Today I woke up and got moving, just as I hoped to. I went straight to one of the breakfast places that I had neglected earlier in the week, Lundenwic. I didn't have any other plans for the day other than the breakfast and I was planning on just taking it from there, knowing there were some options if all else failed like the London Eye, London Transport Museum, etc. When I got off the tube at Covent Garden, I discovered SUCH a gem. The entire surrounding area was a huge shopping district with stores all down the streets, but the gem came after breakfast. At the restaurant, I ordered my personal favorite breakfast, avocado toast and a mocha. They were both amazing and I was ready to be inspired. I walked back the way I thought I came but I wasn't recognizing the area as being the same. Instead, I found myself at the entrance to the Apple Market, a place I soon recognized from the last time I visited London last year.
The market was lined with real stores and also carts where people were selling handmade goods. I got really excited because my favorite part of trips is picking out presents for my friends and family. I won't divulge what all I got on here in case they read this but I got some great things. The market was completely different from anything we have in Atlanta. The closest comparison I could make is St. Phillips Cathedral's Saturday morning market where local farmers and artists come to sell their goods. I spent several hours in the market, going in the stores which ranged from high end chocolates, teas, baked goods, clothes, soaps, candles, and souvenirs. Once I had acquired an arm full of bags, I realized I would need to drop them off at the house before my planned afternoon activity. I ventured back to the house, dropped off the goods, and left with Bailey for our afternoon fun.
We were set to go on a Harry Potter walking tour around the city, which happened to start right outside Borough Market. Borough Market is widely considered to be one of the best food markets in Europe and I completely agree. When we got there my first priority was finding something to drink and I stumbled quickly upon some fresh squeezed lemonade which I downed. Next priority was getting some lunch. I followed Bailey to a pasta place in the market that she had noticed when she visited the previous day. I ordered black truffle tortelloni with mushroom sauce and it was amazing. There was grated parmesan that melted right into it and I was very impressed.
Once we finished lunch, we walked to meet the tour group. The guide was really personable and we could tell it was going to be a fun tour. The tour took us to many sights in London that we wouldn't have otherwise seen, including film sights as well as places that inspired the books. It was really cool to stand in places where the movies were filmed and to get inside J. K. Rowling's head by hearing her inspirations and thought processes while creating the series.
After the tour, we were sufficiently tired so we came back home and ordered sushi. I am confident that I have gotten lots of great material to make a travel guide for someone coming to London. I feel like if I had more time I could have covered more ground and made a more thorough guide, but this one will definitely be a good start. Perhaps I'll label it Volume 1 to be continued the next time I go. I am sad to be leaving tomorrow but I am excited to see my friends and to get cracking on the travel guide.
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