Why I’m Looking Forward to England

on December 7, 2009
in All Posts

Obviously, I needed a break from writing the book, which is why I composed this post… my mind was wandering to my upcoming vacation!  🙂

 

Here are 10 reasons why I’m excited to go to England on Christmas Eve (don’t worry, I’ll still be blogging everyday!). 

 

Number 10:  Last time I went to England, I was just “Kristien’s American girlfriend.”  This time around, I get to use my new passport with my new last name… and we’re celebrating 1 year of marriage!

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(We both look SO YOUNG… we were 22!)

 

Number 9: INDIAN FOOD!  England has the best Indian food.  I predict we will eat a ton since we can’t have fish and chips this time.

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Number 8:  I will get to do my last two weeks of pre-Marathon running in London AKA the coolest city on Earth.  Thinking back to my 2006 trip (when I was well into the “healthy habits” stage of my life), I didn’t run once!  What was I thinking – it’s so pretty there!

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Number 7:  The theatre!  We’re going to see Oliver – the Husband’s favorite musical.  Last time, we saw The Lion King, which was just amazing.

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Number 6:  British people wear funny hats and say funny things (when you’re an American…).

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Number 5:  I am looking forward to doing a bar crawl through London again.  Last time, we crawled through SoHo and had a lot of fun.   Bars are just cooler in England.  And the names are funny.

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(Can you spot me?)

 

Number 4: I am excited to ride the Tube.  The Tube goes EVERYWHERE and is very efficient.  I am obsessed with the British lady that says, “Mind the gap.  Mind the gap.  Mind the gap.”  I heard she got fired, though – did they replace her voice, too?

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Oh, and you can drink beer on the Tube.  Another reason it’s awesome.

 

Number 3:  I’m excited to get out of the big city and go to Bath, where we are staying for two nights in a deluxe hotel (whoop, whoop).  Spa treatments, here I come!  Bath is also a city rich in history, as it features the very, very old Roman bath house.  Pretty cool!

Number 2:  Cannot wait to see the White Cliffs in Dover in real life.  They are so beautiful… seeing this area of Europe has been on my “wish list” for a long time.

And finally….

 

Number 1:  Trashy British tabloids!

They are supremely more trashy and awesome than American tabloids.  Even though I don’t know who half of the people are (Jordan? Katie Price? Same person, right?).

 

Have you been to London? Did you like it?  What’s your favorite “big city” to visit (or live in!)?

{ 114 comments }

 

  • alli December 7, 2009, 4:44 pm

    jeal! can’t wait to see/read about your adventures!

  • ellie December 7, 2009, 4:46 pm

    I lived in London for 8 years and loved it. Especially Covent Garden (which has an amazing vegetarian courtyard with a bunch of restaurants- google Neal’s Yard!) My favourite city is New York, but I really want to visit San Fransisco one day 😀

  • Lindsay December 7, 2009, 4:48 pm

    I really hope that you enjoy your trip to England… my brother is leaving on thrusday for a 1 month trip to england as that is where both of my parents are from and I actually hold citizenship in england as well as America. If you have time… you should try to go the Windsor Farmshop in Windsor… it is a farmshop that is stocked with goods that are grown on the queens lands!!

  • Heather December 7, 2009, 4:51 pm

    I’ve never been to London, but obviously the best thing about it is Stella Artois tall boys! Heck yeah! Can’t wait to see all the pics from this trip 🙂

  • Lee December 7, 2009, 4:52 pm

    I spent a semester in London and loved it! You know what’s really cool? The London Transport Museum gift shop. They have a lot of really cool tube stuff. I bought a ton of old fashioned postcards and actually have a huge tube map up on the wall.

  • Mary December 7, 2009, 4:52 pm

    I’m actually studying abroad in London starting January… reading this post got me even more excited to go! Have a great trip, it sounds like so much fun!

  • aimee December 7, 2009, 4:53 pm

    When I spent a year studying at Oxford, I went some friends to G A Y ;). Your pictures made me recall some great times. Besides spending a year there, I vacationed in england 3 other times. I can’t wait until you go and share your trip on the blog!

