London
A place to revive your artistic sensibilities and rebuild your delight in human nature. Now, I know my perspective is an eager one as this was my first exposure to London, but I can be quite particular and it definitely swept me off my feet. This fresh-faced American fell hard and fast.
The Tube
Crammed in close to elegantly suited men with leather briefcases that held a stance of quiet confidence knowing they’ve been around the block and will be there for years to come. Seated across from the posh mad hatter mom and son duo, matching in classic English country prep, effortlessly and successfully mixing paisley and stripes with vibrant easter egg blues, sage greens, sunshine yellows and clean reds. I found myself picturing them in their country English home, perfectly curated and acceptably cluttered with everything an interiors magazine spread desired. One ride included a child climbing and swinging from the ceiling hand holds like a monkey. I don’t know what was more delightful, watching the pure joy of the wild child or the faces of my fellow riders as they attempted to restrain their reactions. Oh the stories I could tell… To add to the magic of it all I underscored every experience by popping in headphones, old school and corded over here of course, and observing with a musical soundtrack. And yes at times I was the odd ball, savoring a song in my own little world, and got to feel eyes on me as the Londoners attempted to shyly and discreetly observe me. A space to see and be seen, a way to connect with raw humanity and touch multiple life stories at once, I couldn’t get enough of this ride.
The Theatre
Not a special occasion, the salt of the earth electrician can be found spending his Tuesday night enraptured by a painfully raw and jolting modern interpretation of a Jacobean revenge tragedy from the 1600s dressed in jeans with a large glass of foaming beer in hand. Londoners take their art seriously, so much so that they have woven it into their everyday. Entry is not barred. For a few bobble one can stand up in the stalls and feel the surge of the orchestra as the ballerina is lifted into a perfect arch and reaches for her lover with a depth of pain that ignites an indescribable ache connecting every human heart in its presence. Everyone deserves to participate. The depth of respect for art runs deep and the career of an artist is understood as rigorous and treated as a cultural necessity. London has mastered the foundational element of creating profound art – devotion to the vibrant exchange between performer and audience, audience and performer. A city that feeds its artists so that its artists can feed it.
The Nature
Peaceful and moody. There are innumerable parks and reservoirs to savor. Rolling acres of urban parks with green lawns, aged and established trees and walkways that encircle for long strolls and the occasional spotted bench for the remaining breed of elder newspapers and emerging Gen Z offline readers. Preserves on the outskirts full of stoic majestic deer, wide expansive views, woodland peckers, and winding mud-thick paths bordered by dense wild shrubs and thicket and even the local country estates that evoke all that Jane Austin wrote. Healthy exposure and respect of the earth is felt in all areas of the city, spaces to breathe and touch growth are prioritized for all and I couldn’t get enough.
The Food
London captured my gastromical heart with Notting Hill’s gourmet organic farm-lux grocers, Primrose’s quiet cozy café corner with a foamy softly bitter matcha and a fresh crisp salad that sang and grounded me at the same time, Islington’s English countryside-sourced raw sheep yogurts and towers of fragrant sharp and buttery cheese rounds, and Stratford’s forgettable Tom Yum and numerous comforting Thai plates that followed.
The Wellness
The homeopathic apothecaries dating back to the 1700s with formulas packaged in metal tubes and labeled in fonts that give Emily Bronte era. I found beautiful flower essences here and oggled many creams and tonics that I will return to enjoy in the future. The non-toxic Oh My Cream, offering a fully stocked shoppe of clean skincare, all the best beauty, advanced facials, and in-house sauna with an enclosed shower, all wrapped in a peaceful uplifting fresh space, had me floating and planning and messaging all my clients that traveled often to London. While there are countless light-filled yoga and pilates studios, I prefer a home practice so studio class I adventured to with a dear friend was for sound healing. Let’s just say I fell so deep I woke up wondering where I was, which never happens. The studio creates a heavenly snuggly bliss. Oh and of course the walking. Everything is within strolling distance with the help of the tube! A city you can savor easily and quickly to fill your lungs and your brain with fresh oxygen.
The Favorites
Now for my short list of favorites from this recent stay for your next visit to the city that has it all: