Brighton, Oxford, and the lovely Rachel Thompson

Hi friends and family!  Before I start this post, I just want to say I can't wait to be home in only 8 DAYS!!!  I miss you all dearly, but I'm also trying to soak up as much of London as possible before I go.  My heart is so torn!

I have this sweet, amazing long-time friend named Rachel Thompson :) and I got to see her not once, but TWICE over the last two weeks!  And a third reunion is on it's way...we're going to see Les Miserables next week!  It has been a huge blessing to have adventurous, quality time with you, Rachel.  We've seen each other more in London than we have in the last year!  Let's keep up the pattern when we get back to the States :)

On the first weekend Rachel was here, I took her to my favorite place in all of London - Borough Market.  We stood in line for nearly half an hour to try the famous duck sandwiches.  They were delicious!  Also had some sparkling Prosecco to go with it.

Could we be sisters?  I think YES!

We also explored a North London neighborhood called Hampstead, which is a pretty upscale area.  It's full of boutiques, restaurants, and townhomes with Audis and Mercedes parked out front.  In the middle of Hampstead is a giant park called Hampstead Heath, where we hiked to the top of Parliament Hill for a great view of the London skyline.  It was a lot like Primrose Hill, a favorite hangout spot of the interns, but from a different perspective - very cool!

Hampstead Heath

Whilst exploring Hampstead, I came across this little gem and instantly missed College Station!  The new home where I'm living with my roommates is also white with a red door :) Made me miss my roomies!!!  I can't wait to be back on Suffolk Avenue with my girls.

The Suffolk Casa look-alike

Rachel and I also enjoyed a showing of The 39 Steps, a very clever and entertaining West End comedy performed by only four actors!  They brought the entire story to life with limited props, and several of the actors hilariously changed back and forth between characters in the middle of a scene with the flip of a hat or a coat.  I highly recommend it to those of my friends in London!

We also visited the sweet seaside town of Brighton!  Rnd vegan cafes called The Lanes, as well as an exciting nightlife on the Brighton Pier.  Relaxing on the pebble beach and dipping in the cold water was just what we needed as a break from London.  I had low expectations for a pebble beach, but it turned out to be a pleasant experience since there's absolutely no sand to worry about!  We still felt clean even after sitting there for hours.  Such a beautiful day with our friends Mina, Maimuna, and John.

Pebble beach and Brighton Pier

Me, Mina, and Rachel

The next weekend, Mina and I traveled to Oxford with another of the interns named Maura.  The town was surprisingly quiet, and yet again another refreshing break from the bustle of London.  We explored the various museums and shops before meeting up with Rachel to take a tour of her college!  She's been staying at Wadham College, and the place is just like something out of Harry Potter.  We even visited The Eagle and Child pub, where literary greats C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien used to sit and discuss their works!  Oxford is covered with amazing pieces of history.

Einstein's chalkboard!!!

Wadham College

The dining hall at Wadham College

I'll be home SO SOON!!!  It'll be a bittersweet goodbye.  I'm going to do the best I can to work hard and enjoy every moment of London right up until I step on the plane to go home.  I can already feel the tears coming - both of sadness and joy!

Much love,
Hayley