London's Chill, Damp Embrace: A Budget Student's Messy Love Letter
so i just checked and it's...brisk and damp right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, 5 degrees with 85% humidity? it's like the city itself is sighing. i mean, i packed for a heatwave, but here we are, huddled under a cheap umbrella cursing my life choices. but hey, that's london for you, right? always one step ahead of your expectations.
if you get bored, oxford circus is just a short tube ride away, or maybe you fancy a wander through the slightly less grimier parts of kentish town. someone told me that the curry houses near brick lane are 'legendary' but also 'a tourist trap', so i'm going to try one tonight and report back with either a glowing review or a tale of regret. i heard that the 'secret' rooftop bar at the shard is 'worth every penny' but also 'overpriced and full of bankers'. drunk advice, really.
*gear list (because i'm a budget student, not a pro): a broken backpack, enough cash for one decent meal a day, and a phone that's constantly dying. pro-tip: if you're looking for free wifi, every branch of costa coffee is your friend. pro-tip: the tube is cheaper after 10pm, but the trains are slower and smell like old socks. pro-tip: the best views of the city are from the top of the shard, but you can get a decent photo from the public gallery at the tate modern for free. pro-tip: avoid the tube during rush hour unless you enjoy being a human sardine.
i stumbled upon this tiny, slightly grimy cafe near soho the other day. it's called 'the greasy spoon', and the owner, a grumpy old bloke named ken, told me 'this is where the real london lives'. he served me a lukewarm tea and a scone that tasted like cardboard, but the vibe? pure, unfiltered london. it's the kind of place where you might overhear someone complaining about the weather or the cost of rent, and you realize everyone's in the same boat. it's messy, it's real, and it's exactly why i keep coming back.
here's a map to get you started, though honestly, you'll probably just get lost and find something better:
some photos because words are hard:
check out these links* if you're feeling adventurous:
- TripAdvisor: Budget Hostels in London
- Yelp: Quirky Cafes in Soho
- Londonist: Hidden Gems
so yeah, that's london in a nutshell. messy, expensive, and utterly captivating. just remember your coat. and maybe a flask. and a sense of humor. lots of humor.
#travel #london #budgettravel #messytravel #vibeylondon