  • Alisha December 7, 2009, 4:53 pm

    I am so excited for you! Back-packing it threw Europe has always been a dream of mine, but if there was one place on earth I want to visit before I die, haha, is Greece. I’ve been dreaming about Greece since I was a little girl and watched “Shirley Valentine” for the first time – mind you my life turned out a little better than hers, but I would still kill to have a Shirley Valentine moment – sit and watch a sunset and drink a bottle of wine and then jump off of a boat naked with a gorgeous man, haha.
    Please be sure to do a little learning on your trip, like visit a museum or an art gallery (ie. the British Museum and see the Elgin Marbles, I would die!!!).
    Congrats on your soon to be 1 year! I married my high school sweet heart, we met when we were 15 and 16 and got married when 20 and 21 – 3 years baby. Married life is so much fun 🙂

    • caitlin December 7, 2009, 4:59 pm

      i promise i will do at least one educational thing on my vacation!

  • Nicci December 7, 2009, 4:55 pm

    So true, I like to pick up a british tabloid at B&N everyonce in awhile. Your trip is sure to be fun!!

  • Erin December 7, 2009, 4:57 pm

    You can’t drink on the Tube anymore!! 🙁 The rules were just changed!

    London is an amazing city — I lived there for 4 months and loved every minute. Looking for ways to move back but until then, I’m just living vicariously through everyone else’s experiences there. There are so many beautiful sights in England and lots of adorable small towns worth stopping in, even if it’s just to grab a drink at a pub. I can’t get over going into some of these pubs that are from 1400!

  • Katie December 7, 2009, 5:05 pm

    I loved London!

    Check out my blog for –
    Music
    Food
    Fitness
    new GIVEAWAY

    http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/

  • rungirlrunn December 7, 2009, 5:05 pm

    Your trip looks like it’s going to be so exciting! The only “big city” I’ve ever visited is NYC- I loved it of course, and I tried to cram in absolutely everything 😉

  • Evan Thomas December 7, 2009, 5:05 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go to London. I’ve gotten so obsessed with BBC Radio 1 podcasts 2 summers ago. And I’m just getting into indian food so it’d be such a blast to taste authentic(or closer to authentic) flavors.

  • Nicky December 7, 2009, 5:08 pm

    Yup, no alcohol on the underground anymore! And yes Jordan & Katie Price are one and the same 😉 Dover is interesting and very historic, but is a fair old trek from London, but I guess it’s worth a visit! Dover Castle is interesting, as are the WW2 hideouts within the cliffs. And the cliffs are lovely but you only really get the effect if it’s a bright sunny day, so cross your fingers! If you’ve done Soho for a bar crawl, try Clerkenwell or Islington? And you have to go to Brick Lane for your indian food! N

  • allijag December 7, 2009, 5:09 pm

    Is it too late to trade vacations???? You can SAY you went to Mexico – and then Mike and I can just go to England for you. That’s cool, right? 😛

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 7, 2009, 5:09 pm

    i LOOOOOVE London! I cannot wait to read all about it!!

  • Nicky December 7, 2009, 5:09 pm

    Oh I meant to say, most of our museums and galleries are free, so you’ve no excuses! N

  • Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) December 7, 2009, 5:12 pm

    I’ve never been to London, but I hope to someday. I studied abroad in Florence – heaven for an art history major…. My favorite thing about taking a trip is the hotel breakfast!

  • Brittany December 7, 2009, 5:14 pm

    I’ve been a follower and big fan of your blog for a long time now but haven’t commented before. I had to on this one though! I grew up a military kid so I actually went to high school about an hour and a half north of London and I have almost the exact same pictures as all the ones you posted. I miss it so much! You are going to have so much fun…jealous!!!
    Oh and England does have the most AMAZING Indian food. Good Chinese too, much better than here in the states I think!

  • Allie December 7, 2009, 5:14 pm

    I visited London when my bf (now my husband) was studying abroad there in college. Such a cool city! My favorite city is probably Chicago, though. I just moved to Los Angeles a few months ago, and I miss Chicago so much! The weather here is fantastic, though. If I could combine those 2 things, that would be the best city ever.

  • Louise December 7, 2009, 5:16 pm

    Agree about the Indian food! In Manchester (up north!) they have “curry mile” which is a long road full of Indian restaurants! You can definitely still have fish and chips though – I am a vegetarian too and have chips on their own or chips and mushy peas yum! Make sure you put lots of salt and vinegar on too!

