Tate Modern | bloggingsandra

We came back from London on Saturday and I already miss it! The two weeks were interesting and full of impressions.
Our friends Fran and Martin were so kind to offer us their apartment during the first week of our stay.

What I liked most was to experience the friendliness of the London people. Wherever we went, we got help with the pushchair or when moving around with Sofia in the sling, we were offered a seat. On a full street, there is no one that bumps into you when carrying a baby (and in cases it happened, it was a tourist). I know I should not generalise, but it has really amazed me how different people react to children comparing to Zurich. They are always welcome, lots of cafés and restaurants have a high chair or a nappy changing station or both.
I also understand Fran when she says that she does not use the pushchair. There is no way to master all the stairs of the tube alone!

Another thing that was great is that most museums are free and only for some special expositions there is a fee. As Martin mentioned, specially with kids, maybe you want to see a museum, you pay a lot for an entrance and after half an hour they are bored or just not in the mood that day. With a free entrance, you are most probably going to return (and buy some snacks or drinks again). Switzerland should consider this option!
We have seen the Saatchi Gallery, the Tate Modern and the Science Museum. All three of them great and highly recommendable.

And there is life on the streets every day. Shops are open, and with that, people go out to have a walk. Foodwise there is an amazing and affordable offer.

Shopping was nice but a real madness on boxing day. I bought some things from Anthropologie, a really nice shop. One of the walls has plants all over!

This shop is not in my budget normally but I have found some really cool pieces the last day before sales started and rates were already adjusted. Great for me!

We have also found some really cool things for Sofia. There is a little shop in Camden Market which is called Heavenly Monsters. They have really cute stuff for the little ones.

And the glasses we bought at General Eyewear: Only Alex’ glasses made it. Mine was not ready and will be sent to me. And I am sooooo waiting for them!

Other than that we have just walked a lot to discover different boroughs. Ah, another cool tip from Fran was to visit Northcote street, near to Clapham Junction. It is a cute little street with cafés, restaurants and little shops. We then wanted to go to Shoreditch, which is really located in the opposite part of the town and suddenly we saw a bus that was going there. We were lucky to catch seats in the upper level in the front. The ride took about an hour, so that was like discovering a part of the city but on a regular bus.

All in all two fantastic weeks in London. A pity time runs so fast when having a great time. But I know we will be back soon.