Bristol, United Kingdom Why Bristol? Well, the custom’s agent told me to do so, and H totally went along with it when I suggested we spend £70 to do so. We did 0 research, realized half way along our train ride that I probably meant Brighton for some sea and countryside (also, it’s only a £12 day trip as H so happily pointed out), but WHATEVER we did it and I am SO happy we did. But let’s back track, shall we? We had aimed to have a nice early night in, but that resulted in H waking up drunk, I woke up exhausted and fighting off a cold, we took the tube 40 minutes to Paddington, loaded up on juice, health/elixir shot things, and I treated myself to some shakshuka (I MISS ISRAEL) and H destroyed a breakfast sandwich from Burger King. We hopped on the train, she napped, I was like an excited kid, and then when she woke up, we switched trains, took our elixir shots, tried not to vomit because my god they were dreadful, and made it to Bristol. I’m not going to lie, we were completely unenthused. However, once we started walking we cheered right up. Pastel coloured homes all over the hills, facing a river with industrial peers and crates turned in to pop up restaurants and coffee shops, and a free museum of Bristol showcasing how progressive the city is. From activists, musicians, artists, volunteers, fisherman, etc. Bristol has such a strong sense of community and an incredibly cool history. After walking the full loop around the water, we went in to the city center that was completely alive with buskers, food markets down every corner street, cathedrals that surrounded the city with their bells competing with another as they chimed every half hour, and intricate, ancient architecture all over the city. The university was extraordinary, the shops were adorable, and it had the feel of every European city I’ve ever known and loved. It was the best and most lovely place to stumble in to and I am so happy we did. I’m currently waiting in Tunes, Portugal to take me to Lagos after spending a night in Faro. It feels good to feel the sun on my face.
