London: So Long, Farewell

It's amazing what you can get me to do, if you know the right things to say. (I would say "insert dirty joke here," but I have way too many parents and grandparents and former educators reading this blog, so let's go ahead and pretend this never happened. The font's small because I'm hoping they don't want to strain their eyes.)
Take this girl, for example.

"Let's go tour Parliament," she said.

"It'll be fun! Exactly like the Ministry of Magic, but for Muggles! I promise," she said.
And, I mean, okay, she was right. About the first part at least - it was really entertaining, especially because we took a British Politics class together last year and I felt half-smart because I knew a lot of what some things Mr. Audio Guide was talking about. Granted, I remembered all the "fun facts" (someone gets a door slammed in his face! this is where the Queen sits!) and conveniently forgot all the real facts (this is how the process of legislation works....?).

Lauren insisted that we go because then we'd be informed and cultured and (nerds). And you know what? I love her for it. But she also took me out for tea at Fortnum & Mason because she knew my brain could handle only so much education in one day.

Parliament was actually fascinating and tea was indulgent. We were by far the youngest people at both, but we are two wild, wild cards who know no restraint and self control, what can I say?

Hungry?
My bad. 
But, hang on. I need to torture you some more because I realized that I never invited you to my brief jaunt to Borough Market (heaven) last weekend. It was pre-Harry Potter Studio Tour, which essentially made it the best day ever. There was coffee and pasta and healthy smoothies and everything good in this world. AND I started the day in the most wonderful, soft, snuggly, sink-y bed. See:

Which one didn't Caroline read? You only get one guess because it's too easy.

After all this ridiculous deliciousness, you'd think I'd be satisfied, would you not? You'd think. BUT. Then I spotted a Chipotle far in the distance and sprinted at it with a speed I didn't really think I was capable of. It was everything familiar and my heart... my heart simply weeped at the extra scoops of corn salsa I begged for. 

... but the Coke was fake. There was no high fructose corn syrup in it. What a letdown for a proud American.

Sadly, this weekend marked my farewell (for now) to London. I won't be back in the city again before I leave, but truthfully, I couldn't have left on a better note. Because it was the most beautiful day I've witnessed London having since being here - beautiful, blue, warm, breezy, sunny - we walked from Big Ben/Westminster to Trafalgar Square to St. James' Park to Piccadilly for tea. Piccadilly, where my entire study abroad adventure began. How fitting.
Thank you, London, for all of the amazing memories. You have truly become one of my very, very favorite cities. Up next - finishing up Oxford schoolwork, and then Dublin, Barcelona, Paris, and home!