Tourist… Thursday? Ok, I know I’m late posting, again. And yes, I’ve had content for both recipe posts and Tourist Tuesdays and haven’t posted, but the truth is I’ve been having too much fun out in the world that I haven’t wanted to come in and write. But, I’m here now and today we have a big post with lots of pictures all about my recent trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. Get your coffee or tea and settle in. It’s a long one today in part because I’m so excited about this place and in part because I don’t like to edit down.  

I went to Reykjavik for about 4 days with my friend Anna. She and I used to work together at Ford’s Theatre, and although I don’t remember how we transitioned from coworkers to friends I’m so glad we did. With most people you can’t be super gushy but with Anna it’s easy to say what you think, what you feel, and hug and be smushy and not feel weird when you tell her she’s the greatest. Anyway, she is the greatest because she planned practically our whole fantastic trip.

We stayed at the Leifur Eiriksson Hotel which is the white building just right of center in the foreground of the photo above. The hotel is named for Leif Eiriksson who discovered American well before Christopher Columbus. The place was cozy, included breakfast, is centrally located so it was easy to walk everywhere, and is sat right outside the massive Hallgrimskirkja – a church which has a Leif Eiriksson sculpture outside it.

The church is very modern. Construction started in 1954 and was finished in 1986. The church stands massively over the skyline of Reykjavik, even though the observatory underneath the bell tower is just on the 8th floor. The inside is fairly minimalist with plain glass windows letting in the daylight and simple modern paintings decorating the altar and walls. Anyone can wander inside the church and for a small fee you and can take the lift up to the top of the church and look out over the city. It’s immensely beautiful and lovely to see just how colorful Reykjavik actually is. However, be careful if you go up when the bells chime. Anna and I were up there at quarter past the hour and the sounds of the bells was near deafening.

We did spend a lot of time wandering around Reykjavik just to get a feel for the city. We spent a bit of time exploring Harpa, the concert hall (above). The building is right along the water and its walls are made of 3D glass geometric shapes that look like crystals and at night they light up with purple lights.

We went inside to see the glass up close. Inside was gorgeous, especially as the setting sun shone through. I felt like if you were inside a beehive made of prisms. I’m not sure if that sounds nice, but it’s what I thought of. I also loved the statue outside of Erling Blöndal Bengtsson with the mountains and pink sky in the background.

While in Iceland, I also learned a bit about Icelandic Folklore. We learned that people believed (and believe) in trolls, elves, and at Christmastime the Yule Lads. Anna and I saw these trolls outside of a souvenir shop, but we also think we saw some trolls frozen into rocks when we went hiking. I was especially taken with the Yule Lads and bought a Christmas tea towel with a picture of them on it. In Iceland, instead of Santa the thirteen Yule Lads leave presents in the shoes of Icelandic children in the nights leading up to Christmas. But seriously, I encourage you to consider reading more about them because their mom is supposed to be kind of evil and they have a feral cat and it’s all very interesting.

During our first full day, Anna and I visited the National Museum of Iceland. On the walk there we passed a beautiful lake and saw ducks swimming and other people trying to feed swans while getting dangerously close.

In the museum we learned a bit about Icelandic heritage. We learned the first settlers in Iceland were Norwegian. We learned that Iceland became Christian a little over a thousand years ago – but in the transition there was a mix of pagan and Christian iconography. The sculpture in the top right above is a depiction of Thor, but also with some Christian symbols.

Other objects I was taken with were those having to do with vikings, drinking horns, and also the loom. Iceland sweaters are popular with tourists and locals alike and I enjoyed the loom with big thick threads and heavy volcanic rocks weighing down the yarn. Of course, I also made Anna play in the “hands-on” children’s gallery, which is where I got the fun opportunity to dress like a viking.

After the museum we found a park with a playground and went climbing on this red rope structure. The two of us decided to try to hang by our knees like children. We could do it, but it didn’t fill us with the same sense of freedom it did when we were kids. Instead if made us a little nervous. But the climbing part was really fun. I really enjoy the photo of Anna below. It looks like it should be in a catalog. What it’s selling I don’t know, but I think it could be used to sell something.

