“Juan, you’re going to London,” loosely read a meeting invite on my work email. An excitedly grateful reply ensued, followed by a question to myself — “how can I make the most of this trip?” I had to stay the weekend. I had to do the most.
“We’re sorry” money from a few complaints and “thank you” money from volunteering to stay an extra night to salvage an overbooked flight got me to London for free when I was in college. Expectations were higher this time around. Thanks, Delta.
All I needed was a place to stay, a (small) budget to burn, a local to take me on a proper night out, and the willingness to explore new places on my own. Right on, sis’.
A Tiny Bed in Big London
Location, location, location — and what a location. Four stops north of Green Park station on the Jubilee line of the underground, about twenty minutes from Buckingham Palace. I had never heard of “Swiss Cottage” before this trip, but it added a nice ring to the name of the hostel I found on Hostelworld.com. Never having stayed at a hostel before, I wondered how this 10-bed shared room situation would work. Turns out I sleep more soundly when spending only $20 a night for a bed.
Everything about Palmer’s Lodge Swiss Cottage was pleasant. The free Wi-Fi. The pristine bathrooms and showers. The monitored luggage storage room. The vibe of the crowd at the bar stumbling back into the hostel after midnight. I might never book a room at a hotel again — at least when traveling solo.
Ballin’ on a (Small) Budget
I had roughly two months to save, from the end of July till the second week of October. A few Yelp searches and my cheap hostel snatch brought me to an estimated $300 for the days I would be on my own — after business ended and leisure started. That was accounting for a couple nights out — mischief had to be managed.
- Hostel: $67 after taxes and fees (three nights at $20/night)
- Oyster Card (for the underground): $60 (I went all over that city)
- Noms: $200 for two brunches, two dinners, one lunch, one late night recovery meal, couple o’ beer breaks, daily coffee and dessert break (hungry boy was out to play)
- Nighttime activities: $70 Friday night out in Soho, Saturday night out near Trafalgar Square and in Camden, Uber back to hostel (definitely did the most)
- Ghost Bus Tour: $33 for a one-hour tour (unexpectedly worth it)
- Plane Ticket: priceless (work covered the airfare, but one-stop tickets for a five-day weekend in London from Atlanta to London go for as low as $585 on KAYAK Explore)
GRAND TOTAL: $430 (overbudget BUT my godmother gave me €100 as a college graduation present so I was shy of $50 overbudget)
Note: 1 U.S. dollar was worth roughly 0.78 British pounds during my trip.
Doing the Most in a Few Days
Friday
First day off work. It was just the two of us — a small town boy and a megacity. Left the hotel I was staying at for work before noon. Headed to Swiss Cottage station to drop my luggage at the hostel.
Treated myself to lunch at Duck & Waffle. Walked all over Central London, north and south of the Thames. Met up with my friend Charley in Soho to pre-game at The Cock Tavern before cheeky mischief at Simmons Bar. Indulged on Chinese takeout from Chopstix. Crashed at Charley’s place.
Saturday
Woke up in Balham. Walked to MILK for a delightful brunch in Charley’s neighborhood. Finally checked into the hostel after almost losing my reservation for not showing up the day before. Took a nap before exploring the Hampstead area. Satisfied my crêpe craving at La Crêperie de Hampstead. Did an unplanned pumpkin hunt at Fenton House before an unplanned trip to Camden Town. Light souvenir shopping before coffee and dessert at Caffè Nero.
Sunday
In the mood for a chill solo day. Woke up in time for an early lunch at Nando’s near King’s Cross Station. Explored Platform 9 ¾ before walking across to St. Pancra’s Station.
Pit stop at Ladurée for much needed macarons. Tube ride to St. Paul’s Cathedral — absolutely breathtaking from inside. Stroll through Millennium Bridge, past the giant Harry Potter wands, on the way to TATE Modern. Three hour stay at the museum, featuring rooftop views and sunset brews. Table for one at The Grazing Goat. Early night in to prepare for the flight back home.
This weekend getaway made the world feel so small. I felt exhilarated and energized at all times. Being alone in a foreign environment got me closer to myself, bringing to my eyes my true essence — the ideas and behaviors that make me who I am. This brief immersion into the multicultural and globalized nature of London’s past and present reminded me that no matter how small I might be in this world, I should always dare to dream as big as my heart desires.
Love and light, from Atlanta to [London].
FROM TAMPA TO [ ] 