think it was out of pity. I think I need to practice guitar more. I also noticed many buskers have tap-pay options, so that is something I might one day look into.

Money: Spending money isn’t always a low, but whenever I spend on something not “worth it”, I feel cheated. Winter Wonderland was maybe an error (although also a bonding experience/fun story to tell). I think I could have planned to get a transportation card as well. I also bought a new pair of off-brand bluetooth earbuds that ended up being broken straight from the box. Overall though, this was still one of the more budget friendly excursions I have taken!

Buffalos:

Hole in the Wall Bagel Shops: SOOOO… In Shoreditch, there are two bagel shops right next to each other. One shop appears to be very popular, with a line that is 20 minutes long. The other has no line, and is super cheap. Go to that one 🙂

Witherspoons: So I heard of this place when I was in Scotland. Basically, it is a chain known for cheap beers. Laura took me, and I feel like I checked off a must do item.

Piggly Wigglys: Laura swore this was the best candy in the UK. I have not tried all of the UK’s candy, so I cannot affirm or deny this declaration. BUT they were pretty fire.

Telephone Box Calls: Thanks to the generosity/pity of that one guy while I was busking, I had a pound in my pocket when we passed the classic red telephone box. I thought I would try to give someone a ring, and I knew my mom was awake. Unfortunately, there was something wrong. It was hard to hear her, but I really wanted to hold onto the call. Therefore, all my mom knew was that I dialed her from an unknown number shouting….

Then, Juliette and I stopped into a Pret for cappuccinos, and I completely forgot to text regarding the context of the call. It did not take long to get a text from her asking if I was alive. Oops, and I’m sorry mom.

“mom, don’t hang up! don’t hang up!”.

Reliving my Mary Poppins Era: Feed the birds. Tuppence a bag. Or just give them part of the cinnamon roll you had.

• Sanitary?…no (I washed my hands in the Buckingham Palace fountain after)
• Good for the birds?… also probably no (shameful face emoji here)
• Kind of fun?…yaaaaa

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