London Living

My first time in London and I was not disappointed. I love big metropolitan cities where you can feel the energy buzzing around you. London reminded me a lot of NYC, one of my favorite cities on earth, but with the added draw of foreign accents, rich history, and beautiful architecture. Plus bright red double decker busses and a subway system that could not be any easier to navigate (can't say that about NYC)

We didn't have much down time in the city as there is SO much to see and do and we had only 5 days to tick all of the sights off of our list. I also have quite a few friends in the city that I met during my time backpacking through Asia. It was so nice to reunite with familiar faces and recount all of our Asian travel memories. I have to say, it made me really want to go back to the Far East.

My friend Jenna was gracious enough to let us crash at her apartment right in central London for the week. We couldn't have asked for a better location or a nicer place to stay. We did have an issue with our air mattress which must have had a hole in it because we both woke up in the middle of the night with our backs touching the ground and our feet in the air. Every time we moved we felt like we were on a water bed. It made for a pretty hilarious scene in the morning:

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, art museums, Abbey road, you name it we saw it. We even managed to get to a show with a friend of mine who is a music agent. It was in a big warehouse in a more underground part of the city that we certainly wouldn't have gotten out to if it weren't for her inviting us to check out the band with her.

The food in London is delicious. Being such a melting pot of different ethnicities, you can find every type of cuisine in the city and it is all authentic. While I felt like I might have shed a few pounds in Ireland, I definitely gained them in London. I lost count of all the falafels we ate and times we went out for Indian food. And it doesn't feel right to be in Britain and not have tea and cake. 

 After 5 days of non stop walking around the city, sightseeing, and meeting friends, Meg and I were pretty exhausted and ready to get to Amsterdam and chill for a few days. We were sad to leave London though as we had such a great time in the city. I will definitely be back!

A surprisingly easy 10 hour bus ride took us across the channel to France and up through Belgium into the Netherlands where we are currently relaxing at my friend Rose's apartment. I've just come back from a 90 minute hot yoga class and am feeling relaxed. Traveling is the most amazing experience but it's so necessary to find order in the chaos. I'm grateful for my yoga practice and daily runs that keep me sane and grounded during a time when nothing is consistent. 

Chasing Waterfalls

November 23:

I know I keep saying it but every day here gets better and better. I woke up planning to have a relaxing spa day but as I've learned in the past 2 months, you can never get attached to plans. You've got to be spontaneous and say yes to every opportunity that presents itself. So when a few people suggested we rent motor bikes and explore the island, I had to say yes. I hopped on the back of a bike and we rode 45 minutes across dirt roads looking for a waterfall that we'd seen a sign for. We got caught in a rainstorm and had to take cover in a local's garage and then, following directions from passersby, we found the path to the waterfall. Three little boys no older than 5 showed us the way along the path. Once again, a breathtaking view of a huge blue pool and 2 flowing waterfalls came into sight. We were the only foreigners there and were welcomed with smiles, waves, and lots of food. The genuine hospitality here never ceases to amaze me. Filipinos will literally give you the shirt off their back if you seem interested. We met the sweetest lady who was excited to meet an American because "there are muslims in America!" and she herself is Muslim. She offered us food and although my body really did not want to eat white bread and cheez whiz I felt too rude refusing. Bryony complimented her on one of her rings and she took it off her finger right away and offered it as a gift. This is the norm here, comment on a specific possession and it will quickly become yours.

We also met a sweet local guy who spoke great english and became our guide for the day. He told us about a secret waterfall and after a little convincing he agreed to lead us to it. So there we were once again walking through the jungle, searching for our own private waterfall. It was smaller than the first and there was no 18ft cliff to jump off but it was gorgeous and it did have a long vine to swing around on like Tarzan. Our new friend Franz invited us to his house and of course we excitedly accepted the offer. We were all pretty sure we'd be going to a small hut with chickens and stray dogs roaming around the yard when all of the sudden we turned onto a road that led straight to the ocean and a beautiful white villa. It turns out that Franz has a swedish uncle who owns this villa and is renovating it to become a guest house. Set to open December 1st so if you are ever on the island of Busuanga in the Philippines, make your way to the town of Conception and stay at the Fear House Lodging. Franz will serve you delicious sticky rice, lemon garlic prawns, and San Miguel Lights while you relax on the balcony and watch the boats on the horizon. 

Unexpected adventures are always the best and you can't beat the authentic experience of spending the entire day with a local.