Friday
Leaving mid-morning, Bruce and I drove down to Baden-Baden Airport to catch our Ryanair flight into Stansted. All went according to plan, including running through the arrivals terminal, just squeezing into the airport tram before the doors closed, and catching a bus into Shoreditch an hour before we scheduled ours! Seemed that luck was on our side for that arrival situation (as for the departure...well...I'll get to that later).Last time we traveled to England, we stayed with Grandma and Chris in Chelmsford, which was lovely! But we were definitely looking forward to having more city exploring time, as well as spending time with our friends Tom and Chris.
Bruce found an Airbnb apartment in Shoreditch, a 5-10 minute walk from the main shopping area. Once we dropped off our things we decided to head out and find a place to eat before seeing Book of Mormon near Picadilly! I have heard endless positive reviews for this production and couldn't contain my excitement for finally getting to see it! Also, Alex was able to find a ticket to join us as well, which was super. The show is hilarious for those of you who haven't had the chance to check it out. Written by the brains behind South Park, the musical covers some major, and often times difficult topics in the news today using humor, blatant (usually offensive) jokes, and incredible talented singers. Tom made a good point, that you are entertained, but also you come out of it thinking about your views on these controversial situations. For the rest of the trip we would often break out into the chorus of "MAN UP!" or "but especially me!"
After the show, we took the tube together back to Shoreditch to grab a few drinks before calling the evening. First, we stopped in a food-booth area set up under an old gas station roof, which offered international foods from tacos to sushi and everything in between. From there we stepped into Hoxton Square to catch up with Alex and plan for the next day.
Saturday
Waking up, we headed to a breakfast spot nearby our Airbnb called "Friends of Ours". We enjoyed Aeropress coffee, homemade baked goods, delicious smoothies and mouth watering breakfast dishes. I took some food-port photos on this trip, but I don't want to overload you!
From breakfast, the boys had an appointment at Murdock, a popular chain Barbershop in London where they give a proper shave. Bruce, Tom, and Chris got the full treatment with warm towel face-wraps, lathered up with shaving cream and a close shave with the single-blade razor. What shave would be complete without a glass of Whiskey (doesn't matter that the appointment was at 10 right?)
I left the gentlemen to do their thing while I walked Alex to Liverpool Station to meet up with the rest of her group before preparing for their show at the Aloft Hotel. On my walk back I passed so many beautiful or unusual (sometimes both) pieces of street art. Unlike simple graffiti with more graphic or lewd phrases/pictures, the graffiti artists here augment the streets and atmosphere of the city. Whether the artwork was created to spread a message or simply to provide aesthetics, it turned my head throughout this trip!
After picking up the freshly shaved men, we went to a restaurant nearby called Dishoom, which was highly recommended by absolutely everyone we talked to. Featuring Indian dishes with some fancy twists here and there, our meal was incredible. We ordered family style and happily dined, talked, and gushed over the flavorful food.
Rolling out of the restaurant, we began our exploration of Shoreditch. To start we wandered over to the BoxPark (ie. Hipster Playground, named by Bruce), where shops are set up in small, narrow..well..boxes. Not really on a mission, our exploration brought us then through a vintage-shop area near Baker Street where we found some pretty outrageous clothing items.
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It was here that we stumbled upon a large, metal, windowless phone booth with "Disco Party" stickers all over it. Intrigued, we entered the 2 Euros, chose our song, and squeezed in (definitely past the recommended capacity) to dance to "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye (Bruce's unusual choice for a disco party, but at that point, we were squished in a silver box, so really any sort of disco-dancing-movement was pretty much out of the question.
Once inside you could choose to turn on the smoke machine, strobe lights, disco lights, and take pictures! As our song neared its end, we decided to make a bit of a scene getting out by looking overly-disheveled. My scarf ended up with someone else, Tom's shoe came off, and I think there were some extra buttons undone along the way. The faces of the people waiting outside changed rapidly from happy curiosity to confused and slightly worried rather quickly.
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We then dropped off at home to get all dolled up before Alex's show. This is when we found the wonders of Uber. I was able to use Uber with Beth in DC, and it was extremely convenient, affordable, and simple (I sound like a commercial huh?), but I didn't use the App on my own. We swindled the system a bit and got a free ride to the Aloft hotel in the Docklands area. Not only did this gig give me the opportunity to see Alex once more but I also was able to see the Chelmsford crew, Grandma, Chris, and George! After attacking each other with hugs and catching up, we settled in to listen to Alex, Caitlin, and Taylor performing their hearts out as SoulFlare. (They have shows in Brussels, Stuttgart, and Munich if anyone is around those places and want to hear some excellent artists!)
