Hi, my name is Jonathan and I’m a travel addict. I want my passport tatted and ever since I boarded my first plane it’s like an itch… I’ve gotta scratch it (BARS!)
In all seriousness, I’ve always wanted a job that allowed me to travel internationally and lo and behold… I cracked the code. I had the privilege of traveling to London to meet with one of our cross-functional teams and we made a lot of work progress. Yay to that… You and I both know I’m not going to waste an entire trip to another country just working so here’s the finesse…
Flight costs the same leaving a day earlier and staying a day later. One night in a BnB on my dime and the rest of the trip was all expenses paid!
I’ll start from the beginning!
The flight was brazy. I have a smidge of status and I booked a business class ticket soooo Bumped to First (upper-class) like a boss! I love unexpected pluses lol. The stewardesses immediately ask if you want Champagne as you cross over into first. There are in-flight essentials provided courtesy of the Herschel Supply Company and what’s most important for me… LEG ROOM! The seats on all of my flights reclined into a flatbed, it may look shabby – Dammit Don we have to get you on these flights – but I’m telling you it was great being able to stretch out on a 10hr flight (#luxurious).
So The Wkender arrived in London Heathrow in all of his grandiose luxuries on Saturday. I refused to waste a day, even though jetlag is definitely a thing. I ran around and saw most of the major touristy stuff: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye to name a few and closed out the afternoon at Wok to Walk (if you know you know); noodles were fire. Dead tired, I made a liquor run and went back to the BnB.
I nap for an hour or two and prepare for the unthinkable, a night out in a foreign country by myself lol. Brief aside; I’m a super social person so its atypical for me to go out alone, but I also said I was not going to sit in this room and waste a perfectly good Saturday night. So the dolo pregame happened lol and then it was off to Tape London.
This club is for London’s elite, Shout to John the Dapper DJ for pointing me in the right direction! Music was on point, they played hits from around the world, people were beautiful and the drinks were flowing. I must say it was a little awkward at first because I was solo, but when they started playing hits I caught my vibe, girls thought I was security (accidentally wore a security outfit lol – ask me more in the comments) and all was right with the world. There was one distinct pivot in the night… A group of girls came to me and asked if they could go on stage and I said sure why not lol and then actual security came and angrily told them to get down, they pointed at me and said I told them they could… I simply made my IDKWTFGO face and said I don’t work here. Then a group of guys invited me into their section and we were lit the rest of the night lol. This Night set the tone for the rest of the trip; by day I worked my butt off… but at night I was lit! I hit The London Reign and Drama Park Lane on the same energy and each night ended up in somebody’s section (IDK how women do it all the time I was drunk AF). Anywho needless to say if you pay to play nightlife in London is Lit.
Ok more culture… My momma told me I can’t be ratchet my whole life. I actually really enjoy history, medieval architecture, and art. So I made it a priority to catch a few other pit stops along the way before I skipped town.
For all the modern art fans, the Tate Modern has a really dope standing collection and the exhibitions are even cooler. I saw Olafur Eliasson: In real life, Nam June Paik, and Hyundai Commission: Kara Walker all very different styles, very unique concepts, very engaging!
The Tower of London is massive and to be honest I didn’t get to see as much of it as I would have liked. If all else fails though, you have to go see the crown jewels. I HAVE NEVER SEENT THAT MANY PRECIOUS STONES!
There are so many other little things that are worth seeing and doing: Chinatown, Popbrixton, Harry Potter World (yes I’m a nerd). I literally have to go back and just explore, but Thanks for a wonderful intro London… I’ll be back soon!
To A Life Worth Living,
The Wkender