London has so many places where you can go and walk outside and wander around. Camden Market is one of those amazing places. And maybe this statement will bring down a load of judgement, but before I moved here I didn’t even know this place existed! But now that I know about it, I think it’s wonderful and that every one should go. First of all, look how pretty it is by the water! And then beyond that there’s so much food, shopping, and people watching to be done. For real, Ryan and I saw a lady with purple hair and a guy with a mohawk feeding a parrot an ice cream cone.

But anyway, Camden Market is near the Hampstead Road Lock of the Regent’s Canal and is technically made up of three markets: the Union, the Lock, and the Stables. And the whole area is crowded and full of everything you could ever want to buy, eat, see – and tons of things you probably never thought of. The first time Ryan and I went was shortly after we moved here. Our landlord was putting furniture in the flat and we had to clear out for a little. We got there hungry and were overwhelmed by the vast array of food stalls. 

That first time I got a Peruvian lunch sample platter with chicken, rice, beans and tons of other stuff. Ryan got a really juicy steak sandwich. This past weekend we got potatoes and Polish kielbasa, a slice of red velvet cake, and some churros stuffed with chocolate sauce. We also ran into some friends who had just had Mexican food. So you see, in such a small space you everyone can get what they want and also find foods from all over the world.

Truly though I don’t know if my pictures or words can truly explain how much is going on in Camden. Besides food there is everything to buy. There are cheesy tourist t-shirts, beautiful scarves, jewelry (I bought 3 pairs of earrings this weekend), and lots of leather goods. There are stalls of fine china and antique tea sets. Old maps, leather books, and piles of old trunks and suitcases. Ryan and I spent a somewhat long time looking at the suitcases and trunks and sort of lusting after them. He wanted a big one to use as decorative storage. I wanted a small one to use to bring things to work. Later when we saw someone who has actually purchased a mid-sized suitcase covered in a few antique stickers – we both sighed a little with jealousy.

 What I love most about Camden Market is that there’s always something else going on in any direction. In the picture above, on the bridge is a baraat for an Indian wedding. In the bottom left, is just a gorgeous tree carved around a staircase. And we’d walk down one aisle of  shops and then come to a cross roads and find another little cluster of stands. It was like being in a rabbit warren because everything connects, but somehow you continue on into an enclosed totally different world.

My favorite part of the whole thing is the Stable Market. Once upon a time, in the Victoria era the stables were actually stables. Specifically, it was used as a horse hospital for treating horses who were injured pulling barges down the canals. Based on the ground and gentle sloping ramps, you can still get a feel that this is a place for horses. But what I like best is all the statues and sculptures that give a nod to the place’s history.

Honestly, if you’ve got time during a visit to London, check out Camden Market. As I said at the top, Ryan and I first visited here shortly after we moved. I remember that first visit as exciting and a bit overwhelming. It was the start of our new life in London and this place just had so much going on! And this time, I still thought there was so much going on, but I liked that I felt more comfortable, more a part of it,  and more at home in London. It’s a really wonderful, bustling place to visit with such a cool vibe. It’s the perfect spot for a few photos, a souvenir, some food, a relaxing rest by the canal, and to see a vibrant and amazing part of London.

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We can finally start decorating because on Saturday, our landlord came and furnished our apartment! Yes, to answer your unspoken question, we’d been living in our apartment for a week without furniture. Now, it’s starting to feel more like a real place to live because we can put things away and actually sit and relax other places besides the air mattress.

While our landlord was furnishing our apartment, Ryan and I got the heck out of there and went to Camden Market. This place blew us away! There were so many stalls and so many ways to explore. I lusted after a hand-made black leather purse. I ooo-ed over a knit baby hat with a double-decker bus pattern, for all the many friends I have back home who are expecting. We saw antique cameras, books, board games, jewelry, scarves. It was glorious. We bought a painting of a Big Ben cityscape to decorate the bare walls of our apartment.

Our new table, chairs, and painting

While the vendor was mounting the painting, we went to have lunch. We were overwhelmed! We stood on a walkway and looked down at the food vendors. There were so many choices and we decided to do a lap before committing. We found Polish, Peruvian, Turkish, Mexican, Spanish, Jamaican, and Argentinian foods just to name a few. Everything looked amazing, nothing looked mediocre. We decided to each get something different and share. I can’t wait to go back and eat some more.

Even though Ryan and I were out an about this weekend, these cookies didn’t make it until the end of the day Sunday. We devoured them! Also, these cookies are gluten-free and tasty! I know more and more people  who are gluten-free, but I have a hard time finding a good gluten-free cookie recipe. These should fit the bill. This might ruin the gluten-free factor, but these are also great when you put a little nutella on them and make a peanut butter nutella cookie sandwich.

Adapted from pbs.org

Ingredients:

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 cup sugar (the cookies are pretty sweet this way, I think you can go down to 3/4 cup if you want)

1 large egg

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg.

3. In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.

4. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Take about 1-2 tbsp of dough and make it into a rough circle. Place it onto a cookie sheet. Arrange cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart from each other.

5. Use the tines of the fork to make a hash mark pattern on  your cookies. You don’t have to do this, but it seems to be part of every peanut butter cookie recipe.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

7. Let cool.

8. If desired, spread nutella onto a flat side of a cookie and top with another cookie. Peanut butter nutella sandwich cookie!

Messy level: One spoon. Four ingredients and all you have to do is stir, shape cookies, and bake! What could be easier?

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