London - Day 4

Still a day behind! Yesterday we decided to act like locals. We slept in a little, ate our free breakfast and took the tube to the Portobello Market. The market was about a mile long and it was broken into different type of markets like antiques, food, new goods and a flea market. It was obviously a local favorite because the streets were packed! The best thing about shopping with Paige and Arin is that we all like to move at the same speed aka slowly looking at and trying on everything. Even things I wasn't interested in were fun to look at. We were starving by the time we got to the food section. I decided to get chicken and onion on a Mediterranean salad

I ate everything! (Including the olives, tomatoes and raw onions! I feel like such a big girl now) Arin and Paige split the seafood paella.

It looked pretty good in the take out box, but even better when they were making it!

I was pretty good at just viewing everything and holding out till the end to decide what I wanted and it paid off. First, I had seen a shirt on Thursday that had the London sky line and the underground and I was kind of bummed I didn't buy it on the spot, but I figured there'd be tons of them at the market on Saturday. Well, printed souvenir tank tops were definitely a big thing because almost every stand had TONS. But none of the ones I had seen/wanted!! Luckily Paige spotted one almost at the very end of the market. They only had one cream colored one in my size, but it had a stain on it so I got it for a little off. Next I had no hesitation at the tea stand, I actually regret not getting another one. I made sure to choose London themed teas like an Herbal Notting Hill (which is where this Market is located) and Earl Grey Blue Star. Finally on the way out the statement necklaces caught my eye. I know these aren't super London-y (especially the bubble necklace, which I like started in the USA), but it was much cheaper (andI negotiated the price down a little more) than my pink one and will make me look a little more fashionable.

After a long day at the market we went to a local pub for a pitcher of pimms. Ladbroke Arms was located in a Notting Hill neighborhood and had a really laid back feel with only locals and their dogs hanging out on the terrace. 

Everyone was so nice and the bartender was very excited to make our first pitcher of Pimms. Paige watched as he freshly sliced all the oranges, strawberries and cucumbers. It looked absolutely beautiful!

(Notice the new necklace!) While in still convinced this drink contains no alcohol, it tasted like the yummiest summer juice. We decided to move on from the Ladbroke arms to something a little less expensive for dinner. We try to avoid chains (like the Starbucks that may be even more common here than in the states), but why not try a fun London chain called Giraffe? I ordered off the feel good menu and got a hummus appetizer and a pork curry noodles entree. It's amazing how the portions here are so much more realistic. I have been in the clean plate club since I've arrived and I have never felt overly full. We were full and happy and went back to our hostel to pack up and get ready for today's travels... Which ill talk about in my next post (might as well keep them separate and organized)!