A Love Letter to London

One night during my semester abroad in London, my friend Ava and I scored elusive tickets to a popular West End show, White Rabbit Red Rabbit. An experimental play written by Iranian author Nassim Soleimanpour, each night challenged a different actor to read the script cold for the first time. Through the actor’s and the audience’s participation and raw reactions, Soleimanpour shares heavy themes of freedom, censorship, and mortality; it’s the type of play that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the type of play you think about a year after you see it.

Well it’s been a year now, and I still think about the final question Soleimanpour posed to the audience, asking us if we will be white rabbits or red rabbits. Will we seize the fleeting opportunities that find us, or will we let them pass? Will we spend our lives resenting those who found the courage to do what we never could? Or will we abandon the “what if’s” and actually go after what we want?

My semester abroad in London was a major turning point in my life. That night in particular forced me to ask questions I hadn’t yet considered: What type of person do I want to be? What impact do I want to leave behind? Who do I want to bring with me? London gave me answers I didn’t know I was looking for.

While it was a time of self-discovery, those three months were also some of my happiest. Whenever I think of London I get this warm, cozy feeling in my chest, like a big hug, the first sip of tea, or belly laughing with close friends. I have never felt more at home than I did there.

Maybe that’s why it took me so long to write this, because it feels like a piece of my heart is waiting for me on the other side of the Atlantic. I miss the museums, the vintage shopping, the restaurants, the pub scene, and the constant hum of possibility. But what I miss most are the little things — the ordinary moments that felt extraordinary simply because I was there. Riding the Tube. Walking everywhere (we don’t have that in America). Popping into the caff for a breakfast roll. Picking up British words like caff. Stopping by our neighborhood pub after class for a dessert and glass of wine. Taking yoga with instructors whose accents somehow made everything more soothing.

Those simple things are why I woke up every day grateful to be there, and why I’m counting down the days until I can go back. But enough about me… If you made it this far and are looking for travel recommendations for your trip, just know my excitement for you is only slightly tinged by my jealousy… but nevertheless, I am excited to share my London recs! Everything you need is outlined for you below.

Handwritten message that reads 'with love, Ellie Mae' on a black background.
Collection of vintage gold, silver, and black wristwatches displayed on a white background at Portobello Market.
A three-tiered stand with pastries and desserts, fog effects, and a cup of tea at an elegant restaurant setting.
Exterior of Eggbreak restaurant with large yellow-framed windows and a sign that says 'Eggbreak'; small sign indicates 8am to late, Monday to Sunday, no reservations. Inside, people are seated at tables. Exterior walls are painted pastel colors with decorative windows and flower planters.
Red ball gown on a mannequin behind glass at the Royal Opera Ballet museum.
Two cups of chocolate-covered strawberries topped with white chocolate shavings, held above a street surface.
Plate of fried chicken with pickles and a side of dressing, served with garlic truffle fries and a salad with lettuce and cucumbers at Zephyr restaurant.
View of a cityscape taken from Parliament Hill, with tall buildings and a partly cloudy sky in the background. Trees and greenery are in the foreground.
A woman with red hair wearing black earrings and a necklace, holding a glass, at a karaoke bar with pink and purple lighting.
Black and white photo booth strip with two images of a group of people, some smiling and making faces, at Blues Kitchen jazz bar in Camden, with a caption describing the location and vibe.
Clothes with floral patterns hanging on a rack with a tag showing 'The Lovers'.
Two hands holding cups of coffee, one green and one iced with caramel, in front of a decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
Person with long red hair watching swans in Hyde Park lake on a sunny day.
A plate with a sandwich containing meat, vegetables, and greens, next to a glass of white wine on a wooden table, with a stack of temporarily blurred posters and a game controller in the background.
Colorful hydrangea flowers in pink, blue, purple, and white with green leaves, displayed at a market stall with snacks and a sign.
Colorful row houses on Notting Hill street with a large tree and parked cars.
Link to my curated London map!