Hello readers! This post is long overdue. This marks the last post in my "Tales from the Jet Set" series. After half a year of bouncing around Europe, I returned home to my beloved Maryland on May 19th just in time for a summer of crab feasts, beach trips, and boat rides. However, I managed to get one more trip in before returning to the US, and that is to the former capital of the world: London, England.
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Rogano's Oyster Bar
A few days before my trip to Malaga, I drove over to Glasgow with my flatmates Seth and Niamh. I haven't featured Glasgow on the blog yet, which is a shame considering the number of times I have been there. While our initial plan was to meet Seth's visiting family for a pizza dinner at a local brewery, we ended up somewhere else afterwards. Walking around Glasgow's main shopping area, we stumbled upon Rogano's Oyster Bar. Niamh had been before with her family, and recommended we give it a try. Proudly being from the self proclaimed seafood capital of the world, I was initially skeptical of going to a Scottish oyster bar. However, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise when we went in!
Located in Glasgow's city centre, Rogano's would have fit in just as well in New York City or Baltimore!
As I entered, I was greeted to what appeared to be the set of a 1930s period drama. Big band over the radio, check. Waiters and bartenders in black tie, check. Ashtrays, check. Art deco design, also check! Even though we had just eaten pizza and indulged in locally brewed IPAs, we decided to stop for at least one drink. However, we ended up ordering seafood as well, being a massive pot of steamed mussels in cream sauce.
Rogano's dates back to 1935. While there have been renovations to help maintain the bar, the layout has been left the same since its establishment.
A bar set-up rivaled only by Harry's in Venice.
While an Old Fashioned was on the menu, Seth and I both got Martinis while the ladies present all got Cosmopolitans. The bar had several variations of the drink, a gin version, a vodka one, and James Bond's famous Vesper Martini. However, being in the UK and at a 1930s era establishment, we both went for stirred gin Martinis.
We initially planned to return to Rogano's the weekend of the 11th, but unfortunately these plans fell through. However, I am glad I got to experience a bar like this in the UK at least once! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for one in London!
London
May 13th
I flew out of Edinburgh around 6 in the evening and arrived in London around 8. Getting to my AirBnb wasn't easy, as I had little preparation for the London Underground and didn't have a way to contact my host. However, I eventually managed to reach my destination. May 14th
After doing some research, I discovered the train station near my rental had a line that would take me into Central London. The total train journey was a total of 20 minutes on the Jubilee Line, dropping me at Waterloo Station near the London Eye. This put me in walking distance of most of the city's highlights.
At 30 Pounds per ride, I preferred enjoying London Eye from an on-ground perspective.
Next to London Eye was a bridge that led across the Thames. I then followed a street that led me directly into Trafalgar Square.
Like any cosmopolitan city, London also had a Chinatown.
Not far from Chinatown was Piccadilly Circus
After having the first Chipotle meal in months, I made my way from Piccadilly to Carnaby Street, the fashion hub of 1960s Swinging London.
While the 60s are now behind us, Carnaby still remains an attraction for tourists and Londoners alike.
Barbour's Carnaby Street location. While still being expensive due to outfitting the British upper class, the coats were slightly cheaper than in America. It was here that I was advised yet again to send my Bedale in for waxing rather than DIY.
Another brand I discovered in the UK was Jack Wills. Essentially a British Vineyard Vines, the company markets itself as the "outfitter of the gentry". I had been to their Glasgow location as well, and managed to snag a sole sweater from a shop in Stirling. While relatively unheard of in the US, the brand has several stores over here, all in New England.
Jack Wills offers the same options as J. Crew or Vineyard Vines, plus a logo of a cane wielding, top hat wearing pheasant. What could be more Anglo than that?
The London Jack Wills also happened to have a fully stocked bar and cafe downstairs.
I then made my way from Carnaby Street to Buckingham Palace, cutting through Green Park on the way. It just so happened that Her Majesty happened to be home too!
After seeing Buckingham Palace, I headed to nearby Hyde Park. This is the park's lake, the Serpentine.
Passed the Salisbury Buffet on my way back to Waterloo Station.
May 15th
Today I planned to visit Harrods department store. For those who don't know, Harrods is a world class department store and probably the most famous in London. It also happens to enforce a dress code for its customers, and has gone as far to expel celebrity patrons who failed to follow it. I took the Jubilee Line to Green Park Station, and then transferred to the Piccadilly Line which took me right down the street from Harrods.
The green topped and domed building you see is Harrods. The store is now owned by the state of Qatar, but it still provides a thoroughly British experience to its customers.
I have been to many massive department stores in the US, but Harrods was by far more magnificent than them all. Featuring everything from fresh food to home decor, Harrods occupies a total of five acres and is by far the largest department store in Europe.
Any major British department store would be incomplete with a Barbour display.
The Beretta section of Harrods sportswear department felt like it was out of another time.
Harrods also offered the largest selection of critter ties I had ever seen. Primarily from Beretta (pictured) and Hermes. Vineyard Vines can suck it!
It was after leaving Harrods that I stepped into a nightmare. My ATM card was rejected by a restaurant. While this was not the first time this had happened, I tried it on several machines, but received the same message. I then called my bank back in the states to find out my card had been compromised by someone in Ohio, and that the bank had put my account on lockdown. The rest of my London trip would be put on credit card. I then met my old friend Spencer from classes at William & Mary for drinks in London's legal district. He is currently studying politics at University College London. It was good catching up after almost three years!
It wouldn't be a trip to London without at least one pic of Big Ben! Unfortunately, both the clock and the houses of Parliament as a whole were under construction.
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And now I am back in the States! Europe was amazing, but I'll always be a good ol' Maryland boy at heart. However, I don't think my first time in the Old Country will be my last. But until then, that will be all for Europe related posts! Hope you enjoyed!
