London Day 3 and 4, The National Gallery, City Stroll, and A Sweet End to my Europe Trip

Friday May 30th

Another day in the work week for Louis, and Joe having done his time yesterday, I went back into Central London for a solo day of exploration. After the miss I had with the British Museum the day before, I did my research and it was the National Gallery that I had actually wanted to see. My appreciation and love for art developed during my study abroad that I was so excited to see London’s art exhibition. And let me say, it did not disappoint. 

The National Gallery is on Trafalgar Square, bustling with activity and people but another stumble on a beautiful spot in the city. I was feeling a bit emotional as my trip was nearing an end and there was something so sweet about feeling as though the last two weeks, I was living in Europe. My dream, and it felt truly like I was living it out. Traveling around alone, feeling like a local (minus my camera around my neck) in each place, and seeing a familiar face in each city. I was also trying to comprehend what a unique trip this was that I could hop around Europe, visiting friends and family, feeling a sense of home in each city I was in. An incredible experience that I didn’t want to end, yet today felt like the beginning of it. I was preparing myself to have to say goodbye to this momentary bliss in life. I don’t now how it is, but whenever I am in Europe, I feel like I am my truest self, a feeling of absolute contentment with myself and the life I’m living. To give up that feeling and go home, I wasn’t ready just yet. I wiped my tears, watery eyes staring out at the Square, as I had today and tomorrow to live it up, and I wouldn’t take it for granted.

The National Gallery was an art museum beyond my wildest dreams. Shooting to the top of the list of my favorite museums, alongside the Louvre, el Prado, and Uffizi. The art was incredible. I walked around in great joy, I wanted to see every painting in this place, revisit my favorites, and feel inspiration seep into me. Inspiration that I could take home and spark action in my life to create. I have a dream to not let life just pass me by, consuming things made that are enjoyable, but to also be the provider of such joy in others lives. I want to be a creator, not just that of normal things, but create something beautiful, moving, impactful. Hold me to it, this blog is my first step into the creative space, and I hope there is much more in store.  

I was craving falafel and found a stand in Piccadilly Circus. Another fun spot to check out, grab food, but make my way to a park because I wanted to recreate the park picnic while in the city. Blossoming in Berlin, I would savor the opportunities to picnic while in the city. Just a 10 minute walk from the falafel place was the Buckingham Palace Gardens, specifically the Green Park.

I sat in the grass, ate my lunch, and had a think. Solo travel to me is the perfect opportunity to reflect. Resisting the urge to grab your phone when alone, but to look up and out at the sights around you and get comfortable with yourself and your thoughts. This was truly a pivotal time in my life and there was so much I had to consider. Again, I found myself living out a dream, traveling Europe visiting friends, how can I keep this feeling going? Of happiness and contentment? What changes do I need to make in my life now, to live out the life I want? How much courage will it take to move out of Minnesota? Am I giving up something good living in MN? Or, what if it could be better? What if there is so much more out there, so much more for me to grow, experience, and live? That’s the real question, if the risk is worth taking. And this trip has shown me what it might feel like moving somewhere new and the new people you can meet and surround yourself with.

I didn’t have a ton on my agenda for the day besides the art museum. So, I did what I love, walking. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to walk home like I do here, so I took full advantage of the afternoon I had before heading back to Louis’s neighborhood for the evening plans of Clapham Common picnic. I went on a 10 mile walk, just about, so follow along these photos to see where I all went and saw!

I walked to Buckingham Palace, to Big Ben again, Westminster Abbey, along the Thames, to Battersea Mall, to Clapham Common. Those were the big points in the journey, but along the way I stumbled on the cutest parks, cool living areas, and the cutest British homes. I had time to kill before the picnic started which was why I chose to just walk it. 

Walking around London!

I met Louis and his friends at the picnic at it was so much fun. I met about 15 people, a gamut of individuals from different walks of life and it was the coolest get together. I felt like I got to know them so well, and they were all amazing people. I feel as though I left London with so many more friends than I came here with, and I was beyond grateful to connect with these people. We stayed at the park until dark, chatting, playing sport, and snacking on the goodies picked up at the store right before. We also went to the Windmill and a bar to dance to finish off the night. I had so much fun, not even doing anything outstanding or incredible, but I recall the feeling of commonality and connection with the people I met and that stuck with me.

A night of good conversation and good fun with an awesome crew of people. Another great day in London, my love for the city was starting to grow, however, more for the people than anything else. But isn’t that the real reason we love a place?