    Have a brilliant time – it’s so interesting to hear what others say about your own country!

  • BethT December 7, 2009, 5:19 pm

    I did a study abroad in London and LOVED.IT. I would move there in a heartbeat.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE London.

  • Kath December 7, 2009, 5:20 pm

    I’ve been to Bath! It was fun 🙂

    And if you have the chance to go to WHITBY – oh my gosh – so gorgeous!! Its on the East Coast and has a fabulous 7 mile hike along the cliffs that might be a little cold for January, but was one of the best adventures of my life!

  • Kiki (Run Kiki Run) December 7, 2009, 5:21 pm

    Hey
    Sorry to kill point number 4 but you cant drink alcohol or in fact have any open alcohol containers on the tube anymore. it was banned a while back…. Again sorry!! 🙁 xx

    • caitlin December 7, 2009, 5:21 pm

      soooooooooooooo depressing.

  • Melissa S. December 7, 2009, 5:23 pm

    I was only in london for three days when i was 12 but it was freak’n awesome. i want to go back there now because there is so much more i can do and see!!!

    everything looks awesome that you’re going to do! i totally have a mind the gap shirt too…:)

  • Eliza December 7, 2009, 5:25 pm

    London is great, I did Europe with my parents when I was younger, and London was one of our favourites. We said “mind the gap” in a pommy voice to each other for years!
    Make sure you go to Sainsburys. It’s just a supermarket but I found it quite exciting and I am sure you will too (or maybe I’m just weird?)

  • Rachel December 7, 2009, 5:26 pm

    ah I can’t believe you’re going to visit Bath! I’m from a little town near there! and went to college there. It’ll be so strange seeing your photos of you in a place that I know!; you’re like a little American celebrity to me lol. Hope you have a great time here in England!

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad December 7, 2009, 5:26 pm

    My absolute favorite city that I have visited is Paris. I’ve never been to England. I’d love to go to Bath and pretend I’m in a Jane Austen novel!

  • Orla December 7, 2009, 5:33 pm

    The tabloids on this side of the pond are BRILLIANT. I couldn’t get over how nicey-nicey most of the US tabloids were when I started reading them – British ones are so much meaner and funnier!

    When you’re in London, you mustmustmust go to Hummingbird Bakery in Kensington. The cupcakes are out of this world 😀

    Oh and if you’re going to do any shopping and you’re a fan of the Forever 21 type of super affordable yet stylish clothes, you have to hit up Primark. And occasionally New Look 🙂 And don’t forget Topshop!!

    • jenny December 8, 2009, 10:37 am

      *gasp* Hummingbird Bakery is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I have yet to find a place other than Magnolia in NYC that can compare! I second that recommendation. 🙂

      London was just amazing. I cannot wait to go back. I’d move there in a heartbeat!

  • Kristie Lynn December 7, 2009, 5:34 pm

    I’m excited to travel to England through this blog 😉

    I’ve only really lived in one big city, but I did love it! Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s definitely not a city you can visit without planning ahead and being careful, but it is SO awesome! And so different from US cities! Hoping I can get to Europe someday though.

    Also, that picture of you and Kristien when you were 22 is so adorable! You just glow!

  • Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar December 7, 2009, 5:43 pm

    I went to London on a school field trip when I was 14… but honestly, I don’t remember much about it except the “ketchup” at the restaurants… It’s like tomato paste! Hahhahaha.

  • Leah @ L4L December 7, 2009, 5:44 pm

    I lived in England for 4 years. It was wonderful. Love London! England does have good Indian food… but not as good as India. 😉

    My favorite country that I have lived in was Germany. I can’t decide on a favorite that I have visited. There are so many wonderful and different things about each and every one! I am fortunate enough to be a world traveller already at the ripe old age of 24. 😉

  • Susan December 7, 2009, 5:44 pm

    My ‘rents took me to England when I was a kiddie. I loved the “mind the gap” lady too! She made me giggle.

  • Kate December 7, 2009, 5:45 pm

    I am going to London on Christmas day! Exciting 🙂

  • Sam (Merit to the Carrot) December 7, 2009, 5:50 pm

    I LOVE London. Such an incredible city. I was there around Christmas time a few years ago… it was so festive and beautiful! The Indian food is a HUGE bonus.
    Bath is pretty awesome, too!
    You are going to have an amazing time.

