Three Days in London

If there’s one thing we love at OTBT more than shoes, it’s travel stories. Our newest model, Anne just got back from a fast-paced, action-packed trip to London. We asked her about her experience across the pond, and here’s what she had to say:

So tell us more about your trip to London.

My mom works for American Airlines, so I get to fly for free, and every year we try to go to a new country. My mom surprised me and told me we were going to London. We were only there for three days – it was a whirlwind trip.

Where did you travel and what sights did you see?

We got there and hit the ground running. The first day we saw the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. We were running on no sleep, but we made the best out of our first day. The second day we did a hop-on-hop-off bus tour through London. This was the best way to see the entire city, in my opinion. We saw everything from Big Ben, to the London Eye and Parliament, to Buckingham Palace, and even got caught in a protest! The third day, our last day, we took a tour to Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge.

What was your best memory from the trip?

My favorite part of the trip was having a traditional English tea in Bath. When I travel I like to fully immerse myself in the culture and try to do things that are authentic to the area. My mom and I sat in a cute little cottage and drank tea and had traditional English scones while enjoying each other’s company.

Any funny stories from the trip?

Whenever I would think of London, I would picture those guards in the red outfits and big black fluffy hats with the serious demeanors. My goal was to make one of them laugh while I was in London, and sadly, I was not able to do so. The guards really take their jobs seriously!

Did you experience any "culture-shock"?

I did not experience major culture shock per say, but I did notice some differences between British and American culture. For example, a sweater is called a jumper, French fries are chips, cookies are biscuits, getting in line is queuing up, and an elevator is a lift. The people in the UK were very polite and respectful. Displaying manners seemed to be a common theme among the British people.

Describe your travel style.

When I travel I have to be comfortable – bottom line. I usually gravitate towards neutral colors: whites, creams, pale pinks, etc. Although I have to be comfortable, I also have to be stylish. I usually pack at least one pair of jeans, because they go with everything, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes. I got a long cream trench coat while I was in London, and it was my staple piece for all of my outfits while I was there.

What did you like best about traveling in the Normcore?

The Normcore was amazing! I have flat feet, so my feet are always bound to hurt after walking for many hours; however, my feet never hurt while wearing the Normcore. I also love how cute they are. They matched everything I brought with me, so I literally only packed one pair of shoes. Cute tennis shoes, or trainers as they call them in England, seemed to be a common style among young adults, so I fit right in.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give those who are looking to travel to London?

Bring an umbrella! The saying is true that it always rains in England. Also, comfortable walking shoes are a must. In order to see all of the sights, you should expect to do a good deal of walking. Oh, and don’t forget a jacket like I did. Even in September, you need a jacket while in London. Lastly, have fun! Go out and eat the traditional food, even if you think it sounds gross. (Yes, I ate mushy peas.) London has an amazing night life with ample fun and hip restaurants just waiting to be explored!