In addition to touring the city, Anna and I also made time to get out and see some natural beauty. We booked the Golden Circle & Fontana Wellness Center Tour with Reykjavik Excursions. With this tour we got to see some beautiful outdoor sights and we got to relax in geothermal baths. Awesome right?! First though let me tell you, it rained horribly throughout this whole day and my camera got wet. Therefore the photos are spotty. I prefer that you choose to see these photos with a “romantic glow” instead of categorizing them with the more low-brow term of “blurry.” Ok, are you in the right mindset? Good. Now you can keep scrolling.

I do want to tell you that Anna and I were the dumb tourists who initially missed our bus to the tour and were a little bit late and held everyone up. We felt bad about it and we were only 7 minutes late – but since both of us work in tourist industries we thought we’d use this experience to help better empathize and be kind to visitors to our respective workplaces. The first thing we saw on the tour was geysers! Above is Geysir. The name comes from the Icelandic word meaning “to gush” and it’s how we name all other geysers. This geyser is actually the first geyser to have been recorded in writing. It doesn’t erupt very frequently anymore, but is still impressive in size.

However, nearby is Strokkur (below) which is smaller but erupts every few minutes. The first time we saw it go off Anna and I were quietly chatting nearby. It went off and I yelped and Anna took a few steps back. The water didn’t come anywhere near us, but it’s worth it to be cautious. There are signs everywhere saying the water is between 80-100°C (176-212°F) and the water can go up to 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) high!After the geysers, we were taken to see Gullfoss – a waterfall located in a canyon of the river Hvítá. The waterfall is huge and plunges downward in what looks two steps of a staircase.

The sound of the rushing water is intense and the mist sprays everywhere. It is an incredible place and so vast. Look at how tiny the people are in the photo above. Iceland in general, and places like this specifically, made continuously remember how incredible nature is and that it’s nice and daunting to be such a tiny part of it. Also, did you noticed that all of my winter clothes are the brightest colors?! Anna was never going to lose me in a crowd with all those colors.

After Gullfoss we went to relax at the Fontana Wellness Center. Anna and I made what some might consider a controversial decision – we chose not to visit the Blue Lagoon. It’s expensive, crowded, and far away. We thought between Fontana and another tour (which I’ll tell you about in next week’s Tourist Tuesday) that we’d get the experience of natural beauty plus relaxation. We totally did get everything we wanted and I have no regrets at all.

I couldn’t take any pictures while actually in the water, but I’ll tell you about it. Fontana has a number of different baths of varying temperature. Let me just say upfront, even though some of the baths felt like being in a pool, all the water comes from natural hot springs. One pool just felt like a shallow but very warm public pool – although the fanciest pool I’d ever been to. Another was slightly warmer and deeper, good for swimming, and Anna and I played some games trying to see who could push themselves off the wall and travel furthest across the pool. One was designed to look outdoorsy, it was unfiltered, and had large rocks to sit on. There was also a hot tub that was at 38°C/100°F. That felt glorious. At first it was like pins and needles but then it felt decadent. It was even better because once we left the hot tub the cold 4°C/40°F Icelandic air didn’t feel bad at all. We also were brave and ran in to the freezing lake (Anna to her knees and me to my calves). It was frigid mainly, but it was amazing that in some spots you could put one foot in warm water and one foot in freezing water.

We lounged in the water a lot. It was ridiculously relaxing. Also at Fontana, we got to eat some traditional Icelandic Rye bread. Nowadays baked usually in an oven, this bread is traditionally made using the heat of the ground! It’s buried in the ground, which is at about 100°C/212°F and it’s left there for 24 hours to bake the bread. While we were there we watched Linda bury new bread, unearth yesterday’s bread, and then she cut it for all of us to try. It was hearty yet sweet. Naturally I got the recipe and will be trying it out for myself soon.

The last stop on this tour was to Thingvellir, which is where you can see the crest of the Mid-Atlantic ridge. This is the only part of the mountain range where it’s above water. It’s space that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. It’s amazing. Honestly, it’s one of the most astounding things I’ve ever seen in my whole life. All those things I learned in school about the earth moving and changing can be seen here. I can literally stand in a place where the earth is splitting. It was incredible.