  • kilax December 7, 2009, 6:00 pm

    I love love LOVE London! You are going to have a great time 🙂

  • alyssa December 7, 2009, 6:01 pm

    and you have an awesome new camera!!!

  • Harriet December 7, 2009, 6:03 pm

    As an englander i can say it’s all about the trashy tabloids 😉
    London & Bath are both amazing, you’ll have a great time!

    (but no beer on the tube 🙁 )

  • Cheryle December 7, 2009, 6:13 pm

    Oh I am SO JEALOUS of your upcoming trip to London and will be eagerly anticipating your posts from there. My husband and I have been to London three times (2003, 2004, and 2006) and I would LOVE to live there, if only for a few months. We are also both completely obsessed with the Tube, and it sounds like you might be too. Definitely check out this blog, which is the best I’ve found on the subject:

    http://london-underground.blogspot.com/

    An absolute must read for those who love (or love to hate) the Tube. I even bought the blog author’s book, “One Stop Short of Barking”. It’s a great read.

    I also second the reco for the Transport Museum, it’s really interesting if you are a Tube geek and they have a nice gift shop!

    Finally, if you’re interested, I blogged about our 2006 trip to London:

    http://notimeforblogging.com/2007/08/23/2006-europe-trip-report-paris-london-amsterdam.aspx

    You can find the London posts in between Paris and Amsterdam. Check out the post on Hampstead Heath, which would be a delightful place to run! 🙂

    Other great large cities I love to visit:

    San Francisco
    Seattle
    Paris
    Stockholm
    Barcelona
    Amsterdam
    Venice (not large, but WOW)

    Have a GREAT time!

    Cheryle

  • Sam December 7, 2009, 6:19 pm

    Hehe, yes Katie Price and Jordan are the same person! I live just outside London so if you have any questions or need any advice feel free to email me!

  • Nicole Mullins December 7, 2009, 6:20 pm

    I haven’t been to London, but I want to after reading the books Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin. I actually haven’t left the country- yet. I’ve been all over the U.S. though!!! Anyways, I love, love, love Indian food so there’s reason number 57 why I have to go, lol. 🙂

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) December 7, 2009, 6:20 pm

    ooooh you are going to have a fantastic time. We visited Bath when were travelled to the UK and it was so stunning. I am super jealous that you guys are staying there for a few days!!

  • Allison December 7, 2009, 6:22 pm

    Worst news ever – you can’t drink on the tube anymore!! I lived in London last summer while I was doing an internship, and there was a huge “Tube Party” the night before the new law went into effect. The cars were PACKED with drunk people – they even closed down a few lines! I’m legitimately obsessed with the Tube system, and London as a whole. So jealous you’ll be going back – I can’t wait to see all the pictures!

  • Jenna December 7, 2009, 6:24 pm

    i have never been to london although i would LOVE to!
    jenna

  • Ally December 7, 2009, 6:27 pm

    I adore London. Adore. I went with my dad and stepmom when I was little and loved it then–and last year, I got to be the luckiest girl ever and I got to go for 3 days on a work trip. I went by myself (well, and met a fellow employee there) and had so much fun. It was the best time I had all year. I loved it. Of course, I wish my husband had been with me, but I was really surprised at how much fun I did have on my own, and also how easy it was to get around–again, on my own. So much fun! Have a wonderful time.

  • Kirsten December 7, 2009, 6:29 pm

    I love London! I miss it whenever I haven’t been for a while. Indian food is so much better on that side of the pond 🙂

  • Freya December 7, 2009, 6:32 pm

    My sister lives in London and I only live 1.5hrs on the train away! You must visit Topshop 😀 and there are the best restaurants in London! and awesome markets – you’ll have such a good time!

  • Jessica December 7, 2009, 6:33 pm

    OK…my tofu turned to mush….what happened????

  • Foy December 7, 2009, 6:38 pm

    Loved England, Londen has the best Thrift stores. I forget what they call them, but it’s not thrift or goodwill. They have the best clothes and their second hand shops are full of them.

    You make me want to go back! Ah, maybe some day.

  • Susana December 7, 2009, 6:42 pm

    Ohh yes, I went there back in December ´98. Loved it!! Want to go back again so bad….. My favourite spot was Big Ben, and Mme Tussauds Wax Museum.

  • Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries December 7, 2009, 6:44 pm

    Wow, I had no idea England had great Indian… All of my friends who studied there in college detested the food options. If only they’d known..

  • Hannah December 7, 2009, 6:44 pm

    CAITLIN! OPERATION BEAUTIFUL IS ON FITSUGAR.COM!! CHECK IT OUT!!

  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale December 7, 2009, 6:53 pm

    I absolutely love London. I spent a lot of time there when I was studying abroad in Scotland (at the U. of St. Andrews, at the same time as Prince William, no less!) It’s fab city… and you’re right about the curry being top-notch!

    My all-time favorite city to visit though is Sydney, where I grew up. Love it like nothing else. (Plus, they also say funny things in Australia!)

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances December 7, 2009, 7:01 pm

    Operation Beautiful is featured on fitsugar.com today! How cool!!! Here’s the link: http://www.fitsugar.com/5988826

    Congrats, Caitlin! 🙂

    • Jessica @ Jessica Balances December 7, 2009, 7:04 pm

      Whoops… I just saw that you’ve commented on the story so I guess you already know, huh? haha

  • Heather December 7, 2009, 7:05 pm

    I went to London in 2005 and would love to go back again! We went to both Bath and the Cliffs of Dover and had a great time.

    I also went to Dublin and would love to go back there – another great city.

  • Cindy December 7, 2009, 7:11 pm

    I’ve never been anywhere really and the one place I have wanted to go since I was 9 is London. I really hope I can one day soon come up with the money to go. I was supposed to go last spring, but I didn’t get enough money back on my taxes. I was so disappointed. I hope you have a great time and I can’t wait to see your pictures!

  • Amy December 7, 2009, 7:14 pm

    This post made me miss living in England! I loved it there. If you have the chance to see a second show, I highly recommend Wicked. It is by far my all time favorite. You’re right, the Indian food is awesome! Also, I’m pretty sure it will be a pub crawl. 😉

  • jodie December 7, 2009, 7:15 pm

    Never been to England but visited Paris last year and just loved it.

  • Karla December 7, 2009, 7:17 pm

    Your vacation sounds amazing! I would be all over the British tabloid magazines!

    I went to Bath on my birthday about 6 years ago 🙂

  • Ali December 7, 2009, 7:20 pm

    I went to Ireland in May and I want to go back NOW. I want to live there. I really feel as though Europeans have it straight- I love their outlook on life, how their media doesn’t inlfuence as much as ours, and that all women seem comfy in their own skin. They own it!
    I want to go to London real real real bad- -but I will have to live vicariously through you for now. Have a great time Caitlin- you deserve it!

  • Carolyn December 7, 2009, 7:23 pm

    I love DC!! It’s so easy to get around on the metro! 🙂

  • Lisa December 7, 2009, 7:29 pm

    I am sooo jealous! I am an actress and studied in London for a semester! I fell in love with the city, and really hope to perform there someday. If you can see a show at the donmar warehouse or barbican theatre you will NOT be disappointed, but enjoy oliver!!! Also, on your bar crawl head over to covent garden, also has great vintage shopping! Ahhh, have fun!!!!!!

  • Melissa December 7, 2009, 7:36 pm

    I was in London in June and loved it. So pretty! I was with my family so we hit all of the main tourist attractions. I loved shopping at the “real” Top Shop.

    Also took a bus trip to Bath. The museum was really interesting. Make sure you sample water. It’s supposed to make you look youthful! Nicolas Cage has a house in Bath. I wish I could’ve spent more than a few hours there. I’m jealous!

  • skinnyrunner December 7, 2009, 7:39 pm

    ive been to england once but seeing your top ten list definitely makes me want to book a trip right now!! you are going to have a blast!!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 7, 2009, 7:44 pm

    I’ve never been out of the country – heck, I’ve barely been out of the state! I love the pic of you guys when you were younger. 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 7, 2009, 7:50 pm

    You’re going to have such an awesome time! I’ve been to London twice, and had a ball each time– although the second time was in August, and it was HOT AS BALLS.

    One of the things that I loved the most about London was Top Shop! But now we have one here in the US, so I guess it wouldn’t be quite as thrilling 🙂

    I also love, love, loved the Nottinghill flea market. Such awesome stuff there!

