Theatre in 2022

On December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 By notyouravggiraffeIn UKLeave a comment

Now that I’m living in London, I have to take advantage of the easy access I have to the theatre (although sometimes, this is to the detriment of my bank account). Since Covid is still a thing, I’m not going as often as I might’ve gone in the “before times,” but I still tried to fill my 2022 with as much theatre as possible. I figured I’d do a little write up to look back on them all, so here we go!

8 January – A Christmas Carol: The Old Vic

After a particularly stressful week at work, I decided to treat myself to a £30 day seat for the closing performance of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic. Yes, I’d seen it already, but I’d seen it at the start of the run, and you could tell everyone had settled into the show much more by closing. It was still just as moving and joyful as it had been when I saw it six weeks earlier, and the close to one minute standing ovation they received at the end was entirely well deserved.

9 February – Six: Vaudeville Theatre

I last saw Six in 2019, so it felt like it had been enough time to see it again! It’s an 80 minute show with no interval, and tells the her-story of Henry VIII’s six wives. It’s such a fun show, with phenomenal vocals, and I think is a good show for theatre lovers, and non-theatre lovers alike because of its pop concert style of staging.

26 February – Mary Poppins: Prince Edward Theatre

As soon as Mary Poppins opened on the West End a few years ago, I was desperate to see this production, but unfortunately living on the wrong continent to do so. I saw it in October, and knew I’d be back because it’s truly so joyful (and partially also to try and learn some more of the choreography because I’ll tell you, it would be a dream to learn Step in Time). Tickets are generally pretty expensive for Mary Poppins if you want to be in the stalls, but they have £30 day seats you can try for at 10:30am every day there’s a performance. I managed to nab some row M seats (which are typically £65), so I can’t complain!

13 March – Doctor Who: Time Fracture: UNIT HQ

This wasn’t a classic theatre experience, but rather an immersive one. It starts with the premise that audience members are volunteers, sent to London by The Doctor on a mission to help rescue the universe. Only problem is that the two weeks we thought we’d have becomes 90 minutes, and you’re quickly hurled back in time to try and mend the fractures in time! There are supposedly 17 worlds you can explore, and every time you visit you’ll get a different experience as actors pull you in different directions, down different story lines (there are 13 possible ones in total). I got to visit William Shakespeare, the pigs from Angels Take Manhattan, Torchwood, Leonardo DaVinci, and more. It was honestly really cleverly done, and I could easily see myself going back. The second half after the interval lost its momentum a little, but the first half more than made up for that. The only recommendation I’d give would be to go with friends – there is a part (or two) when you might want a hand to hold!

28 March – Small Island: The National Theatre

I’ll confess that I saw this same play back in summer of 2019, and during the lockdown when the National was broadcasting a play a week, but I love it so much that when I saw it was back at the National for a limited run, I couldn’t resist. I was able to nab a £10 Entry Pass ticket (their discount ticket scheme for 18-25 year olds), and a front row seat no less! It was very up close, but that meant I could really look at the costumes, wigs, and set. It’s such a beautifully moving piece, and was well worth losing some sleep for the 3 hour run time to see it!

The National Theatre in London, England, UK — The National Theatre lit up after the evening’s performance

9 April – & Juliet: Shaftesbury Theatre

This show has been somewhat on my list for a while, especially as it was unique to the West End until later in the year. It’s a jukebox musical, which can be hit or miss, but I thought they transitioned into the songs pretty seamlessly. The whole premise asks what would’ve happened in Shakespeare’s famous play if Juliet hadn’t killed herself, and goes on to unravel as William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway battle it out for who is the superior writer (as a side note, I’m fully obsessed with how they portray Anne Hathaway in this show, and all the female empowerment that comes with it). It was definitely a high energy show, and a fun time! I’ll admit that it took a few days for me to fully get into it, and want to see it again (and believe me, I went back to see it at least one more time ;)), but we did eventually get there! It’s really just a fun night out – highly recommend. I also desperately want to learn all the choreography so there’s that as well!

& Juliet stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, England, UK — I managed to snag £25 rush tickets, and couldn’t complain at all about the view!

24 May – The Mousetrap: St Martin’s Theatre

After seeing so many shows in the West End, it felt like it was high time I saw the longest running one. The Mousetrap has just entered its 70th year, and it’s still a popular night out in London. I took advantage of their day seats, which are a lovely £19.52 (in honor of 70 years), and got front row seats to an evening performance. It ended up being only the second performance of a new cast, which is always a fun coincidence. I don’t feel the need to necessarily return any time soon, but I’m glad I can now say I’ve seen it! The script is a little dated at times, but it’s a good, classic murder mystery, and no, I won’t be revealing the ending!

28 May – Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare’s Globe

As the weather starts getting nicer, the prospect of outdoor theatre comes about, and what better way to start it than with Shakespeare’s Globe? Much Ado About Nothing is by far my favorite Shakespeare play, so I’m always happy to see it. I’ll say this rendition did feel a little long, but it still captured the comedy, and what I love about the play.

10 June – Frozen: Theatre Royal Drury Lane

For as much as I love going to Disney properties, Disney musicals have never been top of my list of “must-sees.” That being said, I’ve had some friends recommend it, and I seem to constantly get content from West End Disney actors on TikTok, so I thought it was finally time to get myself to see Frozen. Disney does something called Magical Mondays, which every Monday at 12pm, they release a certain number of tickets for that week’s shows at £25. I did that, and ended up in a nice stalls seat, so I can’t complain there. I haven’t been to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane since I saw 42nd Street in 2017, and they’ve redone the space since then, but anyway, I did enjoy the show. It’s not one I feel the need to go see again I’ll admit, but they’ve added some songs from the film, and yes, there is the classic dress quick change in Let it Go. Overall, it was a good evening, and I’m glad to be able to say I’ve seen it.

17 June – Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World: Stratford East

As much as I love West End theatres, London offers so many opportunities to see other shows outside of that area. I headed out to Stratford (in London, not where Shakespeare is from) for the final preview performance of Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World, and I had a lovely time! It was a short 85 minute show with no interval, aimed at young children, but the messages they were conveying were applicable to all ages. Throughout the show, you’re introduced to several “fantastically great women who changed the world,” with catchy tunes, and overall I thought it was a really cute, and fun show.

18 June – Legally Blonde: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Seeing an outdoor show in the UK is a risk, but it’s something I’d never done, and this production felt like the perfect first one. The theatre is located in Regent’s Park, and there aren’t really any bad seats. I came prepared with a poncho (which was needed), and had a lovely evening. We did have two weather related show stops, so the run time was definitely long, but it was a fun production, and the rain wasn’t too hard so it wasn’t unbearable. Legally Blonde is an excellent musical, and this production was no exception!

25 June – West End Live: Trafalgar Square

Every summer, the West End productions of London come together for West End Live, where they all perform throughout the day in 10-15 minute intervals. It’s a free musical theatre festival in Trafalgar Square, and I’ve never been in London for it, so I figured now was a good time to attend! I had to queue for close to four hours before I actually got into Trafalgar Square, but I was waiting in an area where I had a clear view of a screen, so I only missed two performances of the day. I went on day one, and got to see performances from Legally Blonde, Wicked, & Juliet, Mamma Mia, Come From Away, Bonnie & Clyde, Grease, Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Jersey Boys, Six, and more! It really was quite the event, and I’m so glad I was able to attend. I already can’t wait for West End Live 2023!

Come From away finished out the day’s performances!

25 June – Anything Goes: Barbican Theatre

As if spending the morning at West End Live wasn’t enough, I went to see an evening performance, too! Through Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass, I was able to get £5 tickets to see the opening night performance of Anything Goes, and I jumped on the chance! I’d seen this production in New York with Sutton Foster ages ago, but I love the tap in it, and the show in general. The seats I had were amazing, and I was absolutely blown away by Kerry Ellis as Reno Sweeney. The show was just as good as I’d remembered it, and I’m so glad I was able to see it in London!

When there’s a photo opportunity, I just can’t resist!

27 June – My Fair Lady: London Coliseum

My Fair Lady has always held a somewhat special place in my heart, so when I saw it was being performed in London, I knew I wanted to go see it. I got myself £20 balcony seats, and to my surprise, they upgraded me to the dress circle when I arrived! It’s a long show, and I’ll admit that it felt a bit small for such a big theatre, but I did enjoy it. I also liked the ending they opted for, and the costumes were beautiful.

21 July – & Juliet: Shaftesbury Theatre

Okay, I know this is cheating a little because I’ve seen it before, but it was truly the only show I saw in July! It was a front row view, though, so no complaints (even if it was a bit restricted). I don’t really have much more to add from what I wrote in April, but know that I’m still just as obsessed with this show as I was then, and I’m still desperately trying to learn all the choreography! (If the casting director ever reads this, yes, I would happily join as one of the players please and thank you).

13 August – Crazy For You: Chichester Festival Theatre

I’ve long been aware of Chichester Festival Theatre, but I hadn’t made the journey down there until this year. They were putting on Crazy For You, which has always held a special place in my heart (throwback to learning a tap routine to I Got Rhythm), and it felt like a perfect reason to head south. I absolutely loved it so much, and am so glad I went down to see it. The choreography was phenomenal (I genuinely want to know how many pairs of Laducas they have in that production), and it was so well done. My tickets were only £5 through Chichester’s Prologue scheme for 18-30 year olds, which is an incredible initiative! If you’re curious about my day in Chichester, I wrote a small write-up about it!

5 September – Much Ado About Nothing: The National Theatre

Even though I already saw a production of Much Ado this year, seeing as it’s my favorite Shakespeare play, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see it at The National as well. Starring Katherine Parkinson as Beatrice and John Heffernan as Benedict, this was everything I wanted in a production of Much Ado. It managed to find the comedy in so many places (including ones I wouldn’t normally have labeled as comedic moments), and the whole staging of it was just so clever. I managed to get £10 Friday Rush tickets, and they were absolutely worth it. It was a great production, and I’m sure I’ll watch the NT Live version of it one day just to relive it.

You can never go wrong with a night at The National!

9 October – Back To The Future: Adelphi Theatre

When I was little, I used to be obsessed with the Back To The Future trilogy, so it made sense that I should try and see the version of it on stage. I saw a Sunday matinee, and the first thing that struck me was that the entire theatre has been redone to fit the vibe of the show. I think the show did a good job at staying true to the films, and you could tell the actors were also imitating the film (sometimes really well, too)! I found the music difficult to understand – it felt like as soon as more than one person was singing, the words all become muffled, and the sound balance wasn’t great. None of the songs were ones that I walked out of the theatre humming, but it was an enjoyable show. The car at the end especially is worth it, just for those effects alone!

