 It has been almost two weeks since my last visit to London. I had planned to write a post soon after I got back, but for some reasons, it was not possible. It took me some time to think about what exactly I would like to share with you. I also didn't want it to sound resentful plus I wanted to avoid dragging on and on how great Great Britain is. But the fact is that it is great. It's different from the other countries I love to travel to. It's a bit like coming home; it's like coming to a place where tea tastes like tea and things are exactly where we last left them. There's a wonderful sense of continuity here, and at the same time, a mixture of tranquility and buzz. My first stop is Baker Street, where I reach for my first-morning snack. I wouldn't call it breakfast, because I know there will be more breakfast opportunities later. And yes, London does not disappoint in any way when it comes to the variety of food it has to offer. For now, my diet is no longer a priority for me. I want to enjoy pancakes, scones, carrot cakes, and the like. I want to sit down and have tea at every opportunity - and you must know that I'm not a tea lover.  I have a few places on my itinerary that I absolutely must visit. But they are not necessarily top ten tourist attractions. I prefer secret London. It's not that I think the most popular tourist attractions aren't worth checking out - of course, they are! But that's not what I'm here for. On this trip, however, I want to visit the Tate Modern. I've never been there before. The Tate Modern is located near the Thames and is surrounded by tall, modern buildings. It is a very nice part of the city. If I had more time, I would probably go for a walk along the riverbank or something. Anyway, back to the museum. The museum building is quite large - that is my first impression. When I go inside, it seems almost surreal how spacious and contemporary the building is. It has several exhibition floors. I already know that I won't manage to see everything. I have two hours and I am literally storming the place. But I know I want to go back there. I am enchanted. Below are just a few highlights from this trip.  I also visit Victoria and Albert's Museum and the National Gallery. Victoria and Albert's is almost always my stop - they have a great shop there, and the National Gallery - well, that's a treat! It's filled with works of the greatest. I want to see my personal favorite - Cezanne. It's a bit of a strange feeling, looking at his paintings depicting familiar places in the south of France here, in a cloudy, slightly colder, and grayer place.  There are a couple of other stops on my list - meeting a friend in Stanmore, where the Jubilee line ends. It turns out to be quite an exciting and scary ride. You can watch my short video here to find out why. Then the must-walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, Chinatown for dinner, Portobello St. for a morning chill-out, and Oxford Street for shopping. Time flies! People are rushing around you, the city is bustling, and yet I feel relaxed. There is something about the hustle and bustle of this city that makes me feel alive. I really don't know how to describe it. There is a famous saying: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". Well, I guess I'm not as tired of life as I thought.  |
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