A Bittersweet Symphony of Goodbyes

It is official: This was my last week in London, and this post officially signifies the end of it. I leave for Copenhagen in the morning and I am very excited… yet a little sad too. And I have to say, my last week in London was filled with more exploring, more laughs, more fun, and more memories.

This week we took in our last days with with some cocktails at an underground bar (complete with a secret password and all), we celebrated Valentine’s Day with pizza and margaritas, and enjoyed our program’s farewell dinner at a local pub to say our goodbyes.

And of course, this weekend was packed full of fun! On Saturday, we went to Portobello Market in Notting Hill and walked the long streets filled with antiques, food (and possibly the best strawberry filled donut I’ve ever had), clothes, and souvenirs. My friend Annika and I also ventured through the heart of the city to see Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye, etc. We walked 8.5 miles in total, but man was it worth it. It was a beautiful day spent in a beautiful city. On Sunday, we went to the Columbia Road Flower Market in Shoreditch. And to wrap up the weekend, we got one final brunch together to celebrate the end of our time all together in London.

How do I feel about leaving, you ask?

Honestly, I am sad I have to say goodbye to London. I finally feel like I know the city fairly well. It seems like there is so much to see yet, even though my London Bucket List is filled with check marks. But that being said, I am excited to move to Copenhagen. Don’t get me wrong… I am nervous to transition to a new culture, with a new language, new currency, etc. Traveling comes with little worries that really get me... planning to loose your suitcase by packing extra clothes in your carry on, navigating my way to the airport (and through the airport), and the stress of flying itself. You know, the normal stuff?

But besides the common stresses that come with traveling, I am really excited to get to know a new city. I am excited to try new foods, learn about a new culture, and meet some more new people. I am excited to travel somewhere new and continue this amazing journey I am on.

No matter how excited I am, I do have to say that I will miss the friends I have made here.

To Annika, Christina, Kayleigh, Gen, Lucy, and Judith: Thank you for sharing this crazy adventure with me. My time in London has been far greater than I imagined and I attribute that to you guys. Thanks for all the laughs, the movie commentaries, the karaoke nights, long walks around the city, and all the memories we made. I will miss you, but I cannot wait to see you again soon!

And yet one more goodbye… (but only until next week),

Olivia

Pictures: my girls, Columbia Road Flower Market, London Eye by night (and when your photographer tells you to be the London Eye), my phone booth photo, Olivia finally figuring out the tube, a Big Ben under construction, Buckingham Palace (and when your photographer tells you to "wear a crown like The Queen"), giant red heart for Valentine's Day, a great group picture in Hyde Park, and Palace of Westminster (also known as the House of Parliament ).