One of the many decorations in the theatre itself to set the mood!

4 November – The Choir of Man: Arts Theatre

When I saw an excerpt of Choir of Man during West End Live, I knew that it was a show I wanted to see. It didn’t disappoint. I got £20 rush tickets in the circle, and it was such a joyous, fun 90 minute show. There’s no interval, and the premise is that you’re in a pub for the night, and the regulars all form a choir. They sing popular songs (I knew some of them – like Adele’s Hello, Fun’s Some Nights, and ‘If You Like Piña Coladas”), and all of the nine men on stage also play various musical instruments. There was even some tap dancing, so I was immediately sold. Overall, it was just a really fun show, and if you’re one of the lucky audience members sitting in the stalls, you might even get pulled up on stage and given a free drink!

23 November – The Upstart Crow: Apollo Theatre

This play was on in London in 2020, and I was desperate to see it then, but for obvious reasons (not just the fact that I was in the US at the time), I didn’t get to see it. When it came back for a limited run, I knew I wanted to catch it, and it didn’t disappoint. The ticket prices were fairly high, so I opted to try for a rush ticket, and thankfully got one! It was as funny as the television show, and very clever. Lots of Shakespeare references, both in terms of quotes, but also plot lines and characters. I would say my highlight was the dancing bear, both because of the dancing, but also in the way it tied in with Shakespeare’s famous stage directions!

29 November – A Christmas Carol: The Old Vic

Just as I started off the year, I saw A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic as one of my last shows of the year. It’s tradition at The Old Vic, and I think I might make it my own to start off the year and end it with the show, now. The show was the same, albeit with a different cast. Mince pies were served to be eaten there and then, but the stage stalls view was still as incredible as it was at the start of the year. I still love how beautiful this particular production is, and how magical it feels (even with Brussel sprouts falling from the ceiling at one point).

11 December – Mother Goose: Hackney Empire

The year had to end with a panto (oh yes it did!), and while there are far too many to choose from in London, I opted for Mother Goose at The Hackney Empire. It was everything you’d want from a panto – audience participation, an evil villain to boo, rude jokes, and music (although I didn’t know most of the songs they used, so that bit was a little less entertaining than some others I’ve seen in the past, I’ll admit). Pantos are such a fun British tradition, and I enjoy partaking in it. I even came out of the performance to heavily falling snow, which felt very right for having just seen a panto!

There you have it, my theatre viewings from 2022! It’s not nearly as many as I would’ve liked, but considering the state of the world, and some other variables, I think averaging one show a month is pretty good! Not to mention that 2022 saw me performing in my first amdram show in London as well, so it has been a fairly theatrical year. Here’s to more theatre in 2023!

Saying farewell to 2021!

On December 30, 2021December 29, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m doing my best to ignore that yet another year has gone by (and the fact that despite my best wishes, the pandemic is still a thing), but this past year has been full of excitement and I thought I’d try and sum it up a little! Despite the pandemic, I spent 2021 in three different countries, and while I’ve documented a lot of it on here, I couldn’t help myself from summarizing it in a nice little list. In the past 12 months, I:

Spent the first four months working in Dijon, France
Baked several loaves of challah
Got my three doses of the Covid vaccine (and a fun sticker to go along with it each time)
Experienced record breaking 115ºF heat
Took nine nasal swab Covid tests, and way more lateral flow tests
Moved to London
Completed the Tower Challenge in York
Saw a handful of shows (fully masked)
Had a few successful TikToks

Young woman smiling with an "I got my COVID-19 vaccine" sticker on her index finger — The sticker was (almost) more exciting than the vaccine itself

Okay, I know that when written out in a list, it doesn’t seem that impressive, but I’m super proud of myself for all of it (even the Covid tests, because that’s just been a part of this year). 2021 will forever be the year where I achieved my goal of moving to London, and even with the struggles that have come along with that, I can’t get over the fact that I actually managed to do it. When the year ends, I’ll have spent nearly four months here, and not only have those months been amazing, but I feel like I’ve managed to do a fair amount, even with the stress of moving and pandemic restrictions. Some highlights include:

Visiting Hampton Court Palace
Touring Arsenal Stadium (did I decide to support them purely because their mascot is a dinosaur? I’ll never tell)
Finding green spaces to wander (I personally really enjoy Hampstead Heath at the moment)
Watching Tower Bridge lift several times
Starting a new job
Consuming a ridiculous amount of Pret barista made beverages because of their subscription
Going back to the theatre (I managed to see seven performances in my four months in London in 2021)

Young woman stands in front of the pitch at Arsenal Stadium during an Arsenal Stadium Tour — All we’re missing for the perfect photo is Gunnersaurus!

I think that’s a fair amount to have accomplished in a small amount of time, don’t you? I’m so excited to see what future months in London have in store for me, and I’m even more excited to experience living somewhere in a permanent way, and all that entails (the longest I’ve spent in one place that isn’t where I was born was nine months, so I’ll be excited to pass that date in 2022). I still have a list a mile long of things I’d like to do in London, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to make a dent in that as the next year progresses. I’m also just eager to see all the personal growth I’m sure I’m going to do, both from a professional angle, as well as a personal one.

Young woman in a striped shirt and jeans stands in front of a red telephone box in London, England, UK — 2021 was the year London called!

I was re-reading my 2019 recap post (somehow I forgot to do one for 2020, whoops), and I wrote that “obviously the future isn’t crystal clear.” The irony that that statement is just as true now as it was then (and even more so now I feel) isn’t lost on me, and it almost feels silly to make any kind of resolutions or goals when we have no idea what 2022 might look like. Here’s to hoping the next year is a good year, nonetheless – happy new year!

The Holidays in London!

On December 24, 2021December 24, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UK1 Comment

Despite it feeling like I’ve just arrived in London, believe it or not, it’s been over two months and now I’m rolling into my first holiday season as a full time London resident! This isn’t my first holiday season spent in London, but it feels a little different this time since I’m not fully experiencing it for the first time. Since London is absolutely massive, there’s no way that I’ll be able to see and do it all, but I figured I’d document the season as I went along with some highlights and what not! I’ll admit that I didn’t get up to, or see, quite as much as I wanted to, but I still managed to get a little festive!

Lights and Decorations

London goes hard when it comes to lights and decorations for the holidays. The places you can visit that are decked out are truly endless. I work in central London, so I end up frequenting Oxford Street on a lot of days just by virtue of it being on my commute. Almost all the shops have some form of festive lights, and then of course, the street itself is draped with hanging stars. Moving a little further on, you’ll encounter the angels at Regent’s Street, or the Kaleidoscope of Love with brightly colored butterflies hidden down Carnaby Street. I also stopped by Seven Dials near Covent Garden for their Winter Festival. I didn’t really find a lot of the things they had going on, but I did get to see the lights, and see it all decorated. Covent Garden put up a lego carousel display, and even had an hourly snowfall (which I’ll admit wasn’t super impressive in person, but still is a fun idea as something to have)!

With the sun setting around 3:50pm (I know, it’s ridiculously early now), I feel like you get more time in the day to admire the lights (which I guess is one perk of such an early sunset). It does help brighten up the mood a little bit!

Oxford Street in the early morning, with Bond Street tube station visible on the right hand side in London, England, UK — An early morning on Oxford Street

Carnaby Kaleidoscope on Carnaby Street in London, England, UK. There are butterflies and rainbows strewn between buildings. — Carnaby Street’s theme was Kaleidoscope of Love this year: filled with butterflies, rainbows, and bright colors!

A Santa and two Christmas trees made out of legos in Covent Garden, London, England, UK — Covent Garden’s Lego display!

Since I have a Historic Royal Palaces membership this year, I also went to the Tower of London for their “Christmas at the Tower” special. It wasn’t quite to the extent that Hampton Court Palace had been for Halloween, but they’d put up some trees, and displays of menageries around outside. All the exhibits remained the same, but it was nice to have some festive decorations up in areas where there normally wouldn’t be any! Sometimes less is more, as they say.

A big gold crown covered in flowers, with a lion in the middle of it, surrounded by presents outside the Tower of London in London, UK. In the background, you can also see Tower Bridge. — Outside the Tower of London with some festive displays!

Theatre

Being a theatre person, I couldn’t let these months go by without seeing any shows to mark the season! I started in late November with A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic. They put on a rendition written by Jack Thorne, and it was truly heartfelt, beautiful, and so joyful. If I’m being honest, I think it was the best night I had had since moving to London up until that point. I got seats in the front row *on* the stage, and I had the best time. The set was beautiful, acting was impeccable, harmonies in the Christmas carols were stunning, bell ringing was lovely… I could really go on about it because it was just that good. I believe it’s now an Old Vic Christmas tradition, so I might very well make it a part of my yearly plans. Audiences are also treated to a choice between a mince pie or a satsuma upon entering the theatre! Of course I had to go with a mince pie, and it was just the icing on the cake for the most wonderful evening. Being the person that I am, I did go see it again very shortly after seeing it the first time, and it was equally as good that time around. I was pleased to see that the joy it brought me didn’t go away on another viewing. If I could, I’d see it every night just to relive how happy I was in that audience (and to experience it again quite simply because it was *that* good). Truly 5/5 stars, and I think impossible to leave the theatre in a bad (or should I say Scrooge-like) mood.

A big holiday theatre tradition in the UK is pantomimes, or better known as pantos. It’s hard to simply explain what a panto is, but they’re typically fairy tale based, filled with songs (sometimes modern day songs with adapted lyrics, other times completely original pieces), audience participation (the classic bits are a back and forth of “oh no it isn’t,” “oh yes it is” ad infinitum, or “he’s behind you” shouted at the protagonist as he runs away from the villain), and holiday magic. There are countless pantos in London, so of course, I had to make sure I saw at least one (oh yes I did)! They’re silly, and full of humor for both children and adults, and of course, you have to boo the villain whenever they’re on stage. The most magical bit of it is hearing the children in the audience scream at the top of their lungs, and get really invested. I know for many UK children, pantos are their first theatre experiences, and I hope that for at least some of them, it fosters a lifelong love of the arts, and continued theatre visits.