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I was ALSO able to meet up with a fabulous friend from Korea, Lysianne!!!! who now lives in London and brought her friend to the gig as well. It was so surreal to see her again, as the last time we met we were crazy workout buddies in Korean university gyms. She looks gorgeous and we caught up, feeling like no time had passed. We said our goodbyes to Alex, Grandma, Chris, and George and made our way back to Shoreditch. Lysianne has some crazy connections pretty much everywhere so she got us into a club near our Airbnb called Village Underground which is located in a giant, old, brick warehouse. While the music opted on the side of the same-beat-over-and-over which I find a tad difficult to dance to, we spent some more time together before walking back and falling into bed.
Sunday
This day, Bruce and Tom had some secret surprise for us. No hints given. Chris and I were blissfully unaware of the amazingness that lay ahead of us as we got yet another amazing breakfast in the city. This time it was a coffee brewery and restaurant called Ozone Coffee. (Are you writing all these places down?)
From Ozone we took the train up to Camden Town which, according to Amanda Ball the last time we were in London, is the COOLEST PLACE EVER! It lived up to this review and more! I wish we had more time to walk around. The buildings along the main street on thew way to Camden Lock reminded me a bit of South Street in Philly with the statues and crazy building decor, as well as the unusual merchandise spilling onto the sidewalk. Camden Lock is a whole other adventure in itself! We walked through and found whole sections filled with hand-made trinkets, clothing, jewelry, and most importantly...food... (I'm telling you, it's time for a serious diet after this trip). Chris and I picked up a delicious falafel wrap as they all sat down with a beer.
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Uber-ing (now a verb) to the stop where we would pick up the bus to the surprise, Chris and I were getting more and more excited! Suddenly we looked and our bus pulled up in front of us COVERED with Harry Potter pictures, scenery, and characters. We would be going to the Harry Potter tour at the Warner Brothers Studio (cue dying of excitement)!! Hopping on the bus to find Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone playing on the TV, we talked about everything we might see throughout the tour.
The Studio was used to film the Harry Potter series for over 10 years. It is now a permanent exhibit of sets, scenery, props, costumes, and so much more. I don't want to ruin any surprises for those of you who will go (and ALL of you should!), so I won't say too much. It is a completely self guided tour, so if you're one of those people that wants to read absolutely every sign, tag, and touch-display option, than you can totally feel free to do so. My favorite part was just seeing the extreme detail put into the sets. That guy whose job it is to put dusty pinecones into baskets in the back right corner of Hagrid's hut did a fabulous job I must say. I also enjoyed seeing the overwhelming joy and excitement in the young kids taking the tour. One girl started yelling for her mom and pointing excitedly at the wand display case saying, "MUM! It's ACTUALLY Harry Potter's wand!! The REAL one!"
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Bruce followed along, enjoying the tour but maybe not as intensely as I. Funny coincidence, which was probably a set up from Bruce looking back on it...Before leaving for the trip I was wondering what book to bring. About 5/6th of the way through Shantaram, I wanted to finish it but the book weighs about as much as my suitcase. I opted to bring my Kindle, which as it so happens has all of the Harry Potter books on it. Bruce causally suggested that I read one of those, since we were going to London and everything...smooth Bruce..real smooth. So! Reading the 7th book and walking through the tour just made it even more special. After the sets and props area, you get to walk onto the Hogwarts Express platform where the train sits waiting for passengers. I thought it was a great touch that they set up train cars in chronological order as you walk through the train from their first ride to the final book including important props and subtle hints.
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Next you're brought to the Backlot Cafe where you can get your first taste of Butterbeer. I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering what it tastes like after hearing about it in the books and watching them sip the mysterious treats in the movies. Turns out it tastes a bit like a Cream Soda with some thick whipped cream on top. Super sweet, yet not bad overall! I can now say that I've tried Butterbeer. (Life Goal checkmark).
As we walk outside from the Cafe we see the Knightbus, Number 4 Privet Drive, part of the Hogwarts bridge that was blown up in the final movie, and the house from Godric's Hollow. I enjoyed the lack of too many gimmicky photo ops in this section. They could have easily had the sign come up "magically" in front of the house, or the shrunken head in the front of the bus, but this tour is about seeing the actual props and sets, not about the touristy Disney World-style experience.
