October 21, 2013 - Written by: Yazmin Joy

8 Reasons I Love London

… And I was back in the city meandering unfamiliar streets.

Earlier this year I spent roughly 6 months in a windowless room in a dodgy part of West London desperately trying not to be mugged (again). After a Summer spent back home in Cornwall I was back, this time residing in North London.

My earlier experience got me pondering: If I could survive without sunlight or fresh air and not do too badly IMAGINE what I could I achieve with a window!? Damnit I feel invincible!

Hello London my grimey friend!

As I walked the North London streets I felt like I was in an 80’s Woody Allan movie like Husbands and Wives or something (just replace Manhattan for Turnpike Lane)… oh and that I’m not married to Sydney Pollack… or in my 40s…

As I stroll, I imagine this is a movie montage. What would the soundtrack be? Most definitely be some some jazzy wheezy saxophone music.

In fact, maybe you should play Sidney Bechet’s soundtrack to Midnight in Paris while you read this to get you in the mood…

Being a bit of a country bumpkin I’ve got to confess: London gives me a buzz! The style, the energy, the pace. The cockney stall geezers yelling ‘apples and pears, APPLES AND PEARS! Move out the fucking way love’ – so kitch. I smile to myself. And don’t forget the local ‘youths’ with their trousers hanging off their arses as they score weed round my local corner – how authentically gangster!

Here are my top 8 Reasons I love the City…

1) Shops are open late.

Blows. My. Mind. I can go shopping after work?! Seriously?! In the country-side the shops close at 5.30 prompt. Except on Wednesdays during Christmas time when there’s late night shopping. Often, if I am working in the city I like to relax by looking at things I can’t afford and trying on hats in Oxford Street’s Topshop.

2) The London Underground.

Hot, sticky, dirty… it’s kind of sexy! Hearing my heels clickity-click down the tunnels. Wind – an incoming train – whurling my hair up into a frenzy, creating a glamourous va va voom effect! Marilyn Monroe eat your heart out! I’m a bonafide city girl now.

3) You can do things on your own without looking like a freak.

“Not all who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkien.

In fact solo activities are just more cultured in the city. I love taking a trip a museum, catching a flick or going for a walk in the park on my billy. Welcome to cosmo-living. I generally always end up talking to the other wanderers who have no friends or are involved in the arts. If you want to be really avant-garde you can go and listen to jazz and drink coffee. Very cultured. I recommend Ray’s Jazz Café on Charing Cross Road. (They also have high speed internet.)

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4) Nandos.

Don’t. Judge. Me.

‘My new place has every thing my heart could desire’ I gushed to a friend. ‘I mean, there’s a Nando’s walking distance from my house! Do you know what this means!?’

I would say I actively think about eating Nandos once every 2 days. Is that normal? Who knew that slow-cooked Portuguese chicken could taste SO good? I’ll have mine with creamy mash and corn. You see, I’d never had Nando’s before I moved to the city. Don’t get me wrong I know Nando’s does exist in places other than London. But I generally associate the chain with the city.

Most of my friends don’t get it, but I can’t get enough. Sorry. I know it’s lame. But if Nando’s sold a t-shirt I would probably buy it.

It is, however, worth mentioning, your quality of Nando’s does depend which branch you go to. AND if you get a booth. Booths are the BEST!

5) Window shopping.

Big, big, BIG glamorous window displays! It’s like art. Isn’t it like art? Liberties, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges… The central London streets become a giant aquarium where pedestrians can peer into new worlds. Knightsbridge has probably the most decadent displays of all – well worth the stroll.

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6) Discovering London’s hidden gems.

The city can seem so vacuous and vast when you first arrive. It can also be a lonely place when you don’t know anyone. But if you take the time to explore you will find warm corners of the city that you can make your own. Each area has a different flavour, a unique vibe. From scouring vintage gems in Brick Lane to catching a flick at the historic Cornet cinema in Notting Hill – yes the one that featured in Notting Hill the movie – tickets cost only £3.50 on Tuesdays! You can find always find beauty and joy in the city’s hidden haunts.

7) Free reading material.

Yes there’s Metro and the Evening Standard… but there is also Shortlist, Stylist and Time Out. The press are lovingly keeping us up to date on current affairs, events and culture and all for free! There’s no excuse not to know what’s going on. Ohhh London. My favourite weekly magazine feature HAS to be the Word on the Street in Time Out.

(Image ‘Word on the Street’ via)

Cracks me up!

8) The Queen’s Birds.

If like me, you are accustomed to country living, you may find yourself craving a bit of wildlife. You might want to be in the presence of trees. I feel you. So why not go to one of London’s many regal parks and gaze at the queen’s birds? St. James’ Park is probably the best for birdwatching with a fascinating variety of special breeds with a backdrop that Walt Disney would be proud of. There are many spots around London (Hammersmith and Camden) where you can walk along the river and feel like you a miles from the carnage of city living.

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Since living on and off in London I have seen both sides of this city. The clean, refined Richard Curtis side and the dirty, poverty-stricken, violent side. In fact, as I write this there is a tramp going through my garbage. Seriously. His presence reminds me how tough it is to survive in the city, and also that he is probably going to pull out my old knickers and discard them in the street. Bollocks.

Maybe it’s because I grew up in the countryside? Maybe it’s because I am an optimist? Or maybe it’s because I am a hopeless romantic? Who cares. I love this town (most of the time).

What do you love about the city? Any tips to share?

Yes, city-living can be a hustle, but it can also be a dance. All you have to do is find your feet.

Have a great week peeps!