London, England: The Best Summer Vacation

Summer of '92

Since my father was in the Army, my family moved no less than every three years. It could be quite painful sometimes, especially after situating and meeting friends. Our move to R.A.F West Ruislip was a blessing in disguise, and allowed me one of the best summer vacations of my life. Technically, it wasn't a summer vacation, but there's nothing that has ever been able to touch it.

London, England

The summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school, I hit the streets of London, England almost every day. The city was jaw dropping, and held history that enamored me.

I spent days at The British Museum on Tottenham Court Road, and ate lunches on the steps of the The National Gallery. Hours were spent feeding the pigeons of Trafalgar Square, and it was glorious. Nothing more than sitting on a bench at Hyde Park would mystify me by the surrounding beauty.

Weekly, I hopped on the tube to make a trip to the Wembley Sunday Market. It was the largest flea market I have ever been to. There were tons of vendors, and the smell of fish & chips and spring rolls would fill my nostrils like perfume.

New Adventures

Each day of summer would lead to a new adventure in my favorite city. Movies at Queensway with friends were a regular occurrence, and strolling the shops in Ickenham village or Harrow-on-the-Hill were for leisure afternoons.

My love for the theatre grew during this time, and the theatre production posters at Leicester square were enticing. I took my dad to see Miss Saigon, and the experience is one that I think about often. There has never been another summer vacation that has meant so much.