    That’s great that you’ll be seeing a show while we’re there. I saw Les Mis there for the first time– it was incredible.

    Now I wish I were going!!! 🙂

  • Kathleen December 7, 2009, 7:50 pm

    I’ve never been but I hope you have an amazing time! I’m so glad you’ll be blogging…it’s like I get to travel along with you! Please take tons of pics so I can pretend to experience it with you 🙂 I live in MN and always love going to Minneapolis since my grandpa and great-grandpa built most of downtown in the 60s through 80s…I am longing to get to Europe and South Korea, though!

  • maria December 7, 2009, 8:03 pm

    I’ve never been to anywhere besides Japan. I am super excited to go sometime! 😀

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 7, 2009, 8:07 pm

    I have never been anywhere outside of North America … but I want to go to Europe SO badly! I cannot wait to do some major traveling.

  • Mallory December 7, 2009, 8:20 pm

    whoa whoa whoa. what do you mean Ms. Mind the Gap is no more?!?! i should probably go back to uh.. you know.. check on that situation and stuff 🙂

    i LOVE london!
    i lived in scotland for 5 months (too short, i know) and absolutely love everything about the UK – especially the indian food!

  • Leah December 7, 2009, 8:21 pm

    I love England! We went at the beginning of the year (did a 4 month trip around Europe) and London was fantastic. Also went to Bath which is fabulous. You’ll have such a great time, I’m jealous!

  • Katie (Sweet Tater) December 7, 2009, 8:23 pm

    ooh girl, you forgot chocolate. all chocolate not from america is superior to our crap. but namely cadbury from london. mmmmm.

  • Kelly December 7, 2009, 8:36 pm

    I love London, I’ve been twice. I saw the Lion King too!
    I did not know you could drink beer on the tube. England is so much cooler than us!

  • Lauren December 7, 2009, 8:38 pm

    AWww, you are making me so jealous! I LOVED London. Don’t you just love the phone booths and how they are covered in trashy porno ads? LoL. Okay, that wasn’t my favorite part. My favorite was The Globe, mainly because I was an English Lit Major and HUGE Shakespare buff. But the London Eye was also quite remarkable. Oh, how I adore London. You are so lucky! 😉

    Enjoy the planning. I bet you are getting so pumped.

  • The Healthy Hostess December 7, 2009, 8:38 pm

    I love London! I was there a few years ago and can’t wait to go back! I loved the market and Windsor Palace and the fun little pubs!
    Yay for traveling! You can’t do that very easily with a baby so live it up! 🙂

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City) December 7, 2009, 8:41 pm

    Hmm… my favorite Big City is the one I live in NYC. 😉

  • Whit December 7, 2009, 8:42 pm

    I’m excited to live vicariously through you while you are in London!

    I cannot believe how TAN you were in that first picture.

  • Kristina December 7, 2009, 8:53 pm

    I’m SO excited to read about your trip b/c I miss the UK so much! Last time I was there was over Christmas 2006. If you love curry, then you guys need to take a train up to Manchester to the CURRY MILE (!!!!) in Rusholme. The smell is amazing just walking around! So many wonderful restaurants to choose from along with checking out all the gaudy jewelry shops. Though some of the best curry I’ve every had was at the Kebab Mahal in Edinburgh. Yummy!!

  • FatFitnessFood December 7, 2009, 8:56 pm

    Since I’m Irish I have been to London many times. In fact, I have already been there 3 times this year! It is very close to Ireland. The best time was in October of this year with the husband. One thing we did this time was go to Boxwood Cafe-a Gordan Ramsey restaurant. I totally recommend it!

    Have fun, can’t wait to see what you get up to.

  • dorothy December 7, 2009, 9:08 pm

    i lovedd england when i went! im not sure why exactly but i think i just like the idea of visting new places and seeing other cultures. sounds like a lame excuse but it makes me happy! hehe

    ive never eaten their indian food though, shoot. or been to Bath! more of a reason to look forward to your recap!! 😉 you deserve it with all the hard work youve been doing lately!

  • Julie December 7, 2009, 9:10 pm

    I love that picture of you and Kristien, you two looks so cute.

