Over the course of my twenty-year journey crisscrossing Europe, I had never once set foot in London. Somehow, I had convinced myself that the city wouldn’t appeal to me—too rainy, dreary, and overrun with tourists. Given the choice, I would have always picked Delhi, Tokyo, Paris, or Barcelona… or so I thought.
My first encounter with London took place at King’s Cross Station. I arrived by a standard commuter train, having stayed with family a short distance north of the city. The cacophony of people moving in every direction left me briefly disoriented as I tried to get my bearings.
That’s when I saw it—Platform 9 3/4, with a throng of tourists queued up just like the locals. I had anticipated the city to be touristy, but surprisingly, I found the scene quite endearing.
As luck would have it, the sun was shining brightly as I exited the station, and I was eager to make the most of my day exploring London.
After a leisurely twenty-minute walk (which involved only a handful of Google Maps consultations), I arrived at the impressive British Museum. With free entry and a staggering collection of artifacts, it was well worth the time invested. The ancient Egyptian exhibits were particularly captivating, featuring an array of statues, mummies, and intricately carved hieroglyphs that brought back memories of my childhood fascination with Indiana Jones. The Rosetta Stone, an essential key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, was undoubtedly a highlight of the museum.
As I wandered through the vast halls, I also marveled at the Elgin Marbles, once part of the Parthenon in Athens, and the majestic Assyrian Lamassu sculptures, which exuded a sense of power and majesty.
As the hours passed, hunger began to overtake my curiosity. Reluctantly, I left the museum in search of sustenance and found myself at Spitalfields Market. This bustling indoor/outdoor market offered a diverse array of delectable food stalls. From Nigerian to Indian, Ethiopian to Vietnamese, I eagerly sampled various dishes and left utterly content.
Realizing that time was slipping away, I made my way to the Soho district to meet a local tour guide. I hopped on the Central Line, one of London’s oldest underground lines, which runs through the heart of the city. The train was a bit hot and stuffy, but it efficiently carried me to my destination.
In Soho, I joined a small group tour, which turned out to be a lively pub crawl. The participants were an eclectic mix, primarily from the United States. Our knowledgeable Australian guide, who had been leading tours for more than a decade, entertained us with fascinating stories of Elton John and Jimi Hendrix as he introduced us to some fantastic pubs in the area.
After several hours filled with laughter, countless pints, and endless camaraderie, I bade farewell to my newfound friends. My next stop was Mildred’s, a highly recommended restaurant in Soho, where I indulged in a delicious meal.
By the time I left Mildred’s, my phone indicated that I had taken 18,000 steps, and my aching feet wholeheartedly agreed. Nevertheless, I had one final destination on my list—the iconic London Eye. As I ascended in one of the glass capsules, the breathtaking panorama of London unfolded before me. The Thames snaked below, while landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral came into view. The city’s unique blend of historic and modern architecture, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, left an indelible impression on me.
Since that unforgettable day, I have returned to London multiple times, always seeking a balance between the typical London experience and the excitement of tourism. I can’t resist revisiting Soho and Mildred’s for dinner.
London isn’t Delhi, Tokyo, Paris, or Barcelona—it has its own unique charm, and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to experience it.
