On Sunday morning, I, along with four other vloggers/bloggers taxied from the Thistle Kingsley Hotel to the Olympic Park on London's hottest day of the year. We were decked out in boohoo festival gear and ready to conquer a day of nonstop music. It was a twenty minute walk from the taxi drop-off to the festival grounds, a trek that can best be described as an indie exodus to hip hop mecca. Once inside, we took full advantage of the open bar in the VIP area chasing each drink with a bite of milk chocolate brownie that resulted in us bouncy and bouncing between the four stages, eager to take in every minute and every moment.
The festival vibe was friendly, engaging, and chatty. I talked to quite a few people and each conversation, regardless of the topic, sounded like dialogue from Downton Abbey. The British accent is just so damn sophisticated and haphazardly injects intelligence into every word.
Each set was amazing. I've always loved Nas and found myself incoherently rapping/babbling along to his songs old and new. Will i.am brought robots as backup dancers, creating a futuristic set that was visually mesmerizing. When JT and Jay-Z took to the stage, I froze. I couldn't scream or move. I simply stood there, my eyes darting back and forth between the stage and the sea of screaming Brits in shock over what was unfolding before me. I was watching two of the biggest stars in the world perform in London! I then looked up to the sky to take a second to gather my emotions. Right then, I knew this was THE apex of the summer and I needed to engulf every moment of it. I breathed in a deep gulp of air and let out a thundering scream. For the next two hours, JT, Jay-Z and special guest Rihanna enraptured my senses. I sang, danced, rapped, and when I got tired, I swayed from side to side as I was unable to stand still for even a second. It would be a fallacy to say I live for moments like these because such legendary moments are wildly inconceivable. Thank you boohoo for turning a legend into reality!
Here's a look at my five incredible days in London.
{the good}
~We've arrived! After a quick nap Ann, Cait and I head out for our first meal in London but not before striking a pose in front of the most ubiquitous symbol of London.
~Tea, pizza, dutch apple pie, and crepe. The dining scene in London is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities.
~A fun dress up session and photo shoot outside boohoo's Carnaby Street showroom. I can't wait to show you the pictures!
~I love Carnaby's bustling and colorful boutiques, pubs, and restaurants. It's definitely one of my favorite areas in London!
~Channeling "Bahama Retro" while doing some shopping near Oxford Circus, one of London's most popular shopping areas.
~I took an afternoon to explore the British Museum and love its comprehensive exhibits showcasing culture and history from around the world.
~street shots
~For my very last meal in London, I ate kimbap and bulgogi in bed while watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Loved it!
{the bad}
~Festival feet. Thankfully my Cornetti leather sandals didn't become festival casualty as the dirt easily washed off.
{the fab}
~Day trip to Windsor Castle. The Queen was in but we didn't get a chance to meet.
~Posing in front of the mysterious Stonehenge, one of the seven wonders of the world. Such photo opps come around seven times in a lifetime so I circled the site and a took a picture at every 90 degrees angle.
~an intimate dinner at a charming vegan Italian restaurant with Ann.
~The Thistle Kingsbury, my home away from home! Love the friendly staff and the prime location.
~Reach for the skies and you may end up in London facing JT and Jay-Z.{live fabulously}
