Since moving to NC four years ago, it has been a tradition that every year I go to the NC State Fair. It is so festive and always marks the beginning of the most magical time of the year – Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas – they all kick off with this mid- October event. The leaves have changed, the air has cooled, and you get to go with your friends, scream your head off on the rides, and eat fried candy bars, fried dough, and basically any major fod group with the word “fried” in front of it. It is a heart attack waiting to happen, but it is one of my favorite traditions. But this year, I am in London, and Laura and I both – she being an NC native who has gone to the fair every year since she can remember – have been very sad about missing out. But today I made a discovery that makes missing the fair a little more bearable. I should have known London would have a way to make even this all better.
Today I woke up at 11 am, had some breakfast, did some crunches (I am trying to be good and counter all the delicious food I have been eating) and got ready for a fun filled afternoon with Kelsey and Katie exploring our NC State Fair substitute - Camden Market.
This market is unreal. It is set up every weekend and it is essentially a weekly festival of amazing specialty food and fashion – fudge, cookies, colorful candies, brownies, teas, every type of cuisine you could imagine from Indian to Chinese, Italian, Argentinean Sausage, Mexican, Thai – you name it, there was a booth nestled into this market maze waiting to serve you (or even give you free samples if you asked… and boy did I ask!). There were racks of amazing vintage clothes, music, books – it was really remarkable and bustling on a Sunday afternoon. And it is only about a 2.5 mile walk from our flats in Little Venice along the Regent Canal to get there- which is a beautiful canal that narrow boats ride up and down. You pass part of the Zoo, plus tons of amazing mansions that looked like they belonged in the Hollywood hills. It was YET AGAIN an unprecedented beautiful blue sky day, the temperature was quite warm, I was wearing a tank top and had to roll up my jeans into capris because the sun was actually beaming down. The walk was a bit of a work out, which was great because the beautiful scenery made the time fly by. I am definitely going to run down the canal on my own more often, especially on lovely days like today.
When we arrived at the market, we walked around and were immediately taken by how busy it was. People from all over the world were gathered to share in the market experience, taste all the different cuisine and revel in the gorgeous day. For lunch I got a savory crepe filled with ham, cheese and spinach, which was really good AND I bought this adorable cropped pea coat with tulip sleeves – it is so British and adorable, and an amazing deal – only 25 pounds, which is only like 47 US dollars, and this coat would definitely cost more than that in the states. So, naturally, I am thrilled about my stylish bargain, and cannot wait for Monica to see it and be totally jealous of my good find J.
We ducked in and out of shops and after tiring of the crowds, ventured back along the canal as the sun began to lower and the temperature began to cool. Along the way we stopped to take pictures, look at the animal cages since the canal runs along the back of the London Zoo, and even get some soft serve vanilla ice cream (which was specialty ice cream that tasted more like frozen whipped cream – it was interesting, but delicious on a hot day).
After walking back from the market, we just had a lazy evening cooking spaghetti bolognaise, showering, catching up on homework and watching DVD’s.
It was yet another amazing day, and I cannot wait to go back to Camden market again – not to mention, explore the tons of other markets this city has to offer. How great is that?! I have two more months to go back and try different foods and really take my time experiencing things to the fullest. I love that this is not just a vacation. Anyone who has been to London for just a week cannot even come close to understanding how amazing it is because you need time to appreciate it. London is like a fine wine, it only get better with time. I don’t know how I am going to squeeze everything I love about London into five days with Mom and Don, but I am certainly going to try! I cannot believe they get here Tuesday morning! What an exciting week ahead.
Not to mention, GORDON IS BACK TOMORROW!!! I am so excited to have him back and the office and we are all going to see Dirty Dancing the new musical together and I simply CANNOT WAIT! Oo! Maybe it will be just cold enough for me to wear my posh new coat J. Plus, Jennifer Hudson’s album comes out tomorrow, and Robert and I are so excited, so that should make for a fun Monday morning.
Another feel good day in London, which makes missing the state fair and missing all of you a little more bearable. Plus, what a great week ahead to look forward to J
Love and hugs,
Jenny
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