Let’s explore the churches of London, experience extraordinary Indian cuisine, and learn about Christian heritage.
📅 Trip Dates: March 10-19, 2023
Day 4: Monday, March 13th
6:30AM Morning 5k
📍 Hyde Park ✘ Kensington Gardens
6:30AM Morning 5k in London woohoo!! This was about 2-months after my MPFL Patellar dislocation knee injury. Hindsight, this was WAY too early to get back into running. But I missed running so much. However, this did set me back. I had to give up running and let my injury fully recover until October 2023.
Redeemer Queens Park (RQP) Orientation
📍 Inspire Church ✘ Saint James Church Garden
This was our first day of training with our London church plant, Redeemer Queens Park, at Inspire Church. It was so sweet getting to know the other church from Florida, that was also partnered to help RQP.
Indian Dinner @ Dishoom
📍 4 Derry St, London W8 5SE, United Kingdom ✘ Kensington
We were hanging out with Tilly, who is the sweetest! She is on staff with Redeemer Queens Park. She recommended Dishoom for dinner, and joined us! Dishoom was the best Indian food I have ever had in my life. This was the best restaurant I went to while in London.
It was unreal. The cuisine. The ambience. Incredible.
It was so sweet sharing meals and having great conversations with everyone.
My Order: Mutton Pepper Fry, rice, + European sparkling water! This was my first time ever having lamb and omg this was soooo good. I love spice. But, this was super spicy haha. However, so YUM.
Day 5: Tuesday, March 14th
St. Paul’s Cathedral
📍 St. Paul’s Churchyard – Anglican Cathedral ✘ Christian Heritage London Guided Walk + Tour by Ben Virgo
Oh, I LOVED the Christian Heritage London Guided Walking Tour by Ben Virgo! St. Paul’s Cathedral was stunning!! It was a rainy day in London, so it was so lovely walking around and absorbing the history taught by Ben.
Ben Virgo is a dear friend of Redeemer Queens Park. I am very grateful to have met him on this tour. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, there was a sandwich shop right near it and I got some hot tea. Delightful!
My Order: English breakfast tea.
St Stephen Walbrook
📍 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN, United Kingdom – Anglican Church
This Anglican church was simply beautiful! I loved seeing the Flautists. It made me reminiscence on playing the flute in middle school. I love music! This was so special.
The Royal Bank Of Scotland International Limited
📍 1 Princes St, London EC2R, United Kingdom
We walked around the banking district of Downtown London and it was so cool. It reminded me of Mary Poppins hehe.
St Mary Woolnoth: Parish Church + The Cozy Coffee Corner
📍 10-13 Lombard St, London EC3V 9AN, United Kingdom
I loved seeing the churches of London. It was so fascinating to read about the rich history behind each architectural monument. St Mary Woolnoth had a lovely coffee shop inside it.
London is where I first discovered what a Flat White is…life was changed.
My Order: Warm almond-milk flat white = newfound obsession.
Pizza @ Zizzi
📍 Zizzi – One New Change (St Paul’s)
We grabbed pizza at Zizzi right near St. Paul’s. It was so yum, quick, + so cute inside! Also, this restaurant was so accommodating with food allergies + sensitivities.
My Order: DF, GF margarita pizza with prosciutto. So yum!!
Rooftop View of St. Paul’s Cathedral
📍 One New Change
Wow!! Being on the rooftop of One New Change gave the most beautiful views of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
GuildHall
📍 71 Basinghall St, London EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom
GuildHall was stunning! It was SO COOL going inside and seeing London’s Roman Amphitheatre!
Barbican
✘ Barbican – London, United Kingdom
We walked around Barbican, which is within London’s financial district, it was so pretty!! The architecture of London as a whole is simply unparalleled. Also, seeing a few Londoners playing some football! (We refer to this as soccer in the U.S.) I love soccer. I used to play travel and on my middle school team.
St Bartholomew the Great
📍 W Smithfield, Barbican, London EC1A 9DS, United Kingdom
St. Bartholomew was BEAUTIFUL!
Holy Sepulchre Church
📍 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DQ, United Kingdom
A fact about Holy Sepulchre Church that I just learnt about is that it is the burial place of Captain Smith from Pocahontas. How neat!
We concluded the heritage tour at this church. I loved the tour: Christian Heritage London, given by Ben Virgo. It was probably one of my favorite aspects of the mission. Listening about the sacrifices and lives that were made by believers before me. It really puts it into perspective how blessed we are to have the freedom to practice our faith. Praise God!
Gymshark @ Oxford Circus
📍 165 Regent St., London W1S 3BE, United Kingdom
My first Gymshark store!!!! I loved it. I bought a mini backpack that I love and still use! And some socks, unfortunately I am pretty sure Oakley, my 6-month old Australian Shepherd puppy, ripped those socks lol.
Thai Dinner @ Wagamama
📍 Southern Terrace, Westfield Shopping Centre, London W12 7GA, United Kingdom
This was so yummy! I have never had curry before this! Definitely needed way more protein though.
My Order: DF,GF Raisukaree Thai Curry with Prawns, and sparkling water!
Westfield London | The Village
📍 Snowflake Gelato ✘ Ariel Way, London W12 7GF, United Kingdom
After dinner we walked to Westfield London, which was a nearby shopping center! A few of us found a gelato shop. I. Love. Gelato. Part 2!
To be honest, this was probably my least favorite gelato I’ve had lol. It was definitely not true gelato—it was very sugary and not creamy. But I love chocolate, so it was still good.
My Order: DF, GF Dark Chocolate and Mango Gelato.
carpe diem,
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