See you soon..

Today has been all about a day of lasts- the last bus ride, the last London thai food, the last walk to my dorm.  Now that I have come out on the other side- I can honestly say that this has been the most rewarding experience of my life.  In a way that is more subtle than most will even notice upon my return, I feel that I have gained a deeper sense of self, independence and more amazing life experiences than most can dream about.  

It's even hard for me to understand who I was when I got here- I keep questioning- why did I walk into studying abroad so scared to the point I was sobbing over skype the first few nights (Mom, Dad, and Cameron D all bared witness)  But studying abroad is a nerve-wracking experience, especially coming in it alone without any friends.  However, I can- without hesitation- say that I am so happy that I came here alone, forcing myself to learn things, make new friends, and submerge myself in the wonderful culture that is London.  So for that, I give five-month-ago Savannah a pat on the back!

When my parents and their friends came to visit, they would ask me what I love most about London.  Of course, this is like asking what I love most about shopping or candy- everything!  But I always refer back to the first day I went into central, walking out of Waterloo station and following people like a lost puppy and finally seeing The Eye.  For a lack of better term- it was absolutely magical and exactly how I pictured London, full of things that can take your breath away (and cold and foggy)  So that's my official answer- I love that every single day here can bring you something wonderful that will make you feel as though you are experiencing a whole new place, even though you are just one tube stop away.

Huge thank you to my parents, who have emotionally and financially supported me throughout this trip.  I can't even imagine how many times I'll look back on this trip, and thanks to you guys, I can remember all of the wonderful things I was able to do in my time here..  And thanks to all of ya'll who read it and enjoyed the experiences with me!  Especially Cameron and my Aunt Susan who were my most faithful readers! Haha!

I'm a mix of emotions now, so sad to be leaving London, but so happy to see everyone I love. So I keep saying to myself, I WILL be back in London one day.  Next time, on my own dime, but I will come back to this amazing city that I keep falling in love with every day.  See you soon, Londontown! 

One more go round

Since today is the last day before the "calm before the storm" (tomorrow we will be packing all day) we decided to go back to all of the typical London places.  These special places will always remind me of the first day I went into central London, so I figured they should be one of the last things I see!

We started at The Eye, Houses of Parliament (Big Ben), Buckingham, Trafalgar Square, St. James Park, Horse Guard Parade, and St. Paul's.  I also had my last legal drink here, that was fun while it lasted!  We also made a pit stop at our favorite cupcake spot that looks out onto St. Pauls, todays pick was chocolate cupcake with coffee icing, yummmmy.

We made reservations to go to the top of the Shard at 6:30 today, however, we never ever remember how horrible rush hour is around that area, so basically we were running from tube to tube and line to line all over London until we FINALLY made it to London Bridge stop where the Shard is.  We were sweaty and gross, and conveniently, they made you take a picture right when you walked in the Shard, needless to say, we didn't buy our picture.

The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and is about 1,010 feet tall, basically, the best view of London you can get.  We went to the very top- 72 floor to be exact and got the greatest view of a very foggy London, exactly the same way it was upon our arrival almost 5 months ago.  Still can't believe how time flies..

These flowers made me think of my flower-lovin mama!

Anybody know what kind of duck this cutie is?

Top of the Shard!

You can see Tower Bridge (where the olympic rings were) if you look closely!

72 floor was exposed to the top of the shard- SO COOL!

Notting Hill

Since Notting Hill is one of my favorite boroughs of London, I had to make one last stop before leaving.  Portobello Road Market (in Notting Hill) is definitely one of the largest street markets here, and the prime day to go is Saturday, when all of the vendors are out.  So, we made our way there and finally got to experience it while it was in its prime!  I had to buy last minute gifts before leaving, so I got some cute goodies from antique street vendors that will make some people back home happy :)  Of course, street food is always a good little find, so we grabbed some lunch and I snapped some colorful food pictures to remember our wonderful day in NH.

Lastly, THE CUPCAKE.  I think I blogged about this before, but in NH (and in other areas of London) there is this amazing bakery, Hummingbird Bakery.  They are super famous here in London, and rightfully so.  Their red velvet cupcakes are out of this world, and definitely high up on my list of things I will miss in this wonderful city.  A dozen of those bad boys would actually be a really good birthday surprise (hint hint, mom)

We decided to make the most of our weekly unlimited tube pass (best decision I have ever made) and took the tube to Marble Arch.  I'm not sure what the significance of it is, maybe a replica of Arc De Triomphe in Paris?  But it was pretty, and we got to see a massive horse head statue, which was interesting...