Also, in case you’re interested, sometimes Game of Thrones films here. But, this place was amazing not only because of what it is, but also because of the way it looks. The autumn colors were like a post card. I know it’s hard to see in my dark and rainy photos, but believe me it was patchwork of warm colors. The tour guide said he thought it would all be gone in a week and then it would be truly winter.

I loved this place also for the mixture of hard and soft together. The rocks are hard and craggy and almost scary and angry looking. But then the flowers and trees creep in and over them and it becomes somehow gentler. Living in a city I get so separated from the outdoors and nature. I liked seeing nature at work. For example, the photo directly above is of a lava rock. I really love the grooves. It looks like a fingerprint.

Finally, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t tell you about all the food that we ate. Coffee houses are popular in Reykjavik so we were sure to partake. We started with one called Mokka where we had cappuccinos and crispy waffles with jam and whipped cream. The whipped cream was hardly sweet but so fluffy and airy that I had to have a few spoonful straight even after I’d finished the waffle. We also loved the quirky atmosphere of Babalu where I had hot chocolate with sprinkles and the sugariest lemon crepe ever.

Iceland is also known for its hot dog stands and I love hot dogs. Anna and I did a two-stop hot dog tour. The hot dogs are a mix of meats but always include lamb. We stopped at the first stand and got one hot dog with the works – which includes a sweet mustard, onions, and fried onions. It was delicious and on a toasted bun. As we ate it we walked over to the better known Bæjarins Beztu, which has been in continuous operation since the 1950’s. Apparently even Bill Clinton has eaten here. It was delicious there too, but I was a little pouty since I spilled mustard down the front of my coat. Anna and I then went into a long conversation analyzing the hot dogs and we decided the first stand was our favorite because of the bun. For the life of me I cannot find the name of that place, and so I apologize if you’re ever in Reykjavik. But for the record, you can’t go wrong with either. 

I do wish we had just half a day more so we could have gone on a whale and puffin boat tour. Unfortunately, we weren’t organized enough so instead on the last day we wandered the docks to look at the water. While we were there we decided to have lunch at Kaffivagninn. We had a creamy soup, artic char, and this lovely view of the water and the top of Hallgrimskirkja. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you’re by the water.

On our last day, we were also determined to do two things. First, we went to Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool. After we went to Fontana, we couldn’t get enough of lounging in warm water. I highly recommend doing this as it might be one of the cheapest options available. For 650 ISK, which is £3.38 or $5.24 you get access to a big heated pool plus a few “hot pots” and a geothermal pool. The highlights were the large twisty water slide (which we rode twice) and the 44°C/111°F hot pot. We were practically boiling but it was great.

And the second thing we did was have a big fancy meal with lots of seafood. After browsing some menus we went to Apotek. Anna and I had cocktails and a six course meal which left us nearly comatose and definitely food-drunk. I had a strawberry sriracha margarita – which while not spicy had a little heat and was less sickly sweet than an regular margarita. Anna had a cocktail with dill and gin, which was so refreshing. And then both of us had a shot of Brennivín, an Icelandic snaps (schnapps). The name translates to English as “burning wine,” but it wasn’t really that bad.

For dinner we had a bite of puffin, which we were nervous about but tried. It was dark in color and had the texture of a really meaty fish. It was generally nice, salty, and unexpected – but we felt one small bite was enough. After that we had perch, seared tuna (which was served on a brick of pink salt!), trout, plaice, and then a rack of lamb. For dessert an incredibly silky chocolate rose. Our expectation was that with a six course meal every course would be fairly small. We were wrong. Every dish was about 75% of the size of a regular entree. We had so much food and by the time we had the lamb (which was tender, perfectly cooked, and in a great sauce) we were stuffed. It was an indulgent end to a perfectly indulgent few days. We waddled back to the hotel to pack and chat into the wee hours.