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The next part was incredible! This is when they get into all the mechanics and engineering behind the scenes. Using videos and displays, the tour provides and inside look into the machinery involved in sets, props, and most importantly, the creatures of Harry Potter. Seeing a Hippogriff bow to you in real life is something you'll never forget. Following the path through the set of Diagon Alley, past Flourish and Blotts, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and Ollivanders, we came out to the scale model of Hogwarts used throughout filming for long-distance scenes and other weaving/winding shots around the campus. Again, the intricate detail involved was mindblowing. I loved trying to guess what rooms were where in the castle based on the books and movies. Super nerded-out throughout the tour. It would be embarrassing, but *shrug* I'm proud of it.
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| To Dobby (didn't see any socks!) |
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| for Papa |
Of course the gift shop was full to the brim of anything and everything Harry Potter. You could walk out of there decked from head to toe in authentic Hogwarts student gear including your wand, owl, and textbooks.
Needless to say I was like a kid in a candy shop the whole tour and will never ever forget it! If you ever get the chance to check it out...not doubt in my mind DO IT! (said in Shia Labeouf style)
We got back home pretty late and opted to grab some wine and snacks and do a movie night together inside.
Monday
Woke up from a crazy dream where I was constantly stressed and angry about being late for and missing our flight because no one was ready nor as concerned as I was about getting there....
With a travel day ahead, we made our way back to Dishoom (told you we liked it) for their brunch, which was also highly recommended. Drinking Chai and enjoying a nice meal before the trip back, we talked about how much we enjoyed our trip and our favorite parts. While it was only a long weekend, I felt like it was a much longer trip! We did so much, but it wasn't overwhelming. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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Then things started to unravel. Our flight from Stansted leaves at 2. Gate closes at 1:30. Our pre-purchased bus back to Stansted was scheduled for 11:23 on our confirmation print out. We arrived at the stop at 11:10 (because...I like to get places early).
11:25 we were thinking the usual London traffic had kept our bus back.
11:30 nearly 8 big red buses of the same number had come and gone past us
11:40 a bus with the name of our company drove by on the other side of the road without stopping
11:45 I called the customer service for the bus company.
11:53 finally got in touch with the customer service and she was checking on our coach
11:55 a bus from our company turned onto the road and I breathed out a sigh of relief.
11:56 the bus drove right past us despite our waving and running along side it
11:56:30 lost signal with the company, due to running away from the public wifi I had found
12:00 Ran into Shoreditch High Street train station, bought tickets to Stansted (for an exorbitant amount I might add). Realized that the train doesn't go there directly and we would have to get a train to White Church, then to Liverpool, then to Stansted.
12:03 Got on the train in the wrong direction
12:05 Called an Uber to Liverpool Station
12:35 had moved a mile and a half to Liverpool station
12:39 sprinted in and caught the express train to Stansted leaving at 12:40
Sitting on the train, I was thinking about how we would call Grandma to stay in Chelmsford for a night when we missed our flight. Which I'm sure my job would have been fine with, as there's nothing we could have done. Bruce has just started a new position, so I'm not sure he would have had the same response from his higher-ups.
1:30 pulled into Stansted Airport (keep in mind, our gate closes at this time)
We sprinted to the check in desk. One lady said "Nope, I think you have missed your flight". After checking with a coworker, we are told that they hadn't started boarding yet. We ran to security and somehow sugar-talked our way into the express security line for free (we must have looked super frantic...I definitely felt like we were...) Then we ran the mile through the ridiculousness that is the Stansted Airport DutyFree shopping area and restaurants. Seriously. Why can't the gates be first and shopping be last? Anyway. We get to the doors to the airport tram to take us to the terminal where our gate sits (Again...gates first...food and overpriced items last...)
Running from the tram we sprint up to our gate and join the very end of the line to finally exhale as we squeeze into our seats sweating and flustered. Holy shmoly. What a way to end a trip. But we made it back without any issue and ended the weekend off right by watching the 8th movie of Harry Potter (and by watching I mean passed out on the couch while Bruce watched it).
Nothing crazy planned for a little while (that was a big trip...) But will keep you all updated!
Until next time xo
German Phrase of the Post
"Ich schwöre feierlich, ich bin ein Tunichtgut"
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good
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