Hanukkah

Since I don’t celebrate Christmas, I do try and mark Hanukkah however I can. In moving, I don’t have a proper menorah with me, but I do have a window cling one, which does take pride of place on a mirror I have in my room (at least I know I’ve got fire safety covered). I did also make sure to head down to Trafalgar Square to see the giant menorah on display there! I only made it on second night, so I didn’t get to see it fully lit, but I will still say that it’s impressive (and I’d argue more so than the Christmas tree they put up there this year).

A menorah lit with two candles and the shamas in Trafalgar Square in London, England

Mince Pies

I would be remiss not to mention my favorite holiday tradition in the UK – mince pies! Unlike what the name might imply, there’s no meat in them (yes, it’s mincemeat inside, I know), and they’re this fruity, heavenly pastry that I honestly could eat way too many of (and probably have). I made it my goal this holiday season to try as many different varieties as I could because unfortunately, you can’t get them year ’round (which is a shame, truly). In case anyone reading this wants a breakdown of the ones I tried, I’ll present to you my ratings, because yes, this was a very important thing to research!

Old Vic: 10/10. This one sits top of my list mainly because of the sentimental value attached to it, but also just because it was truly delicious. The design was beautiful, the filling was perfectly sweet, and as it was my first mince pie of the season, it automatically ranks fairly high!
Pret: 9.5/10. Another beautiful design, and bonus points for the sprinkling of icing sugar on the top. The pastry was so flaky on this one, and excellently thick. Not to mention that there was SO MUCH filling, which is all you can ask for in a mince pie
Sainsbury’s: 7/10. Again, good design on top, but it was very pastry heavy. It took a few bites to get to the sweet filling, and you want that filling to pastry ratio to be better than that (can you see I fully adopted a Bake Off persona while rating these?).
Coop: 5/10. Oof, these were not the mince pies for me. The design was sloppy, and for a mass produced mince pie, you’d expect something of higher quality. The filling was kind of depressing and not very joy inducing, which is really the real reason I eat mince pies so this one didn’t rate very highly for me, unfortunately.
Tesco: 7.5/10. The design felt a bit rushed, and imperfect, but the pastry was delicious. The filling was smooth, with a great taste and texture. Bonus point for the sugar sprinkled on top!

Five mince pies in a plastic container. They are decorated with little Christmas trees — Delicious Sainsbury’s mince pies (as you can see, I’d eaten one already)

I feel like there’s something so special and festive about a holiday season in London that can’t really be beat. There’s just nothing like it elsewhere (that I’ve experienced). They’ve especially gone full out this year given last year had such a damper on it (not that this year doesn’t but when I started writing this post, things weren’t nearly as bad as they are now). Admiring lights and decorations never gets old, and I love how many opportunities there are to do just that in London! Not to mention all the other festive traditions (although I will draw the line at Christmas pudding). I didn’t get around to ice skating, although perhaps I’ll look into that in January. Happy holidays!

Getting a booster jab in the UK!

On December 18, 2021December 18, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UK, Uncategorized2 Comments

When I moved to the UK, boosters for the Covid vaccine were already starting to roll out across the US, so I figured at one point or another, I would have to navigate getting one in the UK. I couldn’t really find much out there about getting a booster as someone who had their first two doses abroad, so I thought I’d throw a post together in case someone comes looking (not sure I attract that much traffic, but hey, why not)!

Since I’m under 30, I was in the last age bracket to become eligible for the booster in the UK. That day came on Wednesday, December 15. Most people were advised to book their booster online as soon as they were eligible. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t do that. Even though I have an NHS number, and have registered my first two doses with my GP, those doses aren’t registered in the NHS database. As such, when I tried to make an appointment online, it would only allow me to book a first dose (which then required you to book a second at the same time). I rang 119 (the NHS helpline for Covid) to ask about how to proceed, and they told me to go into a walk-in center. You can find walk-in centers near you by heading here!

When Wednesday rolled around, I rocked up to the walk in center closest to me at opening (which was still one mile away from where I live – about three tube stops and a bit of a walk), and the queue was already very long. I was glad to see how many people were trying to get their booster, but after about two hours, I was disappointed to learn that I was too far back in the queue to be guaranteed a booster that day (and it would still be about a four hour wait even if I was). The staff was very kind though, and suggested returning any other morning, but to be prepared to get there very early, and that’s exactly what I did. I went back to that same center two days later, and started the queue (I was first in line) 2.5 hours before the center even opened. I was alone for about 15 minutes, but by the time I’d been waiting around 90 minutes, I could no longer see the end of the queue.

Shortly before the center opened, they came out to check what dose we were getting, confirm when the date of our last dose was, and to tell us to have our vaccine proof out, as well as our NHS number (if you knew it – some centers don’t require an NHS number to get vaccinated. It just won’t get recorded on your registration if you don’t have one). When I got in the center, I sat in one of 12 plastic chairs, before being motioned up to a table where they took my full name, post code, date of birth, phone number, NHS number, and asked what dose I was getting. After I was signed in, I went back to waiting in the plastic chairs before getting called up to the second table where another worker took my details again, entered in my CDC doses (somewhere, but not in the NHS database), asked me questions related to my medical history, whether I’d had Covid in the last 28 days, a vaccine in the last seven days, if I’d ever had any allergic reactions, you get the gist… Once I’d gone through all those questions, I went back into a makeshift curtained stall with the woman who would be administering my jab. She confirmed all my personal details, asked about my first two doses (again, there’s no evidence of me having gotten them other than my flimsy CDC card), and in which arm I wanted the jab. She was absolutely so kind, and asked if I’d like to have her narrate what she was doing, or if I’d rather talk about something random. She administered the jab, and then gave me a paper NHS card with the lot number and date, which I’ve put into the plastic pocket I have for my CDC card. She also gave me an “I’ve had my Covid vaccination” sticker (although I did ask for one after seeing them on her desk).

Young woman in a blue mask smiling, and holding an "I've had my Covid Vaccination" sticker on her index finger — Forever collecting stickers to celebrate getting jabbed!

Unlike in the US, you’re not required to wait for 15 minutes after getting the jab in the UK. That being said, I always mention when getting vaccines that I have a history of passing out from them (which is true, although it’s not happened recently). The woman who gave me my jab immediately told me that she wanted me to sit in the designated waiting area, and escorted me there. The staff there made sure I sat down, and even brought me a water bottle! I only waited for about five minutes (that’s all I need to know I’m good), but it was lovely to see their kindness and how they’re looking after people heading to the walk-in centers.

Other random observation, but in the center where I went, they didn’t use band-aids for the jab, but rather a cotton ball and tape! It doesn’t really matter either way, but I found it an interesting thing to note.

ANYWAY. That was the process of getting the booster! Not counting how long I stood outside queuing, the entire process took about 20 minutes, and that includes me sitting and waiting for a bit. It’s to be seen if I can get the Covid pass from the booster, or if it will show up in my NHS app, but that’s also something I can deal with later (ironically, they’ve just set up a foreign vaccination verification process, and I was meant to have an appointment next week for that, but they’ve cancelled it for me, ostensibly *because* I got the booster. There are now no appointments for that kind of thing anywhere in the country as there are apparently only a handful of computers that can handle that process). I’m just very grateful to have been able to get the booster, and for it to have been relatively painless (the process, my arm on the other hand…).

Long story short, if you’ve not been double jabbed in the UK and can’t book an appointment via the NHS, head to a walk-in center! The earlier you can get there, the better!

As a side note: I checked my NHS app 24 hours after my booster, and my vaccination was in my vaccination record. I also now seem to have a travel Covid Pass. To be determined if it actually works for travel, but it’s all updated and in the system! Now just to get my foreign vaccines certified!

A (spooky) afternoon at Hampton Court Palace

On November 6, 2021November 5, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UK5 Comments

Since this was my first Halloween in London, I wanted to mark the occasion somehow. I’m not a big partier, nor did I want to do anything on a Sunday night (having work the next morning does mean I need at least some sleep), but I still wanted to “celebrate” the day by doing something special. I’ve been meaning to visit Hampton Court Palace for a bit now, and when I saw that they had “Halloween at Hampton Court Palace” running during October half term (which included Halloween itself), it felt like a perfect opportunity! I had a great time, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, both with the spooky Halloween theme, and just in visiting the palace itself. Here’s how my Halloween adventure went down!

Coming up to Hampton Court Palace in London, UK — Walking up to the palace

I had pre-booked my tickets to the palace for 1:00pm (due to the pandemic, all Historic Royal Palaces locations require booking in advance), and CityMapper told me it would take approximately 76 minutes to get from where I live to Hampton Court Palace. A bit of a trek, but not too bad all things considered. To get to the palace via public transportation, you’ll need to take a train to Hampton Court, which you can catch from Waterloo, Vauxhall, or Clapham Junction (those are the stops you can access via the tube). Things were going smoothly until I got to Vauxhall to catch the train, and due to bad weather in the morning (and the night before), every train departing from platform 8 was delayed (all trains from Vauxhall to Hampton Court depart from platform 8, in case you were wondering). Not only were they delayed, but there was no time posted for departure, so it was just me and loads of other people stood on the platform, listening to an endless repetition of “the 11:31 train to Hampton Court is delayed,” “the 11:46 train to Guilford is delayed”… you get the picture. This resulted in me getting on a train much later than I had hoped, but ultimately, I was only around 15 minutes late to my entry time, and they didn’t have any issue with it. It was a bit of a reminder to be alert when catching trains though as they randomly announced that the train to Hampton Court would be departing from platform three, and then by the time I got to that platform, the train was there and almost ready to depart! Thankfully I got on and was on my way!

Getting from the train station to the palace is super easy. There are signs to follow, but essentially, you’ll walk straight out, cross the bridge, and the palace will be slightly beyond that and on the right! As a budgetary side note, my journey from start to finish cost me £11.60 roundtrip paying contactless. I’m pretty sure I was traveling during peak hours for both the train and the tube, but that’s a good ballpark price for getting to Hampton Court Palace from zone 1-2 of London, and back!

Coming up the drive to the palace is a sight to see, and then after my ticket had been scanned, I was greeted by cobwebs and pumpkins everywhere to mark the season. Base Court, where you enter, was also soundtracked by spooky noises to get you into the spirit of Halloween. I started out my afternoon by admiring Base Court, before heading to the cellars for a 20 minute ghost story telling session. The guide informed everyone there about the ghosts that have been seen in the castle, including those that have been seen by staff and guests recently! It was a good way to get myself into the spooky, scary mindset for the rest of my Halloween at Hampton Court adventure. I also picked up a Ghost Hunters Journal, which outlined the seven ghost sightings you might encounter while visiting. They had special areas set up for these sights so you could try to spot them yourself!