3 full days left, and falling more in love with this city each day, but getting extremely excited to see all my loves back home!!

Couldn't resist getting artsy.. Notting HIll street art

massive horse head at Marble Arch

The Eye/Brick Lane

This was my last full week in London!  Everyone in my close group of friends here is gone except Caitlin and I, who got put on the same flight back home, yay!  So, saying bye to everyone and seeing their bags packed and rooms empty makes it a little more surreal that I'm going to be home in 4 days.  

We have been busy running around London like chickens with our heads cut off trying to do last minute things!  This week, we did the London Eye!  It was obviously on my list of super touristy things to do, and it was exactly what I expected.  Long, slow, and full of sights I have seen tons of times over. It was neat to see them from up top, especially Big Ben, and was a great way to avoid the rain for 30 minutes!

Yesterday, we went to Brick Lane, which is in East London.  This area is the cooler/more cultured part of the city.  It has lots of ethnic restaurants and things you normally wouldn't see in central.  Why did we go there you may ask?  Well, they have really neat street art, like they write books about the street art.  Also, Caitlin's mom had heard of this market there, Spitafields, which has typical market clothes and jewelry, but is under the same roof as really nice London chain restaurants.  It was actually my favorite clothing market I've been to, and the fact that I could get an awesome crepe just a few feet away wasn't too shabby either..

On the Eye!

Brick Lane street art

Spitafields Market
[sign says it was built in 1893]

NOM! Chocolate peanut butter crepe!

Matilda

I saw two plays with Mom & Dad when they visited, but I thought I should go see just one more to really get the West End experience.  Obviously Matilda was one of my favorite movies ever as a child (I may or may not have watched it while I've been here, too) so I knew this was the one I wanted to see, and the tickets weren't too expensive!  

So last night we went to dinner and drinks and then the play, and it was amazing!  Seriously, might have been my favorite play I have ever seen.  The music, stage, actors, everything was just wonderful.  When I got back, I researched it a bit and it has actually won lots of awards here in London (London was where it started) and I think its coming to New York soon, so everyone go see it! 

On a sad note, a few of my friends have already left for America and my one week countdown has passed, SO SAD!  But I'm getting more excited every day to get home to everyone I love, my puppy, and naturally, Bojangles and sweet tea.

Best set I've ever seen! Made entirely of books

Fuller's Brewery

Fullers is probably the most popular beer here in London, and the yummiest.  They have tons of pubs around here and I have recently fallen in love with their Honey Dew beer (only served at Fuller's pubs).  So when I heard they did brewery tours, I was all about it.  The brewery is only about 15 minutes from Roehampton and just a short tube ride away, which made the trip even better!  We went yesterday and got a full tour of the working brewery, so we had to wear reflector vests the whole time.. pretty cool.  We got to taste the different types of barley they use in each beer and see the hops that were going to be used to manufacturing the next day.  Then the good part came.. the taste test!  I was shocked at how much beer we got.  We actually to try every kind of Fuller's beer (which totaled to 5 pints).  My favorite was still the Honey Dew, and having an unlimited supply of it for an hour wasn't too shabby of a deal :)

After our afternoon of brewery fun, we met some friends at a nearby pub in Putney for their going away dinner!  Everyone was super nostalgic and talked about all of the wonderful memories we have made together.  8 days left!

Oldest Wisteria in England!
[at the brewery]

Most popular Fuller's drink.. London Pride!

and my personal fav.. Honey Dew

Then there were 10..

Today I officially entered countdown mode, with a lot of sadness, happiness, anxiousness and every other emotion you could imagine flooding my way.  This weekend, I have checked even more stuff off of my list..

TOUR OF WESTMINSTER

ICE CREAM AT HARRODS

CHANGING OF THE GUARDS

Overall, an exciting weekend with more going away festivities to come!

cutest ice cream parlor ever (and most overpriced)

with the harrods bear!

the closest we could get.. biggest crowd I've seen at Buckingham