Books & Writing

It was the White Rabbit, trotting slowly back again, and looking anxiously about as it went, as if it had lost something; and she heard it muttering to itself ‘The Duchess! The Duchess! Oh my dear paws! Oh my fur and whiskers! She’ll get me executed, as sure as ferrets are ferrets! Where can I have dropped them, I wonder?’ Alice guessed in a moment that it was looking for the fan and the pair of white kid gloves, and she very good-naturedly began hunting about for them, but they were nowhere to be seen—everything seemed to have changed since her swim in the pool, and the great hall, with the glass table and the little door, had vanished completely.

Very soon the Rabbit noticed Alice, as she went hunting about, and called out to her in an angry tone, ‘Why, Mary Ann, what are you doing out here? Run home this moment, and fetch me a pair of gloves and a fan! Quick, now!’ And Alice was so much frightened that she ran off at once in the direction it pointed to, without trying to explain the mistake it had made.

‘He took me for his housemaid,’ she said to herself as she ran. ‘How surprised he’ll be when he finds out who I am! But I’d better take him his fan and gloves—that is, if I can find them.’ As she said this, she came upon a neat little house, on the door of which was a bright brass plate with the name ‘W. RABBIT’ engraved upon it. She went in without knocking, and hurried upstairs, in great fear lest she should meet the real Mary Ann, and be turned out of the house before she had found the fan and gloves.

‘How queer it seems,’ Alice said to herself, ‘to be going messages for a rabbit! I suppose Dinah’ll be sending me on messages next!’ And she began fancying the sort of thing that would happen: ‘“Miss Alice! Come here directly, and get ready for your walk!” “Coming in a minute, nurse! But I’ve got to see that the mouse doesn’t get out.” Only I don’t think,’ Alice went on, ‘that they’d let Dinah stop in the house if it began ordering people about like that!’

Croissant jelly beans cotton candy marzipan chocolate cake soufflé lollipop. Lollipop sesame snaps lemon drops sugar plum bear claw. Chupa chups dessert carrot cake candy canes gingerbread jelly. Biscuit jelly beans wafer apple pie candy canes sugar plum biscuit sugar plum.

Dragée croissant sweet roll pastry soufflé danish chocolate bear claw. Chocolate bar tiramisu chupa chups lemon drops dessert gummi bears donut cheesecake sweet. Pie cake icing marshmallow macaroon soufflé toffee danish cupcake. Caramels biscuit jujubes lollipop wafer.

Ice cream tootsie roll gummi bears gummies shortbread chupa chups pudding. Powder cupcake oat cake brownie ice cream dragée gummi bears tart. Donut wafer shortbread topping bonbon icing halvah carrot cake donut.

[ADD YOUR RECIPE HERE]

Dragée croissant sweet roll pastry soufflé danish chocolate bear claw. Chocolate bar tiramisu chupa chups lemon drops dessert gummi bears donut cheesecake sweet. Pie cake icing marshmallow macaroon soufflé toffee danish cupcake. Caramels biscuit jujubes lollipop wafer.

Ice cream tootsie roll gummi bears gummies shortbread chupa chups pudding. Powder cupcake oat cake brownie ice cream dragée gummi bears tart. Donut wafer shortbread topping bonbon icing halvah carrot cake donut.

There are some cities that immediately feel familiar, even if it is your first time stepping foot in them.

London was one of those places for me.

I recently found myself reminiscing about my trip to London with friends and honestly, I still cannot believe how much we packed into such a short amount of time. We were only there for two days. Truly. Two days in one of the most iconic cities in the world sounds borderline criminal, but somehow we managed to squeeze in so much that it still felt incredibly fulfilling.

If you know me, you know I have always loved England, British culture, history, and honestly the whole aesthetic of it all. The architecture, the accents, the charm, the tea, the old pubs, the way everything somehow feels both timeless and alive at the same time. London had been on my travel bucket list for years, so finally getting to experience it felt surreal.

And somehow, despite only having 48 hours in London, we made it happen.

First Impressions of London

The first thing that struck me about London was how beautiful it was. Not in a flashy or over-the-top way, but in a deeply layered way. It feels historic without trying too hard. Everywhere you turn there is another building with hundreds of years of history, another hidden street, another beautiful church, another reminder that you are somewhere so much older than home.

As an American, it is kind of wild to stand in places that have existed longer than the history of your own country.

The city somehow feels grand and cozy at the same time. One second you are standing in front of a royal palace and the next you are tucked into a charming side street with flower boxes and cafés.

Seeing Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

One of the things I was most excited for was seeing Buckingham Palace and watching the Changing of the Guard.

And somehow, Buckingham Palace was even more beautiful than I imagined.

You always see photos online, but standing there in person feels entirely different. The gates, the architecture, the sheer scale of it all. It genuinely felt regal. I know that sounds dramatic, but there is really no other word for it.

Watching the Changing of the Guard felt like one of those classic “wow, I am actually here” travel moments. It was touristy in the best way possible and honestly something I think everyone should see at least once if they are visiting London.

There is just something very distinctly British about it that made the whole experience feel so special.

Big Ben, London Bridge, and So Many Iconic London Landmarks

If you are looking for things to do in London, the city practically overwhelms you with iconic places to see.

We wandered through so many historic sites that at some point I lost track of what century I was mentally living in.

Seeing Big Ben in person felt oddly emotional. It sounds silly because obviously it is “just” a clock tower, but it is one of those landmarks you have seen your whole life in movies, books, and photos. Standing there and actually seeing it with your own eyes feels surreal.

We crossed London Bridge, walked through some of the most beautiful historic areas, and spent a lot of time simply wandering because honestly, London is one of those cities where walking around is part of the experience.