Base Court at Hampton Court Palace — Base Court

Photo of Ghost Hunters Journal at Hampton Court Palace during Halloween at Hampton Court Palace — Ready to go ghost hunting!

While the Halloween decorations were exciting, there was still the palace itself to explore. I started my non Halloween visit with Henry VIII’s kitchens. There you can wander through Fish Court, into the massive Great Kitchen, and through the serving place to see how meals would’ve been prepared while Henry VIII ruled. From there you could access the ghostly area of The Sandeman in the cellars. I found the kitchens the quickest area to get through, but it’s astonishing how large it was, and it’s hard to imagine how many people were actually being fed by those kitchens!

Fun side note: Use the toilets off of Base Court (at least the women’s) to use a stall dedicated to one of Henry’s wives. There are six stalls so you could be in a divorced, beheaded, died, or survived stall, and have it be attributed to the proper queen!

Silhouette of Anne of Cleves with "God send me well to keep" underneath in bathroom stalls at Hamp;ton Court — Stall four of six: divorced!

From Henry VIII’s kitchens, you’ll walk through the Anne Boleyn Archway to get to Clock Court. Under the archway though, you can take a left and climb some stairs to get to Henry VIII’s apartments. For Halloween, just before you went in, they had carved seven pumpkins: one to look like Henry VIII, and the other six as his six wives. Quite impressive and cute to say the least!

Seven carved pumpkins: one white one in the middle carved as Henry VIII, and the remaining six as the six wives of Henry VIII — Henry VIII and his six wives in pumpkin form!

Young woman wearing a mask in front of carved pumpkins of Henry VIII and his six wives — It’s the HallowQueens!

The apartments tell the story of Henry’s six wives, while also highlighting the large meals and banquets the king would host. You’ll wander through the Great Hall, which is adorned with tapestries, and beautiful stained glass windows. The tables in the middle of the hall have fun facts written on them so you can read about what life at court was like (mainly from a food perspective), and how you’d be expected to behave had you attended a royal banquet with Henry VIII. You’ll also get to see artwork of Henry VIII, and his various wives, along with his heirs. The ghostly apparition in the apartments was “the shrieking queen,” where you could sit and watch a seance where Catherine Howard made a ghostly appearance.

Big draped banner proclaiming "welcome to Hampton Court" at the entrance of Henry VIII's apartments at Hampton Court Palace — A very royal greeting as you enter Henry VIII’s apartments

Emerging from Henry VIII’s apartments, you can directly go into “Georgian Story” where you’ll go through the Queen’s Guard Chamber, public drawing room, and the Queen’s gallery as you wander through the Georgian impact on Hampton Court Palace. There’s also an art gallery you can visit, as well as a cartoon gallery for more art viewings if that’s of interest to you. Exiting this part of the palace, you can then move onto William III’s apartments. This was more expansive than I thought it would be, and the diagram on the map you can pick up as you enter the palace didn’t portray nearly all that you can see in this area. The rooms are filled with artwork, and you can learn about yet another era of the palace’s history. As you exit into Clock Court, you can look up at the astronomical clock, which is also quite impressive!

Astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace — Gaze up at the astronomical clock from Clock Court

From there, I decided to scope out the remaining spots in my ghost hunters journal so I could make the most of my Halloween at the palace. There was a “Gallery of the Damned” with paintings of Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, William III, Cardinal Wolsey, and more that came to life to depict their tragic deaths. It felt very Disney Haunted Mansion to me, but in a good way! I also visited an area dedicated to “the executioner” and the Grey Lady, both of whom had elaborate set ups to showcase where they’ve been sighted in the past. There were also several employees (actors?) dressed up as the apparitions who wandered certain parts of the grounds, but I’m not entirely sure who they were all representing as they wandered silently. I’m sure one was the Grey Lady, and another was the wandering queen, but my best guess for the others would be a buried workman (he rattled chains so maybe that was a clue?) and there was one other who looked like Louis XIV, but obviously that’s the wrong country! I thought it was all quite clever, and a very fun way to use the superstitions surrounding the palace as educational material while taking advantage of the time of year!

Doorway at Hampton Court Palace decorated with cobwebs and pumpkins — Halloween decorations!

After going through all the indoor areas, I ventured out into the gardens, which are sprawling. There are so many with different names, and I definitely didn’t get to them all (although that’s mainly because it started raining very heavily and I wanted to seek some dry shelter)! There are beautiful fountains though, and in some areas, it felt very Versailles-esque. There’s a canal that runs along part of the gardens, and the grounds are covered with geese. There’s also a giant maze you can get lost in before finding the “quick exit” sign and ducking out lest you get left behind in there (shhh, that’s definitely not what I did).

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Hampton Court Palace! The Halloween decorations, and the spooky ghost hunting made the visit feel that much more fun, and I loved seeing how into it the palace got. From the sounds, the decorations, the special areas… it was very creative, and educational at the same time. They did a great job of balancing out the Halloween themed areas and the actual visiting areas so that it didn’t feel too much like a gimmick, but that instead, it enhanced the visit. I’m sure it’s a lovely visit outside of Halloween, but I’m glad I spent my October 31st at the palace!

Exterior of Hampton Court Palace — Saying goodbye to the palace!

Opening a bank account in the UK (and other things to do when moving to the UK)

On October 23, 2021October 18, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UK2 Comments

It’s a cliché expression, but I can’t believe it’s been over a month since my plane landed at Heathrow airport. I feel like everything has been go, go, go the whole time, so I’m trying to take some time to reflect, and to write about what has been the most stressful part of my move: opening a bank account. It’s one of the big things when you move abroad, but there are certainly others, so I’ll be writing about those as well – hopefully this might help if you’re (thinking of) moving to the UK!

Enjoy a soothing London gif before I dive into the horror of opening bank account here

Opening a bank account in the UK

Since I moved to the UK for a job, opening a bank account was top of my list of priorities because I wanted to be paid. The last time I opened an account in the UK, I was a student, and I’ve since found that the requirements for opening an account as a student are endlessly easier than when you’re here under any other status (essentially as a student, all you need to do is show a letter of acceptance from the university where you’ll be studying and they’ll let you open an account – except at NatWest where they have a three year residency requirement for students wanting to open a student account). It took two weeks for me to find a bank that would accept me, and I’m not going to lie, I cried through the streets of London on a few occasions because of how stressful the whole process was. I’m not sure how helpful writing up my experience will be for future movers to the UK, but in case it is, here’s how it went down.

Before I moved, I made an appointment with Santander online for shortly after my arrival since a lot of banks are currently requiring you make an appointment in advance due to the pandemic. Santander has a bank account that is specially for people who have relocated to the UK within the last twelve months, either to study or to work. Perfect, right? Or so I thought. To open a bank account in the UK, you need proofs of address, and this is a whole catch-22 situation where you sometimes can’t get those proofs without a bank account, but you can’t get a bank account without them (flashbacks to France). Santander required two proofs of address, but would allow me to use a letter from my employer with my UK address as one of them. I had already sorted out my living situation, so I had an address going in, but you can see how this would be problematic if you didn’t have a permanent address, yet. The list of proofs of address you can use is fairly long, but as a non UK citizen, about 1/3 of them weren’t available to me anyway. The bank also wouldn’t accept my lease agreement as I didn’t go through an estate agent, I didn’t have a utility bill or council tax as that’s included in my rent, and I couldn’t provide a bank statement from the UK as I didn’t already have a UK bank account (Monzo is usually recommended but I was denied for reasons beyond my knowledge). I was told that a good workaround is to apply for a provisional driver’s license but that requires sending your passport off, and there’s currently a massive backlog so that would’ve been problematic given that I didn’t want to wait potentially 16 weeks to open a bank account! The first full day I had in London, I rang HMRC to change my address on file so I could get an NiN letter with that on it as Santander had said they’d accept it, but of course, I couldn’t make that phone call until I was physically in the UK (if you don’t already have an NiN, you might have to apply for one – anecdotally I have heard of some people needing one to open a bank account, but that wasn’t ever asked of me).

ANYWAY, I went to my appointment without a second proof of address (as I didn’t have one), and was promptly told they couldn’t do anything until I had one. Since I’d already rung HMRC, I decided to play the waiting game and see when that documentation arrived. It took eight working days, and then I immediately made another appointment for Santander because hooray, I now had the necessary documents! Too bad my HMRC letter didn’t have a date on it so Santander wouldn’t take it (you can imagine my face when the employee told me that). Their suggestion at that point was to either phone HMRC again and wait another 10 working days, or try another bank. I chose the latter, and so began a four hour journey through central London, which was (I’ll admit) a little teary at times.

I went to Barclay’s next and the first branch I stopped in told me their next appointment wasn’t for three weeks, so I ventured further on to another branch, and they told me to download their app to apply. Unfortunately, their app doesn’t work on the US App Store, so I would’ve had to change the region for the App Store, which would then cancel out the subscriptions I have, which… no thank you. It ultimately didn’t matter as they wouldn’t accept my HMRC letter as proof of address, nor would they accept my letter of employment as my employer isn’t registered with UKVI. At this point, I was genuinely asking myself how on earth I was going to get a bank account so that I could get paid!

I googled Lloyd’s and Metro bank, both of whom either required a dated HMRC letter, or other proofs of address that I didn’t have as someone who had just moved (funny how you can be hired by a company in the UK, be on a contract where you’re paid in £ and still be told they won’t let you open a bank account). I was about to give up when I happened upon an HSBC. I was pretty sure based on my research that it wouldn’t be an option, but I decided to give it one last go anyway. They let me apply with just my letter of employment from my employer! I had to do the application process online in the branch and then wait while they processed it – I wasn’t approved for the account they had recommended I apply for, but they did approve me for another one and at that point, I was so desperate just to get an account going that I took it and RAN. I truly can’t believe how hard it is to open a bank account here. I thought France was the worst, but the UK manages to eclipse that entirely.

