London

Flying stand-by has its risks, mainly that you don't know if you'll actually get a seat. Already being bumped off a flight the day before, I had my doubts if my luck would prove any better. I secretly wished that I wouldn't get on, because spending another night with Jess, to me, was more valuable than gold. My friend Brandon hugged me and gave me $3 to catch the train back, in case I didn't get on the plane. We shared a moment that was hard to not tear-up during, but it was ended with a simple, "See you later, man!" I was given a business class ticket, but told that I might need to give it back, because the flight was over-booked. Again, I was hoping I'd have to, and get I'd to use the $3 Brandon gave me to go back home. 

My stomach sank, and 8 hours later, I landed at Heathrow Airport and made my way to the immigration desk, all the while knowing that I didn't have the minimum funds to cross the border on my T-5 visa, and again secretly hoping I'd get sent back to Toronto. A quick conversation led to a stamp in my passport, and as my stomach began to sink again, I knew that I was stuck here, a place that people dream of visiting, the place that I'd left my home for, London Town.

Coffee

Okay, kids, so let's get right into it. 

In Camden, you'll find Coffee Jar. This place is just about as friendly as Gaslight in Logan Square (read my Chicago guide). I felt like I was too much of an asshole to even step foot in there, but I'm an asshole, so I did it anyway. The espresso there was always killer, and they have some great baked goods and sandwiches. The little bench next to the window was a place where I would sit and people watch as I stole their Wi-Fi to look for a room when I first got to London. The only problem was that bitch who once left the door open in winter and made me get up and close it. So fuck her!

From there, you can walk to the overground station (Camden Road) and head to either Islington, Dalston, Hackney, or Homerton, or walk to the tube station (Camden Town) and head north to Kentish Town or south to Angel. All of these areas have killer coffee shops, but I'm going to talk about my favourite spot in Dalston next, Fingers Crossed.

This spot was a few doors down from my apartment, on the corner of Amhurst and Shacklewell. Coffee was always fantastic, probably partly because they buy it from my homie, Jamie at Dark Arts Coffee over in Hackney. I loved the neighbourhood feel of this place, as well as the fact that there were often dogs in there that wanted attention from me. Check out the specials board for affordable and super-tasty stuff. The risotto is always banging! 

Speaking of Dark Arts, on weekends you should check out their cafe which goes by the name of I Will Kill Again. You'll find tonnes of the typical bearded vegan cunts that you'd expect there, but I put up with them because the product is so fantastic! I hated how much I aesthetically could fit in there. I went there with my homie, Nacho, and we had some vegan black bean brownies - they were legit.

Also, head over to 46b Espresso Hut in Homerton. It's a short walk/bike ride from Dark Arts. Dom will hook you up with a nice brew. He's also friendly as fuck, but don't judge him for that! I really like this place, and the simplicity of it. They put out a super good product.

Special mentions go to L'atelier and the All Press Roastery - both in Dalston, Maison d'etre in Islington, The Place in Canonbury and Black Lab in Clapham. If you're after a consistent coffee, try my picks for chains: Grind Co. and Brickwood.

Homie Tip - if you're hungry, get the blue cheese and avocado sandwich at The Place, or the baked camembert on toast at L'atelier for a mean feed.

Pizza

I'm still trying to hit all of the places I've heard of, but the ones I've been to that I rate are as followed: Home Slice for a sit down meal while still ticking all the trendy boxes, Voodoo Ray's for as casual as you can get while still getting a great slice, and Princi in Soho for an authentic Italiano vibe. 

Princi is the real deal. Killer restaurant side that's still casual, and a take away side for those who are too drunk to handle cutlery. Whenever I'm in Soho, I make sure to walk past here just to get a slice or two.

Burritos

The only place that I found that's worth its salt is La Casa Del Burrito in Stoke Newington. Depending on how drunk I was would depend if we would speak in Spanish or English when I went in there. The dude who owns it is from Chile, but he MexiCAN make you a killer burrito! 

I'm disappointed in myself for that pun, but I had already disappointed everybody else I know. So fuck it!

Sights

If you fuck with museums, London is the place for you! All of those mother fuckers are free! 

Head over to my old stomping ground, The Four Sisters and get Cosmin to make you a Milano Sour.  Go have a drink at Bokan inside the Novotel in Isle of Dogs. Just take the DLR to Canary Wharf. You'll love the view! Ride a bike down the canals, who knows where you'll end up? Check out Highgate Cemetery, it's like a whole other world there. Check out Hyde Park, there's always something nice to see over there. I went to this art installation thing there with Pig Dog, it was pretty sweet!

Homie Tip - You can hit the Science, V & A, and the Natural History museums all in a days work. They are super close to each other, and you're not promoted to stay for ever if you didn't pay to get in.

Weather

Let's be honest, we've all heard how shit the weather is. I've lived in colder, but at least in Toronto and Chicago you can leave for the winter. Here, it changes day-to-day, somewhat like Melbourne, but worse. The grey gets depressing as fuck, and I think where this deep-seated attitude (that people have here) comes from. I don't buy into the whole idea that all English people are rude, but it definitely feels like everybody around here walks with blinders on and have no time for you.

Skateboarding

The problem here is that when you find a dope spot, it'll fucking rain! There are a few undercover spots/parks, but the parks will generally cost you. There are some rad places to roll, but cruising downtown is awful because of foot traffic. If you hit up certain areas on weekends, you'll find far less people e.g. around Bank station, as it's mostly office type places.

Veg Food

It'd be impossible to write about veg food and not talked about vegan heaven, Black Cat Cafe in Hackney. Nacho is a fucking phenomenal chef, and he even gave me vegan marshmallows one time - I didn't even know that was possible! The burger is killer, and a monster portion. Rueben style sandwich is my go to for sure, though. They even rep Australia with Bundaberg ginger beer and peach soda. Go there, thank me, and then go there again. You're welcome!

So that's my London in a nutshell. I hope you have a great time! I know I very much enjoyed the year and a half I spent there. Thanks to Simon and Andrew for paying me to get people drunk while I was there. Thanks to my best friends Cosmin and Elena, you guys are high fashion. To the team at The Four Sisters (that includes you, Huw), the ballers of Hackney, Clissold and Old Street, the homies who alternated between saying I was hot and too fat, First Models, my couch-sponsors, Lisa and Maxy, and to my flatmates, James, Cass and Anna, I love you all. 

I can't wait to see you all again.