    I am SO SO SUPER JEALOUS OF YOU. I love London, and as God as my witness, I will go back someday in this lifetime. I can’t wait to read all your posts while you’re there!!

  • Erin December 7, 2009, 9:18 pm

    Gah, I’m so jealous!! My aunt took my sister to England and Paris after my sister’s high school graduation. She said it was amazing! And I am in no way, shape, or form still bitter about that. (I was in college. That was the excuse.)

  • Jenny December 7, 2009, 9:37 pm

    Munich!! its so gorgeous and has so much culture. and awesome beer gardens!

  • Good Taste. Healthy Me December 7, 2009, 9:44 pm

    I’m so jealous! You’re going to have an absolute blast!

  • Tay December 7, 2009, 9:57 pm

    I love England!! Baths was sooo pretty. So luck to be staying there! 🙂 I ran while there, but unfortunately did not get to bar crawl OR try Indian food!! Bummer! Will be on my list for next time 😉

  • Sammi December 7, 2009, 10:52 pm

    I’ve never been to England but it’s somewhere that I would really like to go! It’s so hard for me to pick a favorite since I’ve traveled so much through my life. Favorites: Italy! basically anywhere there. Sorrento was amazing and I think it’s impossible to get tired of Rome. Germany is another major one. As for places in our country, Breckenridge! We used to go there every year for skiing. Bets slopes ever!

  • Brooke December 7, 2009, 11:19 pm

    SOOOO fun!!!! I am excited to read about your trip, channa masala, PUB CRAWLing, running through London and seeing British dimepieces, and pictures of your attractive brother-in-law who is 21 and just so enthralling.

  • Anna December 8, 2009, 12:50 am

    Ahh… the Indian food in London… for sure! Can’t get anything like it here (at least in my town). I loved my time in London – Regents park during the summer is great to just hang out in and people watch, the library, the churches… oh, the buildings, the history that we just don’t have (that those of us on the west coast really don’t have). Ah… I hope you have a wonderful trip and get to enjoy everything to the fullest!

  • England Enthusiast December 8, 2009, 3:50 am

    Ah, I LOVE Bath, and England in general!

    When my family took a trip to England and Scotland, I swam at each of the community pools in the places we visited (I’m a swimmer), which was SO fun and gave me a more authentic look at the locals/area.

    I am sure your sched is full already, but if you get a chance to go slightly further off the beaten path, Bradford on Avon is GORGEOUS (I’m sure your husband knows this already!)

    On a random triathlon note, I’ve been meaning to say since seeing that you’re contemplating giving the tri another go, that YOU inspired ME to do my aquabike race and you can def. do this! Go fo it!

    • caitlin December 8, 2009, 8:03 am

      good luck on your aquabike! too bad i cant do the run portion for you and we could make a triathlon team!

  • Suzanne December 8, 2009, 4:27 am

    I live in the very centre of England! I highly recommend visiting Brighton, it’s such a super cool place with great shops. Also, if you can head for the beautiful English countryside, take a walk but don’t forget your wellies!

  • Sue December 8, 2009, 4:59 am

    I am excited the other way round – I live near London, and CAN’T WAIT until Easter when I will be spending two weeks in Orlando!! The other side of the fence and all that… 🙂 x

  • Sue December 8, 2009, 4:59 am

    Oh and I agree with Suzanne, you must visit Brighton. Such a cool place!

  • Caroline December 8, 2009, 6:25 am

    You are making me completely green! Three years ago my family and close friends spent Christmas in England and it was the best time of my life (would have been better had my at the time fiance gone!). Three days in London, two and a half in the Cotswolds (Christmas) and a day and a half in Bath. Seriously, so jealous! Lucky girl to have a married a Brit 🙂

  • Madison December 8, 2009, 7:26 am

    Ahhhh, I am obsessed with the “mind the gap” voice as well! Hubs and I will randomly break out our best British accents and say that phrase on repeat.

    “Please mind the gap”. Best EVER!

  • Emily December 8, 2009, 7:38 am

    I concur re. The Indian food- we do have some fine Indian friends here 🙂 I did get a giggle outof your 1 & 2, but no doubt you would giggle at my Florida list too 😉

  • Jessica December 8, 2009, 7:40 am

    I studied abroad in London a few summers ago and it was awesome! I loved wandering around the city, checking out all the museums, nightlife, and fabulous indian food! You MUST go to tate modern (if you haven’t already)- great museum!!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat December 8, 2009, 8:37 am

    I’ve wanted to go there for a long time but once you said best Indian food, I have got to move that up on the list!

