Hi there! Ok two things you should know about me are 1. I’m a foodie! I love eating and taking pictures of pretty food and I like to think I have high standards for my food. 2. I’m very dramatic. Not in the reality TV let’s argue over the color of that wall or “No! That’s was my rose!” But in the prancing through a meadow singing to hills kind of way. (Then again, I’m also a bit of a klutz so chances are I will then trip on a rock and go rolling down the aforementioned hills). Moving on… the reason I bring this up is I had the most life changing slice of cake. But honestly … never have I bitten into a cake and actually uncontrollably Mmmmmmmed out loud. I mean I mean LOOK at that thing. In the US I’ve had it (Princess Cake) but here it’s apparently called a Frasier and it’s AMAZING. Going back to one of my first posts, one of my goals during my grand adventure is to be more comfortable hanging out with myself and embrace independence. So yes. I Mmmmmmmmmed out loud at an outdoor table all by myself and dropping my book in the process because it was THAT GOOD. So long story short if you love Princess Cake, and you find yourself in London go to Paul because I think I’ve tasted heaven.
Moving on from life changing cake, (although I’ll be thinking about it for at least the next few weeks until I’ll undoubtedly go back and eat it all over again…) I have gone almost an entire week of adventuring (and eating!) as a party of 1! I’ve managed to check off a lot of my London must sees solo and it honestly feels great. Here’s a list of where I’ve been so far. There is something really freeing about going to most of these places on my own. I have the freedom to stay all day and not feel as though I’m taking up anyone else’s time.
Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Park, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, The London Zoo, Harrods, Camden Market, Parliament, Covent Garden, Soho District, Jubilee Market, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circle, The British Museum, The Natural History Museum, Sherlock Holme’s Statue at Baker Street, King’s Cross Station (and Platform 9 and 3/4 of course), Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, Muggle London Diagon Ally and Kingly Court (a great place for food)!
On the whole, I’m a very indecisive person but in exploring these neighborhoods and sites by myself I have as much time as I need to make a decision. No panicking because all my friends or family have already ordered and now the waiter and the whole table are staring at you while I look back freaking out because at the moment deciding what to eat feels like trying to decide between ensuring lasting world peace or ending world hunger. (Hmm perhaps it’s my anxiety that makes me dramatic). Anyway, reflecting on my first week I’m really proud of exploring a new city on my own. The only downside to being a woman exploring a city on her own is being inevitably approached by strangers. PSA to men (and really anybody else on the street that I don’t know): If a woman looks like she’s thoroughly enjoying her me time (like reading a book on a train, enjoying the scenery in a park or walking through a museum) chances are you were not on her schedule and No. she doesn’t want to know your life story. No. She doesn’t want you to walk her home and NO she does not want to get dinner or coffee with you no matter HOW nice of a person YOU think she is. (Side note part of her is seriously starting to wonder if she might end up in a ditch somewhere is she continues talking to you). Admittedly on that last one, I too am at fault. This is the beginning of a new goal! To shut down strangers who come up for a chat when in reality I would prefer to continue my tranquil walk the way I started it alone. As someone who wanted to be just like a Disney Princess: friendly, kind and outgoing I often feel as though owe people something (making it hard for me to leave an unwanted conversation). But really, I don’t owe anyone any more than a polite hello, goodbye or thank you in a public space. When someone comes waltzing up to have a conversation I don’t owe them my time or friendship. For the rest of the summer, I hope to continue being in charge of my own adventure and no bearded flirt? kidnapper? normal citizen? friendly person? murderer? is getting in my way.
Wow, would you look at that! A transition from pastries to feminism and self confidence! This is what happens when I go off on tangents… but when writing for fun let it all out! Don’t lose your head and let them eat cake! 😉
Bye for now,
Sophia
Diaries of a Dancing Queen 