A Traveler’s Love Post To Art In London
London is a city of contradiction and chaos, but that’s what makes it so thrilling and alive – Emma Watson
Dear London,
I’m so sorry that I traveled to you at my worst, but I’ll always remember you as my first! 😊
I still remember our first time like it was yesterday….
It’s December 18, 2024, and I’m flying on Delta Airlines to London, England to celebrate my 32nd birthday solo. (I’m so excited). I’m sitting in the middle of a young black girl with gorgeous 4C hair (so jealous) and a beautiful older woman from the Philippines. Suddenly, the older woman strikes up a conversation and asks what my plans were in London?
I told her this was my first time traveling to London and out of the country in over twenty years, and she immediately lit up with excitement. She and her husband had been to London many times and have always been in love with the country and its culture. Even more excited, I told her I was planning to visit the Queen’s Palace, the Harry Potter Studios, see as many plays and eat as much food as possible.
I was desperate and thirsty for some authentic culture.
The older woman told me that I must go to the Shakespeare Globe to watch true Shakespeare acting. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head as I remembered my mentorship session with Brenna McDonough, who told me that UK actors don’t act to become famous. They act because they love the craft and fame is just a byproduct. Hence why the best started and/or are still engulfed in theatre. I make a note to visit the Shakespeare Globe in my iPhone notepad.
Hours later, we finally landed at Heathrow Airport and it’s crazy busy. I followed the signs to the exit and caught an Uber to the Doubletree hotel on Pepys Street. I waited in the lobby since I was early for my reservation. To stay awake, I ordered a coffee and now I see why people from America lose their sweet tooth when they move to the UK. Their black coffee was so freakin’ good! I legit didn’t have to add any coffee creamer.
I was in coffee heaven!
I politely asked one of the hotel staff members for the Wi-Fi password and went to the Shakespeare Globe’s website to see what plays were happening. I purchased a ticket to the play All’s Well That Ends Well for 75-pound sterling showing that night. I finally got to my room, showered, got dressed, and took an Uber to the Shakespeare Globe.
The playroom was dimly lit with candles everywhere and soon enough the play began. Now I see what all the hype is about regarding UK actors. They’re phenomenal! Honestly, they really are. The clarity, punctuality, and strength in their voices and body movements – you could literally feel the power of each word in every ounce of your soul. I didn’t want to leave. I needed more.
It was officially an addiction to the London arts at this point.
I needed to quench that addiction fast before I went off the rails. Luckily, plays were happening all around London every day. Everywhere I went there were dozens of film posters advertising plays from Harry Potter to a play featuring Sigourney Weaver. But the play that really caught my attention was:
The Lion King: The Musical at Lyceum Theatre.
My uncle has told me many times how amazing the play is on Broadway so I couldn’t pass this opportunity up.
I immediately went to the musical’s website and purchased a ticket for the next day for 98.95-pound sterling to sit in the Stalls section.
I slept like a baby that night and had to force myself to get up the next morning. Sadly, my feet were tremendously swollen due to the anemia my fibroids were causing. It took me nearly five minutes to put on my shoes causing a lot of shortness of breath.
Just breathe Gia. Just breathe.
I managed to make it down to breakfast in time to take some cocoa Rice Krispies cereal and milk to go. I went back to my hotel room to finish my cereal and then headed out to Lyceum Theatre on Wellington Street.
I arrived about two hours before the play was set to start so I passed the time by roaming the streets. I got some pizza and people watched.
One thing I noticed about people in London is that they were never alone. Everyone was always walking and/or talking with another person or a group of people. No one was solo or looked lonely or depressed. Life was slow in London. From the way they put on their jackets, to how they ate, patience and slowing down was their # 1 priority.
Sheesh!
I finished my half pizza, headed to Lyceum Theatre, and took my seat. My body was screaming. Soon the play started and from start to finish I was in such disbelief. The musical opened with the Circle of Life; the actors came in from all angles of the theatre and goodness I never thought I would ever experience anything like this.