Iceland is truly lovely. A place so beautiful, interesting, and connected to nature. I felt inspired, adventurous, and relaxed. We did a lot and it was everything a vacation should be. However, I’ve saved the best thing for next week. Next week’s Tourist Tuesday is all about a tour Anna and I took with Iceland Activities. Here’s a teaser: there was a hike, a geothermal bath, and the Norther Lights. Come back again next week, it’s worth it.

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The Friday before my birthday I took the day off and Ryan took a half day. There is something extra indulgent and exhilarating about having a random day off when you’re meant to be working and everyone you know is still at work. With our special day off we decided to go to Portobello Market.

When we first moved to London we went to the market on a Saturday. I mentioned this trip briefly when I made sausage rolls. During that trip we ate some food, went to Books for Cooks and I got a cookbook, and we walked around a bit. However, the crowds were punishing. Around the food stalls we were able to peak in and browse a bit, but towards the antiques the sea of humanity was so thick we could only walk forwards, crane our necks to try to glimpse anything at all, and yearn for when the crowds would begin to disperse. The best part of the day was getting fish and chips and having a quiet picnic in the park. However, what we were able to see that day piqued our interest and we knew we’d have to go back, but not on a Saturday.

This trip we started out by the antiques side of things. In this part of Notting Hill we got to see the iconic pastel colored housing. They are so cheery which I really enjoy. I also find it really fun to browse among the stacks and stalls of charming antiques and knick-knacks. The truth is I love little bits and bobs. I like looking in shops, touching things, and imagining it in a future room or house (even if it’s not mine). I especially like things with a bit of personality. I like things that remind me of a place where I’ve visited, or make me feel like I’m in my favorite book, or make me laugh. And that’s what made the market so fun.

We saw gorgeous old wooden storage boxes with company names and trades printed on the sides. Where they really old? I have no idea. But they look cool and would make you smile when you see it in your house. We saw stacks of beautiful flowered print tea pots, cups, and china patterns. I even saw one pattern that nearly matched the red china patterns of the dishes my mom has. It felt like such a small world to see a bit of home at the market. And I saw rows of feathered, laced, and girly fascinators (those tiny hat things on a headband) – which I badly wanted to buy but have no real use for. That’s one of those English things I really want to do – be invited to a place where I’m meant to wear a fascinator. There’s so much to see and the market is a place where you’d love to take things home, but just looking is also lots of fun too.

Ryan and I browsed in a store that sold old maps and engravings. We saw maps that were hundreds of years old, beautiful flower drawings, and much more. A few objects were outside to flip through, but Ryan and I went in to see more. Inside the shop things were arranged by topic or geographic location. Ryan mostly looked at the maps and I looked around to see what was most unusual. My favorite section was the engravings about professions and I found many detailed and ornate drawings about dentistry. I’m not a fan of the dentist, but it helped me have a different appreciation for them after seeing artfully drawn images of molars and people sitting in the dentist’s chair.

The end of the day was all about food. We walked through the fruit and vegetable market ogling everything. The strawberries were fat and red, the olives were shiny and colorful, the pizzas were gooey and cheesy. Needless to say, we wanted everything. We decided on cheese fries and we inhaled them. So often cheese fries are fries topped with imitation cheese sauce but these – these were topped with real sharp cheddar cheese and rosemary sprinkled on top. The cheese had a bite but also a rich creamy flavor. Ryan and I even fought a bit over who could have the best cheesy bites. After that snack, we had lunch at a nearby place and had pie and mash while sitting outside at a table on the street. I love being outside when ordinarily I’d be inside at work. Finally, we decided to walk off the food with a long walk along the canal. I don’t know if it’s possible to have a better Friday afternoon off – we saw some cool things (but bought nothing), we lusted after food (and also ate some too), and we took a stroll through London (well we took the tube halfway home). With such success, I think we should take the day off more often!

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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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Update 18 November 2015: In this post I originally wrote about a company called RelayRides. They have since rebranded and are now called Turo. All links below have been updated.

I woke up this morning and there was snow on the ground. Not much. Nothing compared to what my family in the US is dealing with. But it was there. And for me, that was it. I’m done with winter. I’m officially dreaming of warm weather and spring vacations to sunny climates. However, my next big trip isn’t a tropical escape, but I am really excited about it. In March I’m heading to Washington, DC (for the first time since moving to London) for my best friend Mala’s wedding! I absolutely can’t wait. I’ve been planning who I’m going to see and where I’m going to eat.