If you’re moving to the UK for work, here are some items you can use as proof of address so you can have that list handy (although know that every bank will have their own idiosyncrasies so do a quick Google beforehand if you can):

Letter of employment from employer (this needs to be on letterhead paper with the name of your employer, your full name, your UK address, and salary information, all signed by someone in HR)
Council Tax statement (this is something all UK residents other than students pay so get that set up ASAP if not included in your rent)
Utilities bill (again, need to get it set up since you have to show a letter with your address on it, and it might take a while to generate the statement, assuming utilities aren’t included in your rent)
Lease agreement (this tends to need to be from an Estate Agent or a registered letting company, so if you do a bare lease agreement or something with family/private, it might not work)
Provisional Driving License (you can apply for this once you’re in the UK, but it will require sending off your passport/BRP to DVLA [depending on your status in the UK])
HMRC tax statement (only works if you’ve worked in the UK before)
National Insurance Number Letter from HMRC (if you already have an NiN, you can ring them to change your address and they’ll send you a new letter. Make sure it’s dated as banks tend to have a clause of “dated within the last three months”. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait to get your NiN as you can’t ring HMRC to do that)
Bank statement from a UK bank account (this is where Monzo comes in handy, although they’ve tightened their requirements for approval so it’s hit or miss if they’ll approve you. You can only open a Monzo account once you’re in the UK)

Additionally, you’ll need to show a proof of identity which will either be a UK/Irish passport, or a non UK/Irish passport with your right to live inside or your BRP (being a visitor or a tourist doesn’t tick this box). Americans also need to know their Social Security Numbers (you don’t have to show proof of it, though) as due to FATCA, all foreign bank accounts have to be declared.

I did get my debit card within a week of opening the account, though, and the PIN as well so that was quick! I knew opening a bank account would be difficult, but I genuinely had no idea how stressful it would be. If you manage to open an account with just a letter of employment (as I did), and are using a temporary address (like an AirBnb or a friend’s place), be sure you’ll be there long enough to receive your card and PIN as those will come through the post.

Registering with a GP

In addition to opening a bank account once I got here, I also needed to register with a GP. I had an NHS number from when I studied abroad, but the surgery where I’d been registered was local to where I studied abroad, and not where I’m now living in London (and you need to be registered with a GP that services the postcode where you live). If you don’t already have an NHS number, you’ll have to get one at some point, although I’m not sure if you need it to register or if you can do it without (assuming you weren’t automatically registered with your visa type). This process involves going onto the NHS website to find what GPs might service your catchment (and I say might as they might service the first letter and number of your postcode, but not the last three), and then investigating if they’re accepting new patients. If they are, you can apply to register there. I was able to do it online, and now I’ve got a GP in the UK. I’ll comment that I received no notification that I’d been registered so phoned up to confirm, but the process was quick and easy (I was registered in two days). My only big gripe is that the UK hasn’t yet come up with a way to register Covid vaccinations from abroad. While it’s noted in my file at my GP, I can’t have access to the Covid Pass, and if they start rolling out boosters to the general public, it’s going to be a mess to get that as the NHS has no record of me having gotten the first two doses (fun things to deal with in the future).

As a side note, A&E (Accident and Emergency) care is free to anyone, whether you’re registered with a GP or not! There is a triage system in place, so you might have to wait a bit of time, but you can access that care if you need it. You can also phone 111 to speak with an NHS advice professional who can instruct you on further steps for your care.

Getting a phone number

When you initially arrive in the UK, you’ll want a phone number. The best way to start is with a Pay As You Go plan. This will give you one month of data/texts/minutes. I started out buying a SIM from Three, but then when my month was up, I switched to EE because they have better service, and I could get WiFi in tube stations (which is something I missed while on Three). Unfortunately, without a British bank account, you can’t get on a monthly phone contract, and even with one, you’ll have to pass a credit check. I’m currently on a rolling monthly contract so I’m not locked into anything (always a little worried the world will flip upside down again), but if things start to look super permanent for me, then I’ll consider transitioning to a 12 month contract. The benefit of my switching out of Pay As You Go, though is also that since I’m now on a contract, it will start contributing to my credit score in the UK! This is especially a big deal as there isn’t really any other way for me to build credit currently, as I’m ineligible for any UK credit cards without at least three months residency (and most require even more, sometimes even up to three years!).

Those are the biggest things (to me at least) when it comes to moving to the UK! It’s certainly overwhelming, and over a month in, I’m still getting used to everything, but at least I’ve sorted most of the bureaucratic things (until tax season comes around, ugh). I hope this was somewhat helpful if you’ve got your sights set on the UK, or are in the process of making plans to move there. Please let me know if I’ve forgotten anything, though!

Wandering around London

On September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn Travel, UK3 Comments

It’s been almost two years since I was last in London, and being back after that amount of time meant that I had to revisit some of my favorite places. It being London, of course, my first day was grey and overcast (although luckily the rain stayed away from the majority of the day). I love being back, and part of what I love so much about revisiting places, is getting to see them again with slightly different eyes – this time, it’s revisiting after not only a long break, but also with a hint of pandemic (and now viewing the city as the place where I live, rather than just a place I’m visiting).

Young woman stands in front of a red telephone booth in London — London’s calling!

Despite the fact that travel to the UK has reopened, London feels emptier than when I’ve been before. I’ve never felt less jostled or surrounded by people than I have wandering around these past few days. I’ve taken some very touristy photos that I’ve felt too awkward to take in years past because there have been so few people around. That’s not to say that there’s nobody around anywhere, but it’s certainly not what I’ve experienced in peak tourist season (which is what it still is, to be fair). Some areas are still quite hustle and bustle, but others are shockingly deserted.

Young woman stands in front of the front gates of Buckingham Palace in London — I’ve never seen the front gates of Buckingham Palace this empty

The first bit of sightseeing I did was to revisit the Sky Garden. The only other time I’ve done this was when I studied abroad in 2016, so it’s been some time. The experience and the view were virtually identical to what I remember them being, but since Sky Garden tickets are free, I can’t really complain. Plus, it’s never not fun to get a view from 35 stories up of London!

View from the Sky Garden in London — The Shard and the Thames from the balcony of the Sky Garden

One of my favorite walks in London is along the South Bank. Starting at the Eye (although I prefer to start at Southbank Centre to avoid the crowd that can gather in front of the Eye), you’ll walk past the National Theatre, the Globe, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge (the bridge destroyed by death eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but also a bridge you can walk across to get to Saint Paul’s), and then I typically stop at Tower Bridge. When the weather is nice, you’ll get beautiful views stretching down the Thames as well. There are also some great outdoor restaurants along the South Bank where you can partake in outdoor dining (when the weather is nice), and have a lovely view of the Thames.

young woman stands with arms outstretched with Saint Paul's in the background — Hands in the air if you’re excited to be in London!

Something new I decided to do was visit Kensington Palace. I’ve wandered around the gardens before (although on the side closer to Hyde Park), but I’ve never made it into the Palace before. I had to prebook tickets for a designated time slot (I’m not sure if this was the case pre pandemic), but entry was easy. You can take the rooms at your own pace, but it took me about an hour from start to finish to walk through the Jewel Room, Queen Victoria’s childhood, the King (George II) and Queen (Mary II)’s state apartments, and the special Royal Style exhibit. Without needing to enter the palace, you can see the Princess Diana status and garden located very close to the entrance. Once you’re done with the palace, you can wander through Kensington Gardens, and over into Hyde Park – if you go far enough, you’ll end up at Buckingham Palace! You can also stop to have tea inside or just outside the gift shop.

Kensington Palace in London — View from outside Kensington Palace

Another fun thing that’s happened is I’ve gotten to see Tower Bridge open twice! That area of London isn’t one that I’ve massively frequented in the past, so I never timed it right to see it happen, but I managed to catch it twice in two days within my first week in London. It’s a very fast process (a far cry from the Interstate Bridge between WA and OR – if you know, you know), and it’s quite cool to see it up close. I managed to see it once from afar, and once from the pedestrian walkway on the bridge (as they say, it’s all in the timing).

Tower Bridge lifting in London, UK — Watching Tower Bridge lift

As another way of recreating my first time in London five years ago, I decided to visit the Tower of London again, something I did in my first weeks in London all those years ago. It’s been enough time that I remembered some of it, but certainly not all of it. Given the pandemic, you have to prebook your tickets for one of three allotted time slots (10:00, 12:00, or 14:00), but tickets were pretty easy to book. In some areas of the Tower, it felt very crowded, and others felt fairly empty, but I can’t imagine what it would be like without them restricting numbers to a certain extent. The indoor exhibits were where you felt the crowd the most, I’ll say. As with all the Historic Royal Palaces, you get to see history, and learn all about it. The Tower is where Anne Boleyn was famously beheaded, where the Crown Jewels are kept, and of course, the home of the ravens (and so much more). I managed to spend a solid three hours there, which is in line with the amount of time they say you should allow. It’s pretty easy to navigate, and a definite must visit!

White Tower at the Tower of London in London, UK — The White Tower at the Tower of London

Historic Royal Palaces tip: If you’re thinking of visiting Kensington Palace and the Tower of London, or any combination of the sites included in the Historic Royal Palaces, think about purchasing a membership, or upgrading your first full price ticket to a membership. At £59, this ends up being cheaper than purchasing multiple entrance tickets, especially if the two sites you want to visit are Kensington Palace and the Tower of London. If you’re like me and have just moved to London, you’ll then get one year of free entrance to any of the Historic Royal Palaces sites!

As another fun little way to celebrate my moving to the UK, I decided to partake in an afternoon tea! Since this is London, there are countless places to do this, at various price points. If you want to fully indulge, you can do Fortnum and Mason’s afternoon tea, which is divine in so many ways, but does run a steep price tag. If you’re more on a budget (like me), you can still fully partake in the afternoon tea tradition. I opted for a £15 tea at Cafe Rouge, and while that’s a chain, I have no complaints about the food! I was given my pot of English breakfast tea, and then some savories (mini jambon beurre baguette, mini brie baguette, a sausage roll, and a vegetable quiche), and some sweets (a lemon meringue tart, chocolate cake, a mini orange chocolate gateau, and a scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam – the true highlight of tea)! It was definitely enough food to eat, and you can never go wrong with a pot of tea.

Young woman sits holding a cup of tea with a tray of food from afternoon tea at Le Cafe Rouge in London, UK — Keep calm and drink tea, right?

Obviously my wanderings have barely scratched the surface of all London has to offer, but since I’m here for a while now, I know that I have the time to see all my old haunts, and to discover some new ones as well! I can’t get over the fact that I get to (for the foreseeable) call London home, and wander the streets whenever I want. It feels like this has been a longtime goal of mine, and I can’t quite describe what it feels like to have achieved it (although really, that’s a whole other blog post). I’m not fully employed, so my free time is more limited than when I first moved over, but I’ll be doing my best to enjoy London – even just being here is enough some days – but here’s to more London wanderings!