You could spend hours just admiring architecture.

There was something beautiful around every corner.

Riding the Tube Like a Real Londoner

Of course, I had to experience the London Tube.

I feel like riding the Tube is a London rite of passage. Once you figure it out, it honestly feels kind of iconic. There is something oddly fun about navigating a city through underground tunnels while hearing all the station announcements in British accents.

I will say, there is definitely a moment of panic when you are trying to figure out which direction to go, but somehow we survived.

And honestly, public transportation in London is elite.

A Very Touristy Red Telephone Booth Photo

Listen.

You simply cannot go to London and not take the classic tourist photo in one of the red telephone booths.

I refuse to feel embarrassed about this.

Was it cliché? Absolutely.

Did I still do it anyway? Also absolutely.

Some moments are tourist moments for a reason.

Riding the London Eye

One of my favorite experiences was riding the London Eye.

Seeing the London skyline from above was such a cool perspective of the city. You really get a sense of how massive and layered London is. Historic buildings mixed with modern architecture, the River Thames winding through the city, landmarks popping up everywhere.

It was one of those moments where I kind of stopped and thought, wow, this is really happening.

Walking Across Abbey Road

As someone who appreciates music history, walking across Abbey Road was honestly so fun.

Yes, we absolutely recreated the iconic crosswalk moment.

No, I will not be accepting judgment.

It is funny because something so simple somehow feels weirdly exciting when you are actually there.

London really has a way of making even small moments feel special.

Touring London’s Graffiti Scene

One of the coolest and most unexpected parts of the trip was taking a private London graffiti tour.

I loved this because it showed a completely different side of the city.

When most people think of London, they picture royal landmarks, churches, palaces, and historic buildings. But there is also this incredibly creative, artistic side that exists throughout the city.

The street art was unbelievable.

It felt like stepping into an outdoor gallery and hearing the stories behind the artists made it even more interesting. I loved seeing this contrast between old London and modern London existing side by side.

History and rebellion.

Tradition and creativity.

London somehow balances both perfectly.

Beautiful Churches and Historic Sites in London

We also toured one of the most beautiful churches and honestly, it was one of my favorite quieter moments of the trip.

There is something about old churches in Europe that immediately slows you down.

The architecture, the details, the feeling that generations and generations of people have walked through the same space before you. It makes you pause for a second.

London is filled with historic places like this and I think that is what makes it feel so magical.

You are constantly surrounded by stories.

Exploring a London Outdoor Market

One thing I always try to do when traveling is experience places beyond the obvious tourist attractions.

We spent time wandering through a large outdoor market in London, which felt so alive.

I love markets when I travel because you get such a better feel for the local culture. The food vendors, handmade items, antiques, people watching, flowers, random little treasures. It is chaotic in the best way.

Honestly, I probably could have wandered for hours.

The Surprisingly Perfect Meal After Traveling

One of the dinners that weirdly stands out most in my memory was also the simplest.

I had a vegetable soup (and Fanta- yes the rumors are true, the Fanta in Europe is 1000% better and tastes more like sparkling OJ rather than fake orange candy flavor like we get in the US).

And I know that sounds deeply underwhelming for a meal on vacation.

But after traveling, running around nonstop, barely sitting down, and trying to fit an entire city into two days, it genuinely felt like the best meal ever.

It tasted homemade. Warm. Comforting.

Like the kind of thing someone makes you when you are exhausted and need a reset.

Sometimes travel meals are not about fancy restaurants or over-the-top experiences. Sometimes it is just about finally sitting down and eating something that feels grounding.

That soup honestly deserves its own honorable mention.

Sneaking Away for Pasta in Kensington

Although, in very me fashion, I also managed to sneak away to a build-your-own pasta spot in Kensington because priorities.

And honestly?

Zero regrets.

There is something about customizing your own pasta after walking around all day that feels like self care.

Kensington itself was beautiful too. Quiet, charming, elegant. The kind of neighborhood where every townhouse makes you start imagining an entirely different life.

Final Thoughts on Visiting London

Looking back, London felt like one of those places that leaves a mark on you.

Was two days enough? Absolutely not.

Did we somehow still manage to experience so much? Weirdly yes.

London is beautiful, historic, creative, charming, busy, and endlessly interesting all at once. It feels royal without feeling stuffy, historic without feeling frozen in time, and touristy in a way that somehow still feels magical.

I left feeling like I had barely scratched the surface and already wanting to go back.

Because if London managed to make me fall in love with it in just 48 hours, I can only imagine what longer would feel like.

Until next time, London 🇬🇧

‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); ‘now I’m opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye, feet!’ (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off). ‘Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I’m sure I shan’t be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself about you: you must manage the best way you can;—but I must be kind to them,’ thought Alice, ‘or perhaps they won’t walk the way I want to go! Let me see: I’ll give them a new pair of boots every Christmas.’
And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it. ‘They must go by the carrier,’ she thought; ‘and how funny it’ll seem, sending presents to one’s own feet! And how odd the directions will look!

Alice’s Right Foot, Esq.
Hearthrug,
near The Fender,
(with Alice’s love).

Oh dear, what nonsense I’m talking!’

Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door.

Poor Alice! It was as much as she could do, lying down on one side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to cry again.

‘You ought to be ashamed of yourself,’ said Alice, ‘a great girl like you,’ (she might well say this), ‘to go on crying in this way! Stop this moment, I tell you!’ But she went on all the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the hall.

After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to himself as he came, ‘Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won’t she be savage if I’ve kept her waiting!’ Alice felt so desperate that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, ‘If you please, sir—’ The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard as he could go.

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’

So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.

There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!’ (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well.

Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was labelled ‘ORANGE MARMALADE’, but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.