Saturday May 31st

My last day in Europe, and I felt the weight of that very fact on my heart. There were a handful of things Louis and I thought up to do before I had to leave for my flight at 5pm. First up, Primrose Hill. Louis and I were strategizing how to get there. I didn’t want to bike, we could’ve taken the tube, but Louis offered to drive which ended up being the fastest way there. I was just excited to sit in the driver's seat without having to actually drive so I was down for the ride. 

It was such a beautiful day, windows down, music playing, me staring out at the beautiful Central London. A great start to the day is exactly what you are hearing. Before climbing up the hill, we walked into town and stopped for breakfast, both getting toast and coffee. We sat outside, felt the sun on our skin, and soaked up the perfect slow morning. I also stopped in the bookstore next door and saw Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, a book I was seeing featured at every store in London, so I added it to my must read list (Which I read in July and was a completely new and different read about the relationship of two brothers suffering the loss of a family member).

Next up, take in the view of London from Primrose Hill. We had a lot left on our to do list for the day so we stayed until it was time for the next. It really did offer a great view of the city, gathered with other people that want to appreciate the same as you. A lovely feeling to be outside, being present and appreciating where your feet are. Here I had a conversation with Louis about seeing the city of London. I felt so inspired by his effort to experience all he could here. His weekend routine included the following - Saturday: He twirls his finger over the map of London and where it lands is where he goes to explore for the day. Bringing friends with him, biking around everywhere, and appreciating the place he can now say he is familiar with. I think it is easy to keep to your quarters, to not venture out near your hometown because there is the idea that it will always be there. I want to be better about that. There are so many places in Minneapolis and even Minnesota that I haven’t seen, and I’ve lived there for 23 years. Before I leave, I have work to do, and this was the perfect reminder that your home can offer just as much to do and see as somewhere you travel to. It’s the lust for life, for exploration, for gratitude and appreciation, and love for the people in your life to join you in the adventure. The pursuit of living. 

And Sunday he rests after a long week of working and sightseeing. Balance and a sound weekly routine if I’ve ever heard one. 

Next was Camden market, I had no idea that it would be such a tourist attraction but boy it was. Louis was looking for some sunglasses and I was scoping out souvenirs. I haggled a London cap to 10 pounds and was happy with the memento I picked up. I was also eying up food, they had a ton of great options at the market, but I was still pretty full from the avocado toast at Primrose. We stayed there until it was time for me to get back and be able to pack up before heading to the airport. The day flew by and all I wished for was more time. We didn’t get to everything on the list, but I was still so happy with the new places I got to see and the last bit of quality time I could spend with my friend before who knows when I would see him next. We were predicting it to take us 50 minutes to get back. So when I saw the ETA was 1.5 hours to just go a couple miles, I was starting to get nervous about making my flight. But, there was nothing we could do about the traffic, and we just chatted our way back. We had one last conversation about courage and making new friends, as we both want to move away from home, me to Cali and him to Australia. Again, he encouraged me to never let fear be a decision factor in whether I move away from home. I will take that to heart as I have my sights set to see more of this world and not let the thousands of reasons to stay stop me from the sole reason I have for leaving - living out my dream. 

When we got back, I quickly packed up, said goodbye to his roommates and then Louis drove me to the train station that connects to Gatwick. Just as it was hard saying goodbye to Natalia in Berlin, this was a similar feeling as I came to London to visit my friend, and I had no plans in the near future to come back. Even so, I’ve been feeling the need to explore more of the US as my own country has much to offer, so that was also on my mind that this was a goodbye to Europe for a while. It was hard goodbye, saying farewell both to my friend and to the incredible journey I embarked on. I’m an absolute sap, but the two things I value most in life - relationships and travel - were coming to a close and I couldn’t bear wrapping my mind around both. But, I will say this over and over again, how lucky we are to be sad. To have had something so great in life, that when the time has come, for the end of that season in your life, you mourn the departure because it was so good. You were so happy. How amazing that I just had two weeks in absolute bliss, living. Truly living. And loving every minute of this incredible life of mine. So, although I was sad, it was paired with gratitude, and the two made my heart ache as I arrived in Gatwick, boarded my flight to Prague, and began my journey home to MSP.

The end of one amazing trip, to which I say thank you to the friends I learned so much from and appreciated so dearly, to having the best time, to experiencing everything I did, to growing as a person, and to gaining the clarity I needed going forward in this dear life of mine.