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Oh Budget, Where Art Thou?
Leigh Wilson was an intern at
Travel Channel between May and July this year. She is currently
a student at Florida State University in Tallahassee with plans
to graduate next Spring. She loves to travel, and enjoyed every
minute of her time in London.
I decided to spend my summer abroad one
evening while watching Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy fall in love
over conversation and a train-ride through Europe in BEFORE
SUNRISE. The only language I've studied in college is American
Sign Language, which I knew wouldn't get me very far around
the world, so I chose London as my destination. Plus it has
everything a big city could possibly offer; theatre, nightlife,
culture. Having previously traveled in Europe I felt prepared
for my visit, however the last time I left the US, the dollar
was much stronger and my country wasn't at war. After a few
hours in England I realized I would have to adapt to the higher
prices and the not-always-so-fond-of-Americans-sentiment.
 I
began celebrating my newfound freedom to drink legally on the
flight over. My plane arrived at Gatwick Airport in early May
before the tourist high season in July. Being from Florida my
first shock was finding out it stays chilly in London all the
way through June. From the airport to the city I took a shuttlebus
provided by my school, but other options include train, the
London Underground or Tube, and the Gatwick and Heathrow Express.
I found that traveling abroad through
my University was much easier than finding my own accommodations,
however hostels are a great way for backpackers and young travelers
to save money on lodging. Friends of mine stayed at the Generator
Hostel located in Russell Square not far from Covent Garden,
Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Prices start from £11
a night and it even has a bar on the property.
There is so much to do in London I've
found it difficult to fit in everything, even in three months.
The first attractions I hit up were the free ones. The Changing
of the Guards at Buckingham Palace is a traditional tourist
pull. The early birds get up close, but I found I could see
plenty from afar. Many of the museums in London are free as
well such as the British Museum and Natural History Museum.
 On
my first day in London I spent the afternoon strolling down
by the Thames River where I could see traditional London sites
such as Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral
and the London Eye. Also along the Thames is the Tower of London,
one of the most popular attractions in London. The Tower of
London has been not only the living space but also the death
place of many British Monarchs for centuries, as well as home
to the Crown Jewels. I found the stories and history behind
the Tower more interesting than the Tower itself. I wouldn't
recommend touring the Tower without a guide, as you'll miss
the legends that make the place so fascinating.
I haven't made it onto the London Eye
yet as I can't justify spending £12.50 on a giant ferris wheel.
I'm sure the view is amazing, but for much less I can have tea
at the top of the National Portrait Gallery and get the same
amazing view sitting down.
As a tourist in London I felt it was my
duty to take silly pictures in a phone booth, make funny faces
at the Royal Guards, and attempt to talk in a not-very-convincing
British accent, all of which cost me nothing. Once I got that
out of my system I moved on to some less touristy attractions.
Ronnie Scott's is a world famous jazz
club located in Soho. Entrance is £20 during the week, which
is a bit pricey, but if you are a student entrance is just £10
Monday-Wednesday. The atmosphere and music are both relaxing
and it is easy to spend a night getting lost in the sounds of
this smooth jazz club. I arrived early and was able to get in
without a reservation, however it is recommended to call ahead.
As well known as London is for its teatime
and fish-n-chips, it is also notorious for being the birthplace
of serious theatre. The variety of shows guarantee there will
be something for everyone. I'm a fan of timeless performances
such as the Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, which are
among the longest running shows in London. To avoid high ticket
prices check out the half-priced ticket booth in Leicester Square
or show up an hour before the show starts to buy reduced price
tickets.
 One
of my favorite places in London is in fact Leicester Square,
where you'll find many cinemas, restaurants, and nightclubs.
During the day Leicester Square is great for the whole family
to catch a movie, grab a snack, or if lucky see some celebrities
on their way to a movie premier. During the night however it
is the perfect spot to go haggle with bouncers for cheap admission
and possibly free drink coupons at nightclubs.
One of the things I have not missed at
all this summer is my car. I've managed to travel about London
easily and affordably for months. My favorite, not to mention
the most affordable way of getting around the city is walking.
With comfortable walking shoes and an A-Z map (which is called
'Zed' not 'Zee') I'm set for the day. As I have no sense of
direction and could get lost in a paper bag, I have found myself
wandering about the city aimlessly many times, but that's all
part of the fun.
I've also had my trusted Oyster Card (good
for both the tube and city buses) help me get about London.
Travel cards are a great way to save money on traveling through
the city. For late nights when the tube is closed there are
always cabs, just make sure to avoid the unlicensed ones. I
have even ridden on a rickshaw (a ride I hope never to experience
again). Somehow I managed to find the one rickshaw bicyclist
that was new to the job and had never been to London before.
I spent what felt like an eternity on a jaunt of the London
side streets before requesting to be dropped off, not at my
final destination. Since then I've walked home.
 "What
language do you speak?" asked my colleagues one night at a pub.
"English" I replied. I then had to correct myself when they
pointed out we have butchered their language. I have learned
that in fact I actually speak "American" which is much different
from British English. For instance in England "pants" are underwear,
so call your pants "trousers". Also crisps are chips, chips
are fries and a biscuit is really a cookie. Do not ask for the
rest room, you will be sent to a room to rest. Instead ask for
the loo or the toilet. The language differences can be very
amusing. I have had to fight back the urge many times to ask
people if they "fancy a spot of tea".
London is not particularly known for fine
cuisine, however it is possible to eat a decent meal for a reasonable
price. Scattered about London are sandwich eateries, pizza counters,
and even kebab shops where taking your food to go will save
you a bit of money. As an avid breakfast fan I have been disappointed
by the way the British manage to ruin a perfectly good meal
by pouring baked beans all over it. Neither am I a fan of cod
which is served all over England in fish n' chips shops. who
knew you could ruin anything fried.
I have however become an addict of YO!
Sushi where plates of sushi rotate around the restaurant on
a conveyer belt and the miso soup is unlimited. Different colored
plates mean different prices, but between 3 pm- 6 pm during
the week all dishes are just £2.
Drinking alcohol is a big pastime in British
culture so you will find people drinking at all hours of the
day. I'm not yet a legal drinker back in the States so I have
found my alcohol tolerance has grown in part due to the higher
alcohol content found in the beer here. Drinking doesn't have
to cost an arm and a leg either. Monday nights my friends and
I head to Walkabout, a chain Australian-themed bar that serves
£1 pints and well drinks.
Then there's Cheap Skates. Located in
Soho this bar reminds me of a mixture of a cruise ship, strip
club, and airplane. The interior is a little sleazy but shots
are just 70 pence on Wednesday nights.
Despite recent attacks. some of which
I am watching on the news as I write this. London remains one
of the safest cities in the world. I have never once felt unsafe
in this city as long as I pay attention to my surroundings and
use good judgment. London is an easy city to fall in love with,
and I've fallen head over heels.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
London Tourist Board
www.visitlondon.com
London Tourism Guide
www.londontourist.org
London Theatre
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
London Transport
www.tfl.gov.uk
The Generator Hostel
www.the-generator.co.uk
London Slang
www.londonslang.com
Ronnie Scott's
www.ronniescotts.co.uk
YO! Sushi
www.yosushi.com
August 2005 |