Rediscovering Londres

Hi, remember me? Admittedly I haven't posted in a while. The sad and honest truth is: I ran out of vacation days. Yep, all 30 of them completely committed before I hit September. Not ideal, and I've vowed to do things differently next year my friends. In the meantime, my adventures and corresponding posts will be limited to London and its surrounding areas for the next couple months (fear not: I foresee Brussels, Berlin and Bath in my not too distant future)

That being said, one of my best friends and former next door neighbor moved to London exactly seven days ago. He too took a calculated leap, having never been here aside from a family trip as a wee young lad. Selfishly this means two things: I have the chance to rediscover this fine city from the esteemed position of knowledgable tour guide, and two I have someone to share in the city's many mysteries: people really don't tip here?; why are there no door knobs?; what's with the incessant fire doors? I have to push a button to exit all buildings?; why aren't there outlets in the bathroom? is it normal that they don't put eggs in the fridge? why are the yolks are orange? what's "quid"? why are they asking me what size wine I want? We all know there is only one answer to that question....

As any reasonable person would do their first week in London, we promptly hopped on a two hour train ride to Paris. We departed St Pancras International Saturday at 14.30 (see what I did there?) and returned Sunday by 18.30. In that short 24 hour time period we ate like kings, drank like fish and I showed Christo some of my favourite places in Paris...

The stunning Notre Dame. One day I will muster the courage to join the queue and see it from the inside.

Colourful homes on Rue Crémieux

And my absolute favourite: Shakespeare & Company - "a wonderland of books" where the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, William S. Boroughs and Allen Ginsberg were invited to sleep for free in exchange for helping around the bookshop. 

Truth be told, I have yet to make it to Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre... but there's always next time :)