It has been a while since we’ve chatted. I’ve let me new job, my new (temporary, but permanently amazing) roommate, and my everyday existence distract me.

But let me make it up to you…how about a trip. London?

I knew you’d be game…

We’ll catch the red-eye, do crossword puzzles as they board. As we cross the Atlantic I’ll regale you with tales from my modern western civilization class in high school – just to make sure you get a good rest and dream about epic European exploits.

When we arrive in London, the sky will be gray but we will be glowing. An eight hour flight can do nothing to squelch our zest for adventure.

We’ll visit my friend Mark in Berkhampsted, where the cobblestone streets lead to a fantastic vegan restaurant (Dar Papillon). We’ll feast on pizza (covered in corn and asparagus), pakoras and samosas, a big bowl of salad and anything else your heart desires.

Later, when we’re feeling refreshed (perhaps the next day) we’ll hop on the tube and head into the city. We’ll wander by the Thames, taking in the major landmarks and laughing with gratitude at our glorious wanderlust.  

We’ll spot a Pret A Manager, and stop in for some liquid energy and sustenance.

When the rain catches us by surprise, we’ll slip into the British Museum to gaze with wonderment at the handwritten lyrics by the Beatles, Jane Austen’s writing desk and James Joyce’s personal notebook.

We’ll take the tube to Camden Markets to get lost in the aisles of endless stalls. When our hunger becomes undeniable, we’ll pop into inSpiral lounge. We will be overwhelmed by the amazing array of raw, vegan options. We’ll find the desserts, in particular, incredibly enticing.

But given this is rainy London, we’ll settle for a warming bowl of butternut squash soup. It will be perfect.

Before catching the tube back to Berkhampstead for a quiet evening, cuddled under blankets by the fire with episodes of Downton Abbey, we’ll make our way to Kensington. The Whole Foods Market will delight us with vegan decadence – row after row of amazing truffle and marshmallow flavours (all free of animal anything!). We’ll stop in upstairs at Saf for an incredible meal, artistically prepared. We’ll savour every. single. bite.

Then as we head back to the station we’ll wander in and out of the shops, coveting scarves with birds and anything with the union jack.

As we navigate through the parks and paths, I’ll listen to your dreams. We’ll get quiet and reflective as the route, like our lives takes unexpected detours. But together we’ll giggle, photobomb our fellow visitors and reassert our control over the path we follow.

Because…finding ourselves in London means we’ve done something right. Right?

But don’t get settled just yet…we have a train to Paris in the morning. xo

p.s. Christine, thank you for sharing so many wonderful pictures from our trip.