Then, I heard about the RelayRides travel-must haves challenge, and I thought, “yeah, maybe I should think about what to pack.” Because what you bring can help ease travel stress and help start the vacation off right. So I decided to participate in the challenge and make my own travel essential list. 

If you haven’t heard of RelayRides, they are a pretty cool company that I’m excited to check out further when I’m in DC. RelayRides is a peer-to-peer car rental company. So basically, you can rent cars directly from the car owner. No more being confused about fees and rules and gas (like I was when we rented a car over Christmas). This system seems so much easier. And as an owner, you can list your car, approve who uses it, and choose where and when you rent it.  There’s even airport rentals! It seems pretty cool and more accessible than regular car rental. Also, if you’re a city person who doesn’t use you car everyday (like I totally used to be), it seems like a genius idea to make a little money with a car that would otherwise just be sitting there.

But let’s get back to the list. The actual traveling part of traveling can be a challenge. I hope this list will help you get comfortable, combat travel funk, and help you stay relaxed. I haven’t included the obvious things like travel documents, your computer, your phone, or your phone charger. Those are beyond essential, they are common sense. Overall, I think this list can work for short weekend trips or long overseas adventures. Hope it helps and inspires you to take a trip soon too! Now without any further ado here’s my list in two parts. Part one is the basics, part two is what you pack in your carry on.

1. A Backpack with lots of pockets – I don’t like having everything dumped into one black pit of a bag. Lots of little pockets helps keeps me organized, which means I can find what I want and keep my travel stress to a minimum. Ryan and I have this North Face backpack, which works wells. It’s unisex design means on day trips we can share carrying it with no embarrassment. It’s also perfect for an airplane carry on.

2. Fuzzy socks – It’s awful to be stuck on a long ride and be cold. I always bring socks so I can feel cozy, which helps me sleep better if I’m on a long bus or plane ride. I pack socks in my bag even in the summer because you never know how high the AC will be.

3. Toothbrush and Toothpaste – This is so important when you’re taking long flights, trains, or bus rides. There is something about long bursts of travel that makes your mouth taste awful. Bring this little kit and you have everything you need to feel a little fresher. The small plastic pouch is also great because you can stick in a lip balm, some bobby pins, or a few other tiny things you may need. If you’re only doing a day trip, then substitute the toothbrush and paste for mints. You never regret having nice breath.

4. Comfortable underwear – You might think this is a ridiculous one, but I stand by it. There are so many ways that traveling can be uncomfortable. You don’t want your underwear falling down while lifting a heavy bag. And you don’t want it creeping up while you’re stuck in a tiny airplane seat. Wear comfy undies! I like Under Armour underwear the best for travel. They are soft, breathable, and stay in place.

5. Light layers – This particular jacket is on my wishlist, it’s the LL Bean Discovery Rain Jacket, which folds down into a tiny bag. Again, it can be cold or hot while in transit – and then when you get where you’re going you want to be ready for anything. A light jacket is perfect. I’m lusting after the LL Bean one largely because it’s waterproof and a space saver.

6. Headphones – This should be intuitive and go along with my phone and computer, but somehow I always forget headphones. For me they are a must so I can list to my podcasts, movies, and music while I’m waiting to board or riding the bus. I used to be against the kind that sticks in your ears like this, but now I like how they block out noise. My favorites are Skullcandy Headphones.

7. Lip balm – This is a hugely girl thing to say but  here it is: I get complainy when I have dry lips so lip balm is a must. My favorite right now is eos Blueberry Acai lip balm. It doesn’t really fit in a pocket, which means it has to live in the backpack, and that means I don’t forget it. Also in a real pinch, you can use a bit of lip balm to tame some frizz. It’s weird but true.

8. Baby wipes – This is the thing I never remember and always want. Perfect for removing travel stink after a long flight, and also good for cleaning your hands after you have a picnic of greasy street food.