Moving to the UK!

On September 12, 2021September 12, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn UKLeave a comment

I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog the past few weeks, and while a lot of that is due to the fact that I haven’t been up to much, it’s also because I’ve been preparing for an(other) international move! This time, I’m headed to London. I’m absolutely thrilled to be heading back to the UK, and to be doing so for a job, since that feels way more adult and legit (and in a different way than my experience with TAPIF, not to disparage that at all, but this has more of a long lasting feeling). Much as it feels weird to write, this move has the makings of being a more permanent one, so the process has been overwhelming to say the least! With that in mind, I figured I’d write up a little bit about the process, since it’s not all been super smooth and easy.

Pre-departure preparation

As with any kind of move, there was a lot of packing to be done. Luckily, I had been planning on moving to the UK in September anyway (the initial plan had been grad school but sometimes life hands us different plans, and that’s okay!), so it wasn’t like I was completely unprepared when it came to figuring out what I would bring. Once again, I was thrown back into the mindset of weeding through my closet to decide what clothes I wanted to bring, what shoes were coming along (and trust me, it was a lot), and anything else that I wanted to have immediately. It’s always a weird feeling to try and pack up your life, and you’d think after the several times I’ve done it that it would be a piece of cake, but alas, it only gets marginally easier each time. All I can say is thank goodness for space bags.

Pandemic Travels

Much like when I went over to France, pandemic restrictions are still in place. Unlike last time though, more is open so more people are traveling, and you can definitely feel it in the airports (and even in checking my seat assignments before leaving). The UK currently requires a negative Covid test taken within three days of departure, based on the date of departure of the flight that will actually take you to the UK (I had to take two flights given that no non-stops were running from PDX). It’s a bit confusing compared to France’s 72 hour requirement, but it’s three calendar days – I left Wednesday September 8, and was tested Sunday, September 5 to ensure I had the results back in time (my provider where I was tested was estimating 48-72 hour turnaround time, but it ended up being just over 24 hours so it was fine anyway). The US is currently an amber list country, but vaccinated Americans are given the same treatment as travelers coming from green list countries – no need for isolation, and a requirement to take another Covid test within two days of arrival. Unvaccinated Americans are classed with any other amber list traveler, and must isolate for 10 days, taking tests on days two and eight (with an option to book an additional day five test for test and release). Any tests must be booked before arrival, and you have to fill out the information on the Passenger Locator Form (which will include a unique code given to you when you book your Covid test), which also indicates where you will be staying and your purpose of travel, within 48 hours of your arrival into the UK. Here are all the documents I needed:

LIST OF REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Passport
Boarding pass
Negative Covid test, taken within three days of boarding flight to the UK
Passenger Locator Form (with unique reference code for prebooked day two test)
CDC vaccination card

Although the journey was long, it was fairly painless (other than the backs of my ears, which by hour ten of the journey were less than happy from the mask – I’d love to hear earsaver techniques, I am ALL EARS, pun intended). Due to it being an international flight, I was unable to check in online with Delta, and had to wait to do so at the airport, so that meant allowing slightly more time in the morning before my flight. In Portland, they verified my Covid test, vaccination card, and passport before issuing me my boarding pass. I had to first fly to Atlanta, and although the flight was pretty full, it wasn’t as full as my app had indicated it might be (no complaints from me)! As they’ve been for several months now, masks were required on both legs of my journey, and just like when I flew to France, I had no issues with it (other than the ear thing, but that’s because I went in a KN95 this time instead of a cloth mask so the straps were less forgiving). The three hour layover in ATL went pretty quickly, given that around 45 minutes before boarding started, everyone was called to the gate so they could verify our documents. There they checked covid tests, vaccination cards, passenger locator forms, and passports, before writing all that information down and putting a red sticker on my boarding pass to indicate I’d cleared document check. They were making people fill out the locator form if they hadn’t done so before they’d be considered fully checked in, so that’s a much needed document (in addition to everything else). The flight to London was pretty good, all things considered. There was dinner and lunch service, plus some good snacks so can’t complain about that! I was able to watch the new David Copperfield film, and apart from the uncomfortable headphones, and the fact that the flight tracker map didn’t work (I might be the only one, but it’s absolutely one of my favorite parts about flying), I enjoyed my flight, and was able to sleep for a lot of it. Delta isn’t currently running flights to the UK from the US, so I flew with Virgin Atlantic (a codeshare). I’ve never flown them before, but I enjoyed their service and the experience was comparable to the flights I’ve taken with Delta. Other than some pre-departure drama involving a cancelled flight with no notification, the whole process of flying during this next phase of the pandemic wasn’t horrible.

Customs at Heathrow oddly didn’t feel that much different than in non-pandemic times. Since I used an EU passport (although this applies to UK citizens, US passport holders, and a handful of other country passports), I used the E-gates. Nobody checked any of my documents once I arrived in London, but if you can’t use the E-gates, they absolutely will, and if there are any problems with the E-gates, customs can check those documents, too. Getting my bags took a while, and because I have so much stuff (moving will do that to you), I took a cab to where I was staying instead of trying to navigate the tube (which I would’ve done given any other circumstance). The traffic was absolutely horrific, and for that alone, if you can take the tube, do it.

Some ambiance lighting (and orange juice) to set the mood for the long flight to London

After Arrival: the Practical Things

After I was able to unload all my things, the first task I had to conquer was getting my day two Covid test taken. You can do this anytime between arrival (day 0) and day two, so I booked mine for the same day I arrived just so I could get it done. There’s a long list of providers you can use, and you can opt to have it swabbed by a professional, or to have a kit mailed to you. Considering I was staying at an AirBnb, and didn’t know the mail situation, I opted for finding a place in person. I used a testing center in Canary Wharf, and was able to get in before my appointment time so that was nice. It was five minutes to get the swab done (which was less painful than France, but more-so than the US – I have thoughts on the somewhat metaphorical analogy this makes), and I was pleased with the process, although I’ll grumble a bit about the price of it (£65 for those of you curious). The test results came via email in 54 hours, which was longer than the 48 hours I was promised. I will say it’s a little odd that they ask you to take a test within two days of arrival, but you have no requirement to isolate while you wait for the results. It seems a little risky, given a lot can happen in two-three days, but here we are.

The next thing I had to do was get a SIM for my phone (if only because for as well as I know London, I’m still not an expert at getting from place to place without a little maps assistance). Since I was out at Canary Wharf for my test, I hopped on the DLR to get to Westfield Stratford so I could visit a Three store. There are loads of mobile providers in the UK – and I’ve used three and EE in the past – but I used Three when I studied abroad so I had an urge to use them again. It wasn’t nearly as smooth as I wanted it to be, but the good news is that since I’m on a Pay As You Go plan, I can switch providers at any point if I want to do that. Either way, my phone is now fully functional in the UK.

The element I still haven’t sorted though is opening a bank account. For as much as I thought France was horrifically bureaucratic and difficult, the UK is proving to be worse (who would’ve thought that was possible??). In order to open an account, you need a proof of address. Since I’ve already sorted my living situation, this should be easy, right? WRONG. To prove that I’ll be earning in the UK, I have a letter from my employer confirming my employment with them, as well as my UK address (where I’ll be moving next month). This, however, isn’t enough for any banks. They want post that was delivered to you or a lease agreement (but this can only be from an Estate agent or through a council agreement, which mine isn’t, so my lease agreement doesn’t count). A lot of the things you can use as proof of address aren’t available to me as a non UK citizen (registration on the voter roll, current driver’s license – I could apply for a provisional license but that involves sending off your passport and has a massive wait time, etc…). I’ve changed by address with HMRC so they can send me an updated letter with my National Insurance Number (thank goodness I already had one of these since the backlog is running ~ 16 weeks to get one right now), but that’s going to take 10-16 business days, so that’s essentially my time frame for when I’ll be able to open a bank account. I couldn’t update my address until I was actually in the UK, so really this whole process is a whole catch-22 of epic proportions. I tried opening online accounts like Monzo and Monese, since that’s recommended to try and get something with your address on it, but Monzo denied me (with no reason given, much to the consternation of the bank tellers with whom I spoke about it), and Monese required paying for the debit card (which didn’t seem worth it just to generate a statement I could use for opening an account somewhere else). It’s definitely still a work in progress, and an infuriating one at that. Fingers crossed I’m able to resolve that at some point in the near future, if only so I can be paid (just a small thing, really).

Random moving to the UK tip: Since there’s a possibility this move will be for a while, one thing that could become important for me down the line is having UK credit history. Unfortunately, my US credit history doesn’t transfer outside the country, so I’m essentially starting from scratch. That means I’ll be back in the endless cycle of being unable to get credit cards because of a lack of credit history, but being unable to generate any credit history because I can’t get a credit card. Something that was suggested to me was to get an American Express credit card in the US. After three months of use, I can exchange it for a UK one, no questions asked. This way (in at least three months’ time), I’ll be able to start generating some credit history in the UK! I have no idea if it’ll be successful or seamless, but I’ll report back on that one. I was, however, impressed with the speed with which I received my card in the US!

Despite the minor bank account hiccup, my arrival into London has been lovely, and I’m over the moon to be back. I’ve been able to wander around a bit (blog post incoming on that one), and it really does feel like coming home in a weird way. I’m still definitely stressed about the pandemic, and its effects on the UK (and my job), but I can tell I’m going to have to channel my worries differently over here. Contrary to what I’m used to in Washington (I can’t say the US because not every state has handled the pandemic the same), mask wearing is not really a thing outside, nor is it truly required/enforced inside. I’ve been a little disappointed by how many places have signage recommending the use of a face mask, but not requiring it – seems silly to think most people would automatically comply with recommended than required. It’s more lax than France for sure, but I’ll have to adjust since this is where I’m going to be living for the foreseeable.

It’s hard to believe that I set foot in London for the first time (almost exactly) five years ago, and here I am moving here. If only my 20 year old studying abroad self could see me now. I had no idea at the time how much my life would change from studying abroad (which is cliché, I know, but I do have some proof of that fact), and I’m truly so grateful that the stars have seemingly aligned to make my coming back possible. Here’s to a new adventure!

