I'm so excited to share Jen of Lady Relocated's tips on how to experience London like a local. If you would also like to participate in the Tourist in Your Hometown guest post series email me stampinmypassport (at) gmail (dot) com. 

I'm often asked what it's like to live in London, and I typically respond like a deer in headlights. It's impossible to answer that question easily. London is unlike anywhere I've ever traveled or lived. A city of contrasts, old and new, historical and modern, chaotic and peaceful, maddening and magical, cold yet welcoming, claustrophobic but expansive, quintessentially British yet culturally diverse...I could go on and on. London refuses be characterized in simple terms.

I've taken my best shot at tourist advice for my visiting family and friends, but there's also something to be said for taking a page out of a local's book. Londoners have taught me to embrace free museums, appreciate pubs, and keep up with the latest cultural events. They've also taught me to cram too many people into a tube car and queue properly, but that's another story.

If I was showing you around London like a local, here's what we would do.

1. Take the bus

The #11 bus is the perfect route to see all the major sites. Rather than getting on a crowded tourist bus, we would pay the regular commuter fare and grab a seat on the top deck of a city bus to sightsee like a local.

2. Enjoy the pub scene

Sunday Roast is like Thanksgiving every Sunday. Wear your stretchy jeans. Here's a guide for the best roasts in London according to The Londonist.

3. Night at the museum

Most museums in London are free which is reason enough to go. But many also offer late night hours, often serving drinks and hosting activities so we can get our culture on, drinks in hand, without dodging school tours and strollers. Peruse our options here.

4. Grab lunch at the market

The tourists all go to Portobello and Borough Market. We'll hit up the Real Food Market, Maltby Street, Broadway Market, Brixton, Columbia Road Flower Market, or Spitalfields instead. These are just a few of the markets in London that serve up tasty food at reasonable prices alongside fresh produce and handmade crafts.

5. Coffee and Canals

When I learned about the canals snaking through central London I was intrigued. One of London's best kept secrets is Regent's Canal. We'll get our caffeine fix at local coffee shop Towpath along the canal and start strolling.

6. Brunch

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear about London is that British food is bad. In case you couldn't tell from my food theme, this couldn't be further from the truth. London has Michelin-starred restaurants coming out of the woodwork and a diversity of cuisines that mirrors the cultural mix of this town's population. Brunch is the latest revelation in London's food scene. I would take you to Granger & Co. in Notting Hill for an Australian-style brunch, or The Breakfast Club if you preferred American-style bacon and hash browns. Ottolenghi is another hot chef in town with several brunch and dinner spots.

7. Go to the theatre

The West End isn't just for tourists. We can buy day tickets or scour lastminute.com for a great deal. There is so much talent in this town we're sure to enjoy whatever show we choose.

8. Ferry to Greenwich

We can escape London without ever leaving the city limits by hopping on a water taxi and sailing East to Greenwich. The covered market, expansive park, and museums will keep us occupied for hours. The views from the water taxi are stunning too, and much cheaper than a tourist cruise.

9. Walk in the park

Everyone knows Hyde Park is amazing, but have you been to Richmond Park, Regent's Park, Victoria Park, or Hampstead Heath? Those are just a few of the more popular ones. We'll walk off all the food we've indulged in and take in some people-watching as a bonus.

There's never a dull moment in London. I hope you have a chance to experience it like a tourist AND a local for yourself soon.

One of the main questions arising after the Royal Baby media frenzy is: Why do Americans care so much? We moved to an mostly uninhabited land, fought off diseases and fought a revolution just to get away from the monarchy. Are we going soft? Do we want to go back to those days? 

Reasons why Americans care so much about Will, Kate and their son: 

1. We love a Cinderella story. Kate is living out every girls fairy tale of marrying a prince. She came from a "working class" background (which gets me every time because her family has millions, but I guess not even that can buy you a title). We love watching the fairy tale romance evolve and, unlike many royals in the past, Will and Kate look like they truly care about each other.

2. The news needs a positive story every now and then. Fires, floods, earthquakes, murders, the miserable state of the economy...this is the meat of the 24-hour news cycle. The royal baby is like a breath of fresh air.

3. Kate stands in complete contrast to the sorry state of American celebs. Yes, I'm talking to you Amanda, Lyndsey and Kim. Don't think that you having a baby will bring joy to the world like the birth of His Royal Highness. Not gonna happen. When American celebrities have a baby, they decide to sell its photos to the highest tabloid (eh hem...Tom and Katie, I'm looking at you). Even if such a thought crossed the mind of Will and Kate, they would donate all of the proceeds to a charity that, not only do they support monetarily, but also visit and spend time at.

***

On a side note, my family was living outside of London when Princess Diana died. Remember the photos of people camped outside waiting for her funeral procession? My mom and some of her friends were in that crowd. Sadly, I was five at the time and wondering why the funeral took precedent over my cartoons. How little I had my priorities in order then.