9. Snacks – You never know when hungry is going to turn into hangry (hungry+angry). Always keep snacks! I like to keep something for both me and Ryan. I like something with a little protein, like the KIND Cranberry Almond Bars to keep us full. I also like something sweet, like Sour Patch Kids, to keep us happy.

10. Water Bottle – Cheaper and more earth friendly than buying water when you’re out in the world. This Vapur 0.5 Litres Anti-Bottle doesn’t hold a ton, but it folds down so it’s easy to carry and not heavy at all.

11. Inflatable Neck Pillow – I used to be anti-neck pillow, but now I love them. Keeps you from getting a cramp in your neck on a long flight. And, if you have the middle seat it keeps your head up so you don’t slump onto strangers. Inflatable is great too because it flattens down so it’s not in the way when you don’t need it.

12. Camera – I have a Nikon COOLPIX, it’s a fancy-ish point and shoot camera and I love it. For so long I was just using my camera phone thinking everything was ok, but it wasn’t. A real camera gives you better clarity, more zoom, and overall nicer photos. Yeah, the camera takes up a ton of space, but it’s worth it for capturing your memories.

Ok, that’s my must have of things. But, here’s a bonus, three tips for things to do before your trip so you can stay relaxed after. 

1. Take out the trash.
2. Clean out the fridge.
3.  Tidy up a bit. (As in empty the dishwasher, put away the laundry or scrub the toilet… whatever needs doing)

Do these three things and you won’t come home to smells, things growing, or chores. You will be so happy that past you was such a smartie! When you return home you’ll get to sit on the couch and simply bask in the glow of your holiday.

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On Saturday, Ryan planned for us to go to Hampton Court Palace. This was Henry VIII’s home. What you might not know about me is that I’m crazy about Tudor history. I have read so many books, both fiction and non-fiction. I was obsessed with the Tudors TV show. I had TWO mugs that when you put hot water in them, Henry’s wives would disappear. I love Tudor history so I was really excited for this trip. I was buzzing with excitement. I was the kind of excited children get when you take them to Disney. For all I have read about Henry VIII, I never thought about going to see his palaces or anywhere else related to him. So Ryan planning all this, was fulfilling a dream I didn’t even know I had. It was amazing.  He won some major husband points. Anyway, let me nerd out a ton so I can tell you about my greatest day.

We get there and we’re in line to buy tickets, and I convince Ryan that we should become members. We get free admission to Hampton Court and five other places! One visit to Hampton Court and the Tower of London (which I haven’t done yet but am DYING to) covers the cost of the membership. So now we’re members and I’m so flipping exciting because now I can go back whenever I want. We walk in and I’m overwhelmed with things to look at. We started in the kitchens where costumed interpreters were actually cooking meals. One guys was making a crown out of marzipan and gold foil! He was saying you can actually ground up lapis lazuli into fine powder and put it on the crown, but that it doesn’t taste very good. We saw huge casks for wine and ale and a gigantic fire place. It was so amazing.

We then went out to the main courtyard to meet up with a costumed interpreter for a mini tour. The main court has a fountain that ran with wine! WINE. How cool is that? We met our guide, Jane Seymour’s father (before he was father-in-law to the king), and he took us to meet the king himself! I took one picture and it has half a guy’s head in it but oh well. We listened to that for awhile, then peeled off from the tour to look around for ourselves. Ryan and I picked up the audio guide, which was well worth it! The guide is told with lots of voices, from curators, historians, and costumed interpreters. The screen on the device also shows images and videos, which was a really cool touch. Not only did the guide tell us about the history, but it also told about the conservation of the palace and its contents.

We used the audio guide to tour Henry’s apartments. I was blown away by the great hall. There were amazing tapestries and huge stained glass windows. The room was arranged with long tables and on the table cloths were printed period appropriate etiquette tips. Over the course of the tour we saw where he married Catherine Parr, where Katherine Howard screamed for her freedom, and where Henry went to church. In one hallway there was a painting of Henry with his children and the deceased Jane Seymour. I have read so much about that painting that when I saw it, I audibly gasped.

