Hipster Haven
Shoreditch is still our favorite hipster haven in London and such an adventure to explore. Its funky vibe stems from unique offerings through vintage shops, pop-up markets, graffitied street walls and food trucks. It's a wild wander through a myriad of sights, sounds, and aromas!
Taking the overland train a few stations down from the flat, Mike, Tyler and I ventured through street after street of artisan food treats, handmade specialty and vintage clothing and gifts, laser-cut cards and wood phone cases, light-up Legos, electronics and a zillion other interesting items.
One delicious stop we like to make there is a place called the "Cereal Killer Café." Odd name, I know, but they specialize in hundreds of kinds of cereal from around the world with dozens of kinds of milk and add-ins such as fruit, caramel nuggets, and chocolate chips (to name a few). It's a tasty treat any time of day!
Working It at Canary Wharf
Mike is enjoying his work at Barclays Bank! It's located at Canary Wharf -- just a 15 minute commute from flat to office (i.e. door-to-door) for him, which is awesome! The area is London's current financial center. It's a sleek and contemporary high-rise mecca full of bustling businesses and underground shopping.
In fact, the first time we visited there it seemed a little eerie, as there were only a few people on the streets -- the place seemed deserted. Did we miss a memo? we wondered --was there some kind of evacuation we didn't hear about? Well, our exploration of the wharf continued and that's when we discovered the two underground malls there -- and the scores of people! Seemed a bit like an anthill where you see the few ants outside the hill, but if you bump it, there are oodles of inhabitants zipping about.
So its modern architecture above ground and full-on city below give it a humming and happening business feel. Also, great planning for navigating rainy London weather -- go "under" it -- literally! ;)
Playing "Bridge"
Tyler and I ventured off to visit our "neighbor" -- Tower Bridge. Such an iconic London symbol, it has beautiful architecture, sweeping views, interesting history and glimpses of the inner workings of the still operable bridge.
Built in 1894, it is still a busy Thames River crossing, with over 40,000 people a day traversing it. The combined bascule and suspension bridge opens some 1,000 times per year to accommodate river traffic too tall to sail under it -- at no charge to the vessel. Interesting tidbit: "When needing to be raised for the passage of a vessel the bascules are only raised to an angle sufficient for the vessel to safely pass under the bridge, except in the case of a vessel with the Monarch on board in which case they are raised fully no matter the size of the vessel." (Wikipedia) Salute to the Royals!
It's fun to stroll across the acrylic floor as you peer down to the zooming traffic below you, too. Such a cool "neighbor"!
Shoreditch is still our favorite hipster haven in London and such an adventure to explore. Its funky vibe stems from unique offerings through vintage shops, pop-up markets, graffitied street walls and food trucks. It's a wild wander through a myriad of sights, sounds, and aromas!
Taking the overland train a few stations down from the flat, Mike, Tyler and I ventured through street after street of artisan food treats, handmade specialty and vintage clothing and gifts, laser-cut cards and wood phone cases, light-up Legos, electronics and a zillion other interesting items.
One delicious stop we like to make there is a place called the "Cereal Killer Café." Odd name, I know, but they specialize in hundreds of kinds of cereal from around the world with dozens of kinds of milk and add-ins such as fruit, caramel nuggets, and chocolate chips (to name a few). It's a tasty treat any time of day!
Working It at Canary Wharf
Mike is enjoying his work at Barclays Bank! It's located at Canary Wharf -- just a 15 minute commute from flat to office (i.e. door-to-door) for him, which is awesome! The area is London's current financial center. It's a sleek and contemporary high-rise mecca full of bustling businesses and underground shopping.
In fact, the first time we visited there it seemed a little eerie, as there were only a few people on the streets -- the place seemed deserted. Did we miss a memo? we wondered --was there some kind of evacuation we didn't hear about? Well, our exploration of the wharf continued and that's when we discovered the two underground malls there -- and the scores of people! Seemed a bit like an anthill where you see the few ants outside the hill, but if you bump it, there are oodles of inhabitants zipping about.
So its modern architecture above ground and full-on city below give it a humming and happening business feel. Also, great planning for navigating rainy London weather -- go "under" it -- literally! ;)
Playing "Bridge"
Tyler and I ventured off to visit our "neighbor" -- Tower Bridge. Such an iconic London symbol, it has beautiful architecture, sweeping views, interesting history and glimpses of the inner workings of the still operable bridge.
Built in 1894, it is still a busy Thames River crossing, with over 40,000 people a day traversing it. The combined bascule and suspension bridge opens some 1,000 times per year to accommodate river traffic too tall to sail under it -- at no charge to the vessel. Interesting tidbit: "When needing to be raised for the passage of a vessel the bascules are only raised to an angle sufficient for the vessel to safely pass under the bridge, except in the case of a vessel with the Monarch on board in which case they are raised fully no matter the size of the vessel." (Wikipedia) Salute to the Royals!
It's fun to stroll across the acrylic floor as you peer down to the zooming traffic below you, too. Such a cool "neighbor"!
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