Unemployed and (Slightly) Unhinged: On the Other Side of the Pond

Back to adventures in traveling while unemployed. This trip: London! I'll be posting in instalments as there was so much to see and do!

Last month, I escaped to London for two weeks. Yes, yes, I know - unemployment and international travel, not the most likely of companions. With a cheap airline ticket, a free place to say, and packing light (really light, upon entering US customs, I was asked where my luggage was, the agent did a double take.), it is possible. I spent less than $1,000 total on my trip. The cheap ticket and light packing do help, but the real hero of this trip was my friend Tanja and her boyfriend Ed, who offered me a free place to stay. Also there's loads of free things to see and do in London.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens:
FREE
Things to do and see:
On a nice day (I was spoiled on my trip - 65 degrees and sunny almost every single day in April) London has tons of free parks where people go to stroll and hang out. Hyde Park is located in the middle of the city (Tube stop: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner). Besides aimlessly strolling about around the Serpentine, check out the statues and memorials. Peter Pan, Queen Victoria, Marble Arch are dotted around the landscape. The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is along the edge of the park, visitors are encouraged to interact and wade in the water. It's a bit chilly to wade in on the average day, but fun. Speakers Corner is also located in the park and is well worth stopping by on a Sunday when people are welcome to share their opinions on just about anything - it's where we get the term "soapbox" although people bring a number of other things to stand on including stepladders, platforms, and chairs.

There are somethings you can pay to do - bright stripped chairs are available "for hire." A pound or two will get you a hour or so to sit and people watch. Boats of various type are also available for rent. And if it's hot (ex. above 60 degrees) you might want to consider getting an ice cream as you wander around.

One of the park entrances

A swan in the Serpentine, property of the Queen!

Hampstead Heath

FREE

Things to do and see:

The Heath (Tube Station: Hampstead, Golders Green) is located just out of Zone 2 on the London Underground - which might not make any sense to some of you - so if you have an Oyster Card with the basic zone 1 and 2, you'll have to add a little to get out there. I didn't and exited in Archway, really silly. I got lost several times on my way there. By the time I reached the Heath, I was exhausted and needed a break.

But once you get there, it's well worth it. The green space (it's not a park, it's a green space according to those in the know) offers some fantastic views of the city. You can wander for hours with rolling hills and woodlands around you. In the lower section of the park, you can catch the locals play lawn bowling or tennis.

Kenwood House is also located on the Heath. The house is free to visit and has a few paintings worth seeing, it's also a nice way to break up the day. You might recognize the house from Nottinghill.

Oh, I also got lost on the way back.