After that, we toured the gardens, which were truly spectacular. There were immaculately trimmed trees, bright flowers, and beautiful fountains. I can’t adequately describe the love, attention, and beauty that is evident in the gardens so you’ll just have to look at my pictures to understand. Also, I took a creeper photo of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’s father strolling through the gardens. Is it possible to be star struck by a long dead monarch? If so, I totally was. I loved the trip and left with a souvenir kitchen towel. It’s completely tacky with pictures of Henry VIII and all his wives. I don’t care that it’s tacky. I love it.

Sunday, it was drizzly and we were tired from our long day trip, so we stayed in. I made breakfast and then we went out to the pub later to watch the Arsenal game. I decided to make this breakfast because I thought it looked cool – and that’s really the only reason to make this. It does look cool, but basically it’s toast and eggs. So unless you’re showing off, save yourself the effort and make a regular breakfast. If you’re looking to get mildly fancy, then this is the recipe for you. It’s yummy and satisfying and a nice Sunday brunch treat.

Ingredients:

butter

bread (as many slices as eggs you want to make)

eggs (as many as slices of bread)

salt & pepper (to season)

Directions:

1. Use a glass, or a circular cookie cutter, to cut a hole out of the center of the bread. Set the circle aside.

2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. If you’re making more than one slice of bread, you may need to lower the heat between batches so you don’t burn the bread.

3. Melt the butter in the skillet. When it’s melted, add the slice of bread. Let it cook until it is just getting golden brown. For the first slice this may take 5 minutes or more, for later slices when the pan is hot, it can take 1-2 minutes.

4. When the bread is getting golden, crack the egg into the bread’s hole. I cracked the egg in a glass first then poured it in the skillet.

5. Let the egg cook until the egg white is set enough that you can get a spatula under it. You can flip it after 1 minute if you want a runny yolk, or you can wait longer.

6. Flip the egg and bread. Cook for 1 minute, more if you want the yolk mostly cooked through.

7. Remove from the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Use the bread’s circle to sop up extra yolk.

8. If you’re making more than one, be sure to butter the skillet between times.

Messy level:  Two spoons. The first one I flipped I splattered egg white all over the pan. After that I was more careful and let it cook longer. Other than that, there was no mess!

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Throughout the flight I was excited and ready to arrive, but once I landed I was filled with fear. First, I live here now. This is where we live! This is real. It hit me all at once. And second, I got scared that maybe I wouldn’t be able to find Ryan at the airport. I know that seems small, but we had a rough go at an airport before. I had flashbacks to seven years earlier when Ryan and I were supposed to meet in Madrid. Weather had gotten in the way, things went horribly wrong, and we did not meet each other. Luckily, Ryan and I saw each other immediately and I had no reason to be afraid. He had gotten there early and was ready and waiting to meet me. Everything is going to be all right. We took the tube home to our new flat, it was pleasant and easy. And that was that, I now live in London. 

Our current flat is cute but very tiny. Here’s a picture of the temporary home of cooking is messy. It has a sink, a refrigerator (bottom right cabinet) and two burners. Oh and of course, an electric kettle. I am in England after all. The kitchen also came with a knife block, some dishes, cups, and utensils. In one of my giant suitcases, I brought some additional kitchen items like oven mitts, spatulas, and cookbooks. With all that, I think I’ll be able to make at least a few things for the blog. We’re going to try spaghetti today, but I’ll work on being fancier in the future. But I can’t get too crazy, there’s a little sign that says there’s a £200 fine for setting the fire alarm off for “heavy cooking.” Eep. So I better be careful.

In general news, Ryan and I spent the day walking around our area of London. We bought breakfast at a local shop then ate in a park. We went to King’s Cross where I got to push the cart at Platform 9 3/4. I love Harry Potter and was really excited for this! We also went to lunch in a pub where we had what we knew to be traditional pub food. Each of us had a pint, Ryan had fish and chips, and I had bangers & mash. I gotta say, I’m no Brit because one pint at 2:00pm made me flushed. But it was all a really tasty meal. We then walked around the British Museum until we were overheated and exhausted. All in all, a great first day in London.

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