Also, am I the only one who is secretly hopes that they hold the baby up like Simba in The Lion King when they introduce him to the world at Buckingham? 

One thing you should know and accept about me 

is that I love "reality" television. 

Nine times out of 10 my tv is turned to Bravo.

During school, I would catch up on reruns of Laguna Beach 

and The Hills while drinking my coffee before chapel.

I don't know what draws me to semi-real shows like those

or the Housewives. And don't even get me started on my 

love of The Rachel Zoe Project. {I DIE.}

Perhaps it is all of the cool shots of LA or New York? 

Maybe it's all of the brunches? {which is my favorite meal}

Or maybe it's the thrill of trying to decipher when the producers intervened 

or when moments are just pure reality gold. 

If you thought The Hills was scripted 

{which it was. case in point: Stacy the Bartender. helloooo}

then wait until you watch Made in Chelsea, the London equivalent. 

What I love most about MIC is when two cast members 

happen to "casually" bump into each other 

while walking their dogs or window shopping. 

Really? I know Chelsea is a fairly small neighborhood, but come on.

Although I know all of the situations are in limbo between true and fake, 

I would like to think that the cast are all somewhat friends in real life 

and that there are no "Stacy the Bartender" characters 

who keep popping up in random story lines.  

{The fact that I refer to characters and story lines should concern me}

No matter, I cannot wait for Tuesdays when MIC is streamed online.

And if, like me, reality television holds a special place in your heart, 

if you have fond memories growing up watching LC, Lo, Kristen, Audrina, and Spiedy

then perhaps you might want to take the summer to immerse yourself in the lives

of similar people across the pond.

Here are two videos to pique your interest even more: 

#1 {Promo Video #IMREADY} Hilarious parody of the show but spot on.

#2 {L'Americano - music video featuring several of the boys and filmed at a party on MIC.}

Hope you are enjoying your Thursday! And maybe I've talked you into adding yet another show to your queue this summer :)

-Jess

Here is an excerpt from my blog from March: 

I just got back from an amazingly fast five days in London. There is no way to condense everything down into one post but I’ll give you the highlights. Right after we dropped our bags off we started a walking tour around the city. First stop: Rosetta stone at the British museum (no big deal.) We continued on to the likes of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and a brief glimpse at Buckingham. 

My favorite part of the trip would actually have to be the excursion to Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon. Oxford is dripping with heritage and traditions. The Ivy League has nothing on this university. And what better way to commemorate my time in Oxford than with a crew sweatshirt? 

We also did the whole Shakespeare thing since he was kind of a big deal. We toured the Globe, but since it’s not quite summer were unable to see a show there and instead saw The Tempest in Stratford. It may not be quite the same, but it was still an amazing production. 

Sunday was spent at church at Westminster followed by lunch at a pub, outside of which they were filming part of the new James Bond film, followed by an afternoon stroll through Kensigton Gardens, the Victoria & Albert Museum and afternoon tea and scones. 

We had a free day on Monday before we headed back to Paris. Sam, Emily and I decided to brave the crowds and tourists and watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham. While I probably won’t ever do it again (it’s kind of a seen it one and done kind of deal) it was still one of those British rights of passage activities that you just have to do when given the opportunity.

We also went to Chipotle afterwards. You may be wondering why Chipotle when I could have it any day back home? Well, sometimes you just get a hankering for America and the familiar. Trust me, it did not disappoint. 

And what would any travel blog be without a quick discussion on food? Well it was more like a culinary trip around the world instead of just strict Brit fare that included Chinese, Thai, Mexican and of course several helpings of fish & chips. 

It amazed me how similar British and American culture is. Also, seeing signs in English made traveling that much more comfortable and relaxing. There is definitely a strong American presence in London, especially in the stores and restaurants  More so than in Paris. Driving down the highway almost made me forget that I was in England…until I remembered that we were driving on the left hand side of the road.

-Jess

I remember when I returned home after living in Paris, people would always ask me what it was like. And it was always the toughest question I had to answer. How can you sum up an entire life-changing experience in one sentence? 

The answer: you can't. 

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London

Before I left for Paris, I saw my life turning out like most; graduate college, get a job, get married, have babies, be BORING. Paris showed me that there is more to this world. That you don't have to live life conventionally to have a good life. That travel is one of the most important things that happens. That trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone can be the most exciting part of life. 

The Three Amigos in Ireland

I realized after I came back just how much more I wanted out of life. And I realized I didn't have a single idea how to change it. Before I left, I was just floating along in life, trying desperately to find something or someone to grasp to. And as it turns out, I found Paris.

Monet's Garden in Giverny 

 As graduation looms ever nearer, I have never been more unsure or more confident of the direction that I am headed in because I know that I have experienced some truly amazing things in this short life. 

The first of many times hanging out at the Eiffel Tower

No matter how my life turns out, I know that the months I spent in Paris will forever be considered some of the most special. Thank you, Paris for changing my life. 

-Samantha