Recreating one of the first ever photos I took in London in September 2016 (bottom photo), in September 2021 (top photo)

Things to do when you study abroad in London

On June 27, 2021June 27, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

As someone who spent a year studying abroad in London, and has subsequently returned several times, I like to think myself a bit of an expert on the city (at least, a little). With the possibility of study abroad opening back up, I thought I would use some of my experiences to collate a list of fun things you should try and do if you’re studying (or even just visiting) London! This is by no means a comprehensive list, and it’s based on my personal likes/dislikes, but I know how overwhelming it can be to get used to a new city, so I hope this can help a little!

Before I dive into my list, I wanted to start with a useful tip for studying abroad in London. The first thing is to download CityMapper. It’s a transport app and is oh so helpful when you’re still figuring out the tube (and even after you’ve memorized it, I still rely on it). It will tell you what lines to take, when the next tube is arriving, compare the tube to the bus, and tell you when certain lines aren’t running. It works in several big cities so you can use it if you travel around Europe while you’re studying, and even has some cities in Asia and the Americas! If you get a British phone plan while studying abroad, you’ll be able to access WiFi in the stations, so you can update the app while you wait (but it’s best to preload it just in case the WiFi doesn’t work).

Without further ado, here’s my list of things to do (in no particular order) when you’re studying abroad in London!

Visit the Museums

General entrance to almost every museum in London is free. That means that you can pop into them for five minutes, or decide to spend a whole day there. Special exhibits will cost money, but otherwise, you’re free to enter them as you choose. My personal favorites are the V&A museum (especially for their scones), and the National Gallery. They’re both museums in which you could get lost, but also ones that are so never-ending, you’ll discover new things at every turn. The National Gallery is more focused on traditional paintings, but the V&A has more of a mix of art ranging from different eras and different mediums. Other museum highlights include the Science Museum, Tate Modern, and the British Museum.

How to get there:

V&A Museum: Nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Piccadilly or Circle/District lines. This is also the stop for the Science Museum and Natural History museum, as well
National Gallery: Located in Trafalgar Square. Nearest tube stations are Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) or Embankment (Circle/District lines)
Tate Modern: Nearest tube stations are Southwark (Jubilee line), Blackfriars (Circle/District line – located on the opposite bank of the Thames), and Borough (Northern line)
British Museum: Nearest tube station is Holborn (Central line)

See the Parks

Although London is a cosmopolitan city, it is full of greenery and parks. They’re scattered all over the city, but are perfect for an afternoon stroll, picnic, or a run to get some daily exercise. Head to Kensington Gardens to find the Peter Pan Statue, or have an afternoon in St. James’ Park, located conveniently between Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. If you’re in London during the holidays, make sure you head to Hyde Park for their annual Winter Wonderland. Other notable parks include Regent’s Park, and Greenwich Park (if you’re in Greenwich, you can visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the Prime Meridian).

See a Show

While I’m absolutely a theatre person (so this was top of my list when I studied abroad), seeing theatre while in the UK is a must. There’s the West End with impressive headline shows like Phantom of the Opera or Les Mis, but there are also smaller theatres all over the city. There’s the Old Vic, the National Theatre, the Globe, and the Royal Court to name some well known non West End theatres, although there are countless others. No matter if your preference is to see a play or a musical, be sure to indulge in some theatre while in London, you won’t regret it! You might even be able to see some famous actors trod the boards. When I was in London, I managed to see Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant, John Boyega, Andrew Garfield, and Nathan Lane onstage!

Selfie with Daniel Radcliffe — My most prized selfie

Ticket tips: If you’re a theatre person like me, be sure to sign up for reduced rate tickets for 16-25 year olds at the National Theatre, and £10 PwC preview tickets at the Old Vic. You can also download the TodayTix app to try for daily rush tickets (typically at 9/10am in the app), or to see what’s playing. Some shows also do day seating, which involves queuing outside the theatre in the early hours of the morning (I would typically arrive around 5am) to then be able to purchase tickets when the box office opens for that day’s performance. You usually get great seats at a phenomenal price (£20/£25 typically). You can also get £5 groundling (standing) tickets for performances at the Globe!

I also highly recommend seeing a panto if you’re in the UK during the holidays. It’s a lovely British tradition, and a joy to behold (oh yes it is)!

Walk along the Thames

While the tube is an excellent way to get around London, don’t underestimate how walkable it is. One of my favorite walks in London is along the Thames. It’s a great way to orient yourself in the city, but also to see some of the best sights on foot. If you start on the banks of the Thames opposite Big Ben, you’ll walk past The Eye, The National Theatre, The Globe, Tate Modern, and more. If you get far enough, you’ll even get to the Tower of London. You can cross over the Millennium Bridge (yes, the one famous for being destroyed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) to access Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Walking along the Thames is a fun way to not only see London, but to get some steps in, too!

Young woman leaning against a railing along the Thames in London, England, UK. The OXO tower and Blackfriars bridge can be seen in the background. — You can even find some “beaches” along the Thames (although I wouldn’t wade too far into the water, if at all)

Watch the sunset on Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill is a heavily touristy spot, especially for sunsets, but the view is worth it. The walk up the hill is on an incline, but it’s not a long hike up by any means. You can sit on the grass and watch day turn to night over the skyline of London. It’s especially enjoyable with friends and a tin of Pimm’s! The nearest tube station is Chalk Farm (Northern line – be sure to catch the Edgware branch), and Primrose Hill is around a ten minute walk from the station. You can even precede your evening with a trip to the London Zoo, which is just nearby.

Sunset viewed from Primrose Hill — The view from Primrose Hill at sunset

Visit the Warner Brothers Studio Tour

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, this is an absolute must. You’ll head up to Leavesden Studios and there you can see Harry Potter film sets, costumes, props, and more! I’ve been twice and still feel like I could return to discover new things. You need to prebook tickets so it’s not a spontaneous trip, but if you’re studying abroad, you’ll have ample time to find a date that works. If you’re curious what visiting is like, check out my blog post about visiting it during the summer here!

In addition to the studio tour, be sure to also head to King’s Cross for a photo opportunity at platform 9 3/4! While you can’t actually stand between platforms nine and ten (unless you have a ticket for a train departing from those platforms), there’s a conveniently set up luggage trolley further into the station. There’s usually a queue for the photo, but if you time it right, you might not have to wait too long!

Young woman standing in Diagon Alley at the Harry Potter studio tour in London — Mischief Managed in Diagon Alley at The Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Have Tea

While this is kind of a touristy thing as well, it isn’t everyday that you find yourself in London! I’m a big tea drinker, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a proper afternoon tea. There are so many places where you can sit down for afternoon tea, at every price point so you don’t need to splurge if you don’t want to spend a lot. I opted to splurge a little and had tea at Fortnum & Mason’s, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. The key bit of having afternoon tea is getting to indulge in not only a luscious pot of tea, but also in finger sandwiches, and more importantly, scones. There is little better than a fresh scone with clotted cream and lemon curd in my opinion, and I would happily eat them every day.

If you’re just after the scones (and I wouldn’t blame you), Caffe Nero does a pretty good scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam. As I’ve already mentioned, my personal favorite scones come from the V&A, but I’ll admit, it’s not the most practical location when you’re craving a scone! You can find tea everywhere, and wade into the debate of which brand is the best (PG Tips, if you’re reading this, I love you and my allegiance is with you).

Young woman holding a tea cup at Fortnum & Mason's in London — Tea really does make everything feel better!

Go to a Television Show Taping

In addition to being home to stage shows, London is also home to the filming sets for many panel, and talk shows with live audiences. If you’re studying abroad in London, and will be there for a time, you can sign up to be considered to be an audience member for a multitude of shows. Typically, you’ll select a handful of dates for which you’re available, and they’ll reach out with your assigned date if you’re chosen! When I studied abroad, I attended two Graham Norton show tapings (with Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles as musical guests), a taping for Mock the Week, and a taping for The Nightly Show. The two companies responsible for getting audiences are SRO Audiences, and Applause Store. Be sure to check their websites frequently if this interests you!

Graham Norton show set after a live taping — Taking a sneaky photo of the Graham Norton show set

Go to the Top of the Sky Garden

For a free panoramic view of London, be sure to visit the Sky Garden! Entrance is free, although you need to book a timed entry ticket in advance. There’s a cafe/bar at the top, in addition to the 360° view you’ll get. While it’s not the same view you’d get from The Eye, it’s cheaper, and essentially comparable!

Closest tube stations: Monument (Circle/District line), and Bank (Central, and Northern line with connection to Monument station). These stations are connected underground, but Monument is the closest. Don’t be fooled by the word “connection” though, it’s a decent walk from Bank to Monument (and Bank is not a fun station to change lines).

Walk Around a Market

Markets are a great spot to visit in London both for food, but also for fun oddities you might not find anywhere else. If you’re feeling peckish, head to Borough Market! If you’re wanting to go shopping you can visit Portobello Road on the weekend in Notting Hill, or Box Park for some trendy shops. For more second hand and vintage shopping, head to Brick Lane or Camden Market. There’s also the Columbia Road Flower Market perfect for fresh blooms.

Ride the Bus

As much as the tube is a fantastic way to get around London, it’s not very scenic. Riding the double decker buses gives you the opportunity to see the city from a different angle, and to familiarize yourself more with everything. I personally love taking the bus when I have the time, and sometimes the route is more convenient via bus (CityMapper is great for telling you what’s the quickest). Even if you don’t use it for regular transport, try the bus at least once if only for the experience!

See the Olympic Rings

London was host to the 2012 Olympics, and the rings, along with a massive park with facilities, are still there. Located in East London (you’ll take the Central or Jubilee line to Stratford), you can spend some quality time going for a walk around the park, see West Ham Stadium, and if you’re eagle eyed enough, find the Olympic Rings. When you’re done, you can head into the Westfield next door for some shopping.

Olympic Rings in Olympic Park in London — You don’t have to win a gold medal to pose with the rings, luckily!

Venture outside London

While there are a million things to see and do in London (I still haven’t crossed them all off my list), there’s more to the UK than just London. It’s worth exploring other cities for so many reasons, but it can make for slightly less stressful adventures when you only have to take the train rather than a plane. I certainly have more cities I want to explore in the UK, but here are some of my recommendations!

