Walking Among Royals - London, U.K.

My first taste of Europe

July, 2019

Sometimes you need to get lost in order to find yourself. After spending several summers in Haiti working for the organization Helping Hands 4 Haiti, working towards a master's degree, and working 3 jobs....I realized I needed a trip for myself. I travel solo quite frequently, but always meet a friend at my destination. This was the first time that I booked a complete trip to just be on my own. It was not only an adventure and challenge I wanted to accomplish, but I set aside plans for personal reflection and growth.

"Sometimes you need to get lost in order to find yourself"

It seems like such a simple concept, but the feeling of accomplishment I had when I was able to navigate through a new city was empowering. Especially in France, where I didn't know the language. I was able to figure out the subway map and public transit in order to get from point A to B with minimal time spent feeling lost.

My First European trip

This was my first expedition on the continent of Europe, so I didn't want to make too many plans or overwhelm myself. So I booked 5 days in London and 4 in Paris. I would ride the EuroRail from U.K. to France (note: book well in advance. I overpaid because I ordered the ticket the night before). I loved wandering around London. The hospitality, friendliness, and humor of the British people was the best way to start my solo adventure. The city was easy to navigate (without cellular service), the Big Red Bus was a great way to see all of the city in a short amount of time, and the historical significance of my self-directed walking tour made for a great 4 days of exploration. I took a one-day tour to the countryside to see Windsor Palace, the Roman Baths, and Stonehenge. I didn't have big expectations....I thought "how exciting can a pile of 5,000 year old rocks be?" I was pleasantly surprised. I downloaded a podcast that discussed many theories of the rocks at Stonehenge while I did the 360 walk around the stones. It was the perfect day: sunny and 70 degrees. Had I not been on a time constraint with a bus tour, I would have loved to lie in the grass, listening to music, journaling and reflecting. However, those tours keep you on the move so that you can see as much as possible in one day.

The highlight of my trip was going to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lives, and see the changing of the guards. This is something I've dreamt of since a young age, and stepping in the footsteps of English royalty was a magical experience.