    My favorite cities to visit are Chicago and New York 🙂 I wish I lived in one of them, maybe someday.

  • Juli D. December 8, 2009, 8:38 am

    I lived in London for a summer while I worked in a primary school there. I fell in love with the place and can’t wait to go back someday. Top of my list London Love List would be British Speak and British Accents though. 🙂

  • Bridget December 8, 2009, 9:49 am

    Enjoy your trip!! The Indian food is amazing! The foreign food in general excited me beyond belief!!

    Went to London this summer and absolutely loved it! Love cities in general, but I am especially in love with Tokyo. Learning how to get around (in Japanese) and learning the nooks and crannies and things off the beaten path is a great feeling. It has so much to offer and so much to do. NYC and San Francisco are up there on favorite cities, too, and Bangkok was also really awesome.

  • RhodeyGirl December 8, 2009, 10:10 am

    I’m so excited for you Caitlin!

  • Kristen December 8, 2009, 10:55 am

    I love that your number one is the british tabloids 🙂 So far my favourite “big” city to visit has been Paris but Barcelona is a close second. I think if I had spent more time there, it would have moved tot the top. Although if I had to live in a city I’ve visited, I might chose San Francisco.

    Have a great trip! I’m jealous of all the curry you’ll be eating.

  • Nicole December 8, 2009, 11:07 am

    I want to go to London! I haven’t traveled too much. I really enjoyed Portland, which is the farthest I’ve been. I also love Montreal!

  • Madeleine December 8, 2009, 1:31 pm

    Hello! Long-time reader, first time commenter here. (Classic line, that)

    I am a britishyperson from the fair land of Eng, and I sadly must inform you that drinking on the tube has been banned, so no more beers upon her sticky, carpet-covered seats!
    It feels so strange to see your excitements about the UK, especially as all of it seems so natural to me! I do recommend you drink our tea, eat our marmite, and enjoy our train stations and book shops – I have to say, the ‘quaint, cosy thang’ is what we do best. That and queueing.
    Have a fab time! 🙂

  • kelly December 8, 2009, 3:24 pm

    Caitlin, just curious–how did you and your husband meet? If he is from London and you are here? I assume school…

    • caitlin December 8, 2009, 4:27 pm

      we met through mutual friends in college. he moved to the USA when he was 16 🙂

  • Bing December 8, 2009, 4:25 pm

    I just came back from London last week!! Wish I was still there. You must go to the Borough Market (right off the London Bridge underground stop). I could have spent an entire day there, it is large! You can have your fill of cheese samples!!! Be sure to stop by the Neal’s Yard Dairy store nearby and stand in awe of all the wheels and truckles of cheese.

  • susan December 8, 2009, 8:17 pm

    so i mean this in the least creepy way possible… but i’m SO jealous of you right now!!
    funny you should ask this question b/c LONDON is my FAVORITE city!!!!!!!!!! hands down! no questions asked!
    studied there in college… of all the places i’ve traveled it’s the one i’m most dying to return to… i miss it all the time… i watch crappy movies just b/c they take place in london… and love actually is my favorite holiday movie… i bet you can guess why 😉

    *sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*

  • Becka @Studio222 Photography December 9, 2009, 5:04 pm

    I adored bath when I went! There’s a dark bubbling spring down inside somewhere that I stumbled upon. The water was really warm naturally and they let you put your hands in to feel it. I was seriously daydreaming about Roman royalty the whole time.

    I really loved London when I was there but Paris may be my favorite big city to visit. I just love it. Italy is my favorite country to visit though while I”m there I like to avoid the big cities and stay in the more rustic small ones like Salerno, where Nate and I are getting married this upcoming October!

  • Vee December 16, 2009, 1:37 pm

    Whoohoo! Can’t wait to read more about your trip. I live in London so I’m really curious to read about your holiday adventures! BTW hubby and I are also planning visiting Dover over the Christmas period 🙂 – the coast is so pretty during winter! Also: the odds are quite high that there will be white Christmas over here. Fingers crossed!

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