Before embarking on my big move back to the east coast and the beginning of my doctoral work, I decided to finally get myself to England. I’d always wanted to go and had a handful of friends from college, as well as my hometown, settled there for school and work. The timing was great and it saved me from spending an excessive amount on hotels or food. I was going back east for a good friend’s wedding so decided to leave from JFK. I flew into Heathrow on Virgin, which is the air transportation equivalent of riding in on a tricked-out luxury car complete with lights under the hood and posh upscale snacks in the glove compartment.
I spent the first three days with a good friend from New Haven who lived in North London. Margaret and her best friend Catherine enthusiastically explored Trafalgar square and Chinatown with me by night. Anyone who says the food is bad in England, hasn’t tried the amazing variety of foods made available by London’s incredibly diverse populace. Chinese. Jamaican. Greek. Italian. West African (specifically Nigerian) etc. We tried many dishes and they were all delicious! The second day, my host took me to Buckingham palace, Westminster Abbey and the House of Commons—we wore out our sneakers walking through the city. There was no greater cure for the fatigue than a few hours in a pub full of happy people and good beer on tap. We met up with Kwasi, an Oberlin friend and stayed till all the neighboring tables were new friends. On day three the four of us danced around Camden Town’s colorful stalls, mounds of food and pints (and more pints) of good beer. The pubs were cozy with big couches, natural sunlight and happy people everywhere. I would suggest you go often.
Three more days of London Fun. This time in my all time favorite, yet fully gentrified neighborhood of Brixton
The next day I was off on a train out of Victoria Station to Cambridge to visit two dear friends from Yale. PK and Michelle Imbeah are consummate entertainers. Michelle was finishing up a law degree and gave me a first class tour of the University with its absolutely charming old buildings, canals, narrow streets and moss covered gates. A quick afternoon at Ely cathedral the next day, with its friendly horses and mile-high spires, was followed by cream tea and late night conversation.
The next day it was back to London to meet up again with Kwasi for three more days of London Fun. This go-round, we spent stayed at my all-time favorite, yet (at that point) fully gentrified neighborhood: Brixton. At one time, it was one of the greatest hubs for African and Caribbean expats. The neighborhood still has some of the city’s most endearing pubs, including Effra’s. Owned and operated by Jamaicans, with Red Stripe on tap and live music every Thursday, we spent hours at a time there. The top of the London Eye, dancing, beautiful parks, fresh markets, little old ladies and finally, bright sunny days highlighted the tail end of my trip. On our last day, we strolled through the Tate Modern and across Millennium Bridge before finding ourselves in the midst of an enormous Caribbean festival complete with massive grills covered in jerk sauce, fresh cut sugar cane and humongous bowls of fresh fruit. I have never been so sad to leave a major city in all of my life.
