1) Describe your blog
Have you ever eaten your dinner on a double decker bus in South London?
Watched cult films under the stars at a rooftop cinema?
Attended world pillow fight day?
If the answer to those is No then you are missing out on Londons alternative side! I review anything from unusual events to bizarre restaurants and cafes in London. Along side this I am documenting my travel plans for a crazy one year solo trip to South East Asia that will begin next summer.
2) Why did you create your blog?
Originally it was to become familiar with other travel bloggers, I would love to meet others whilst Im on the road. Part of being a blogger is following others that share your target audience, Ive already learnt a lot through useful posts about travelling and the city I live in. I soon realised that whist planning for my trip I could blog about London, but not about the usual touristy rubbish, I want to tell everybody about the secret side London that Ive discovered over my years of living here. I want to make my readers say “Wow I didnt know about that!”
3) What is your favourite blog post and why?
I wrote about my favourite Cafe in London Cafe 1001. This is what I love about writing the blog, sharing places I think people will love but would never have found without me blabbing about it! I also wrote about my trip to Berlin which gave me a taste of travel blogging. I included a video of me falling on my ass, I personally find it hilarious.
4) What are the top 3 things you have learnt from blogging?
Apparently people think Im funny…who knew?! Blogging is a full time job, there is SO SO much more to it than what people imagine and there are not enough hours in the day! But its definitely a labour of love. Ive discovered some amazing places thanks to the readers. I always welcome recommendations, so if you know anywhere great that I need to be writing about then get in touch!
5) What is your favourite part of London and why?
Im torn between Brick Lane and Camden. Brick Lane is an artistic hub where the incredible street art changes from one week to the next. I could spend the day here just people watching, its Londons bohemian/hipster hideaway where anything goes. Also home to my favourite cafe and nearby in Shoreditch are some of the best bars in London. Camden is like no where else in London. Nobody will gawp at my sleeve tattoo because I would be a minority in Camden if I didnt have one! I love nothing more than being serenaded by a busker by the canal with some street food and a beer. Bliss!
6) How does London compare to other cities around the world?
London has something for everybody; Soho for the gay community, Brick Lane for the hipsters, Kensington for the middle class, Brixton for the rastafarians… The list goes on. Ive never witnessed so many different communities bought together in one city, its so diverse and no matter what your background you can always feel at home somewhere in London. It has some of the best history and architecture in the world from the beautiful old buildings of Whitehall to new modern buildings like The Shard. London also still has royalty, nothing beats that! Theres many other cities Ive been to and fallen in love with but none seem to offer as much as London. Huge parks, the river Thames, Buckingham Palace, Greenwich village, Canary Wharf…..The list goes on!
7) What have you found to be the best way to make friends in London?
When I first moved here I didnt know anybody. On impulse I moved in with a Brazilian girl I met on a night out that barely spoke any English. We spent most of our time in central exploring the bars of Soho where we met new people each week, which is where my social circle stemmed from. Its important to get out there and socialise if you want to make friends in the city. I feel blessed that a majority of my friends are foreign, theyve opened my mind to whats out there and I always get great travel advice! If socialising in bars isnt your thing then you can get onto websites like CouchSurfing.com where the members plan regular gatherings.
8) If you could give someone new to London one piece of career advice what would it be?
Oh god…lol. I guess it depends what sort of career they are aiming for. If they are new to London and looking for a job then a good place to start is Gumtree.co.uk or one of the many agencies in the city. Theres a lot of competition for any sort of job role in London so always make you are extremely dapper and that your interview skills are on point. What will set you apart from the rest? Avoid being too ridged or robotic, sometimes personality goes just as far as knowledge and experience.
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