The actors were so pretty and angelic from their costumes, makeup, hair, physiques, and their props…. The props were crazy. Actors had instruments that worked simultaneously with their hands and bodies to make birds fly, other actors were walking on long stilts to represent giraffes, and elephants – I mean no way this was real!
Somebody pinch me right freakin’ now!
After the Lion King, my addiction to the London arts officially turned into a love affair! A love affair that I had no problem choosing if given the choice.
I was now on a full mission to conquer my next quest. I decided to end my night with the Les Misérables musical.
I purchased a ticket for 132-pound sterling at the Sondheim Theatre, got a hot dog at one of the independent carts on the street and headed into the play.
Okay, now I want to become some sort of opera singer. LOL.
The singing in the Les Misérables play was perfect. How was that even possible? Not one actor had any crack or gasps in their singing voices the entire time. I was now officially intimidated.
The arts in London are not competitive – they’re unmatched!
America, we’re in trouble.
That night, I didn’t sleep at all. I was still in complete shock of the talent I experienced yesterday to the point where I had no appetite to eat breakfast the next morning. (Even writing this post reminiscing about it makes me feel lovesick.)
To snap out of it I decided to get the courage to call a few of the acting schools nearby to see if they had any availability for visits. To my embarrassment, one person informed me that they don’t do unsolicited visits. (Wow! Rejected!). I didn’t even bother calling the rest of schools on my list after that.
I really needed some fresh air after that rejection, so I decided to go to Borough Market and had some of the best meat rolls I’d ever tasted. The market was packed, tight, and the lines were long especially to the station that was serving fish and chips. And, I will never forget one girl asking me, “If I was in the queue?” in her UK accent. She sounded so chique and high class, it just filled me up with joy.
Still on a euphoric high, I decided to take an Uber to Buckingham Palace. It was freezing that day, and it made my shortness of breath worse.
Eventually, I made it to the palace. Sadly, the gates were closed but there were hundreds of tourists and sightseers out there taking pictures. I also enjoyed watching one of the soldiers standing guard outside of the palace walking or shall I say marching back and forth as if he was on the actual frontline of a battlefield. I’m telling you, his toes and arms were pointed so straight and perfect with each step. I’m assuming he was doing it to try to keep warm.
After about an hour of standing in the cold, I decided to visit The Churchill Arms by Winston Churchill. The pub was packed and served some good Thai fried rice.
The next day, I decided to go to the Harry Potter Studios in Watford, England. I was a bit nervous because I couldn’t take an Uber to get to Watford Junction. Sadly, my whole day was lost trying to figure out the metro line and train.
To quench my hunger, I decided to go Dave’s Hot Chicken, and it was also packed. I got a meal with Sprite. I drank the sprite and realized that it had a funny taste. I looked down at the bottle and saw that it was Sprite Zero. (What?) I went back to the cashier and politely asked if she gave me the right drink and she agreed. She also told me that all their soft drinks were Zero sugar. (Sugar is definitely the devil in the UK)
It’s my official last full day in London and I’m ready to tackle the transportation lines to get to Watford Junction to visit the Harry Potter Studios. Luckily, I made it there smoothly. A bus came specifically to take us to the studios and the tour began.
It was definitely full of magic! Seeing the cupboard below the stairs that Harry slept in during the first film to the Hogwarts Express was surreal. But what I really wanted to try was the infamous butterbeer.
Their butterbeer café had the actual butterbeer itself and its ice cream version. I must say, I wasn’t really a fan of the butterbeer but the ice cream was really good.
I wish I had time to go to Paris, but I’ll get there next time!
All in all, if you have any dreams of making it in the arts, I strongly advise you to visit countries where art and culture are a major priority. Always strive to say yes to yourself and experiencing different ways of living. You’ll be surprised at how much it changes your perspective on life.
Much Luv,
Gia (Your Secret Lover) 😊
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