Oxford: Highlights include the Radcliffe Camera, Christchurch College, and the Bodleain Library. I’ve done Oxford both in a day trip, and over a couple of days.
Bath: Highlights include the Roman baths, Fashion Museum, and eating a Sally Lunn Bun! I went to Bath as part of a trip in tandem with Oxford.
Cambridge: Highlights include King’s College, punting, and the Mathematical Bridge. I’ve only visited as part of a day trip.
Brighton: If you’re keen to see the seaside, be sure to visit Brighton. Walk along the pier and enjoy a 99 flake, and visit the Royal Pavilion. It’s a perfect day trip from London, but you can spend more time there if you please. Brighton is also home to the UK’s biggest pride festival during the summer.
Edinburgh: It would be hard to day trip to Edinburgh from London, but spending a few days there is well worth it to explore Scotland’s capital. Highlights include: Edinburgh castle, climbing Arthur’s Seat, and the National Museum of Scotland.
The Lake District: Since this is a district, there’s more than one place to visit, but the scenic views of the Lake District are truly stunning. I visited Keswick as part of an adventure weekend through IFSA-Butler, but I’m very keen on returning up North to explore more.
Stratford-Upon-Avon: Home to the RSC and Shakespeare’s birthplace, this lovely city is a perfect getaway from London. You can see some theatre, indulge in fish and chips, and learn all about Shakespeare!

For heading outside the UK, you can catch the Eurostar to Paris from St. Pancras which will drop you off at Gare du Nord in central Paris. You can also catch flights to anywhere in Europe from the many London airports. Heathrow is easily accessible via the Piccadilly line, and London City airport can be reached on the DLR. The other airports will require a train or bus to get there.

Be a Tourist

As much as I like to blend into the scenery when I travel, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in the touristy things to do, especially in a city like London. I think it’s important to see as much as you can of a city, and sometimes that includes going to a specific location for an Instagram photo or to say you’ve done it, even if it’s beyond cheesy. Not all tourist attractions are created equal, though, so here’s my list of ones you should do at least once while studying abroad in London!

Take a photo with a red telephone booth
Watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
Visit the Tower of London (absolutely worth the price of admission, but allow ample time to visit the whole thing)
Hit up Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden (don’t try to walk up the stairs at Covent Garden station if you decide to disembark there, though).
Let yourself get lost in the city. Since there are tube stations almost everywhere, you’re never truly lost, and you can always connect back to where you started. Walking is a fantastic way to get to know London, and to see things you’d miss if you took the tube to get somewhere.
If you want to splurge on a view of London, ride the Eye. Book your tickets in advance to minimize the amount of time you need to wait before getting your view.
Stroll through Notting Hill to admire the pastel houses

Young woman stands in a red telephone box outside Westminster Station in London, England, UK — London’s calling!

London is a fabulous city in which to study abroad. There are endless things to do and see, and its location makes it easy to explore the UK and Europe. I’m now several years on from my study abroad experience, and I still think about it all the time. I’ve been lucky enough to return to London on a few occasions, and I hope to be able to go back many more times. Here’s to exciting study abroad adventures, and let me know if I missed any London highlights!

Spending the summer in London

On August 23, 2019July 13, 2020 By notyouravggiraffeIn Travel1 Comment

This summer I decided to try something new, and to work for a language school abroad. I spent six weeks of my summer in London, and the only way I can describe my time working is non-stop. If you’ve ever worked a residential summer camp, you know where I’m coming from, but it really feels like the work never stops (since the days are so much longer than in traditional summer work). I was remarkably unstressed about the constant chaos, which is shocking for me personally, but even with all that chaos, every day was a new day, which is definitely exciting for me. There’s really no way to become complacent while working as an activity leader, especially when in London. I was happy to just be in the city, regardless of all the stress that came along with the job itself.

Showing off the city the best way I know how: with a pose (and some sun)

In my six weeks, I led excursions to Regent’s Park, St. Paul’s, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Camden, Oxford Street, Islington, Leicester Square, The Natural History Museum (just to name a few), as well as weekend trips to Brighton, Oxford, and Cambridge. I’m not going to lie, taking 200+ kids out and about, or on the tube, is a challenge (and I can only imagine everyone else’s horror as they saw us descending onto the platform in our red shirts with a plethora of children). I can 100% say that I was grateful for my previous knowledge of the tube, and of London, in those situations. It’s a different kind of worry to imagine leaving someone on a busy platform in Bank station, than it was to my concern of children playing nice with each other on the playground in France.

The most exciting excursion for me in the six weeks though, was my trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour (work perks, am I right??). I was lucky enough to go two years ago when I studied abroad in London, but I haven’t been since, and they’ve made a decent number of changes. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, and you have enough time to dedicate for this adventure, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a little far out as you have to go to Watford Junction (zone 9), but you can get there with an Oyster card, and it’s definitely worth it. You have to buy tickets in advance, but getting there is pretty simple. Check out my blog post here if you want to read more about it!

Through my six weeks, I was able to see both things with which I was very familiar in London, as well as some new things I’d never seen before. Seeing London again with the eyes of an Activity Leader puts the city in a different light, but it’s hard for me not to enjoy an excuse to explore my favorite place. Working at a summer camp is by no means an easy task, and it certainly isn’t a working holiday. There was more time on than off, and most of the time when I left accommodation, was for an excursion or activity, not necessarily for my own pleasure (unless we count trips to Poundland or Sainsbury’s for some Haribos). That being said, the six weeks absolutely flew by, and most of the time, I didn’t feel any more pressure or stress than I would’ve done at home (although part of that could just be my being in a city I love, and getting to go out into it as part of my job). I didn’t have to reserve time on my days off to go explore certain areas, because I got to do that during the day with my students, and even better, show them what parts of the city I enjoy most.

View from Primrose Hill during Golden Hour (gotta get those good instagram shots obviously)

THE THEATRE

As anyone who knows me knows, the theatre is one of my favorite things to do when I’m in London, and even though I didn’t have the most free time during my six weeks, I was still able to see at least one show a week. I had a brilliant time, and I’m so grateful for all the theatre I was able to see, especially considering that I was able to manage it along with my busy working schedule (always have to make time for theatre though, don’t I? My priorities are clearly in order). I feel it is my duty to the theatre community to talk about the shows I was able to see, especially since, my weekly show(s) definitely helped me cope with the stress of my job. I love spending time down in SoHo, and the theatre district, and my only wish would have been that I had been able to see more in my six weeks! There’s no point addressing every show I saw, so I’ll give you the highlight reel:

Waitress: Absolutely beautiful musical, and I’ve wanted to see it for a while, so I jumped at the chance to get myself some rush tickets. I’ve definitely been listening to the soundtrack since I saw the show on my third day in London, so it’s had a lasting impression. It’s a musical about pie, so it’s only fitting that I say that it was even *sweeter* than I thought it was going to be. (p)I(e) liked it BERRY much, and would happily see it again and again and again!
Present Laughter: A Noel Coward play at the Old Vic, I went in knowing very little about the storyline (which is an ongoing theme this particular time around with the shows I saw). It’s a brilliant show, hilarious, and the acting was superb. I wasn’t prepared to laugh as much as I did, but this was entirely a show that I wouldn’t have minded seeing again. A particular highlight was getting to see Andrew Scott act again, and see his comedic prowess on the stage.
Small Island: One of the two plays I saw at the National Theatre, and the first play I’ve ever seen in their Olivier Stage. I was lucky enough to snag a ticket last minute (and entry pass no less), and I’m so glad I did. The play is about the Windrush Generation, and four stories that intersect both in Jamaica, and in England. It’s just the right blend of humor, and sadness to make a touching play, and one that didn’t even feel as long as it was (which is always a good thing).
Midsummer Night’s Dream: I saw this particular production at the Bridge Theatre, where I had “pit seats,” meaning I stood for the entire production. However, unlike at the Globe where standing is stationary, this arrangement meant that standing audience members were told when and where to move at certain points in the show. The only negative with this is that being a short person, sometimes my view was obstructed by less height deficient humans. It was a lively production, and was seamlessly accentuated by a jamming soundtrack, which livens every Shakespeare production (personal highlights were also the inserted one liners, including “unlock your calendar, I beseech you”)

*Ticket tips*: In case you’re wanting to see some theatre in London without spending a lot of money, there are a couple of ways you can go about it (which are the ways I did to see all the shows I did while I was there). Firstly, you can download TodayTix. Using the app, you can see a ton of shows available on the West End, their prices for any given day, and if they have rush or lottery available. I can’t recommend rush enough, it’s actually how I saw all but the two shows at the National, and one other show in my six weeks. With rush, you can see shows for anything between £15 and £25, and generally, pretty good seats as well! You just have to be on your phone and ready to go for 10am, and keep trying even if the app says all the tickets are in someone else’s basket. For the National Theatre, if you’re under 26, be sure to be a part of Entry Pass, where you can get tickets for £7.50 for any show (there are a select number of tickets at this price of course). However, if you’re a student, you can also get discount tickets around an hour before the show starts, and you can get good seats and an even better price! Day seating is also available for many shows, which can get you discount tickets, however, I did not do that for any of the shows this time around (although believe me, I have in the past).

Curtain Call at Waitress (don’t worry, photos were allowed)!

Going back to London is a two fold “blessing” because it means that I already feel comfortable there, and know what I want to see (and what I’ve already seen too many times, or my personal favorite, some of the best places to nip in to use the restroom), but it also means that I get to explore new things as well, since it’s a city of ever-growing things to see and do. I, of course, got to eat my favorite scones at the V&A, and return to Primrose Hill to see the sunset over the skyline. I wouldn’t say that I was able to see many new parts of London, but I allowed myself to try Prawn Cocktail crisps (which I was firmly against when I lived here but now, I’m all for them… what can I say, don’t knock ’em until you try ’em!), and I enjoyed Pimm’s in a tin from Sainsbury’s whenever I could find the time. I got to spend the summer in London, which in my couple of visits, have not been the months where I have ever found myself in the city. I experienced the central line in peak heat (have to love living through a 100 degree plus heat wave – 38 for those of you Celsius speakers), and sweated out my entire existence on the Southbank in the heat, but more importantly, I got to see London in the sun, which is always a beautiful sight to see.

The ever recurring question, is would I do the six weeks again next year? I would, of course, take any opportunity to return to London (seriously, I’m open for those jobs, friends), and it is definitely a possibility that I would take up similar work in the future. Working in a residential summer camp is an experience like no other, but I can with certainty say that the pros outweighed the cons – for me at least – , and I came away having had a good time. After all, how could I really complain when I got to spend the bulk of my summer in London?