Around the World With Dartmouth Lacrosse: Day Trip to London

While this may be my last blog for the term, I relish in the fact that I still have two more weeks in Paris, and I plan on making the most of them. Perhaps first I should backtrack just a bit. What have I been doing since my last post?

One of the many perks about living in Europe is that there are so many different places that are so accessible through so many different modes of transportation: the south of France is a quick train ride or a hop over to Vienna is one cheap round-trip flight away. I have been fortunate enough to have my friends from high school make the trip over to Paris, and even have Dartmouth friends coming to the City of Lights in December, but I thought it was about time that I head somewhere new myself. Maybe it was the subconscious in me that wanted to speak English again, but it was probably the fact that I had the chance to meet up with my dad (in the midst of his own travels) that led me to London for the weekend. As easy as ever I jumped on the train and two hours later I was in a whole new city!

I imagine that at the time, back home in the US, everyone was focusing in on the fact that it was nearly Thanksgiving, but seeing as though is doesn't exist in the UK, they had their energy aimed at the Christmas holiday season! I was only in the city for a quick overnight trip, and there was so much to see in such a short amount of time.

After meeting up with my dad at the train station we headed over to the Portobello Market in Notting Hill. The Portobello Market is a long street stocked full with cute vendors: hats, scarves, jewelry, printed tees, jackets, you name it! Pop-up tents lined every inch of the street including little stand and food trucks selling anything from sugary and savory crepes to seafood paella being mixed around in a massive vat.

Even though I was no longer in Paris I was happy that I could be a part of my dad's first crepe experience (Nutella filled of course!): a very necessary new thing to try. Part of the fun of Portobello is that you walk the stretch of the market and know that you have missed so much along the way; as my dad and I reached the end of the stretch we looped back around to survey all the fun on the opposite side of the street—and happy we did after making a few purchases on the tail end.

Next, we ventured over to a seafood restaurant in the theatre district right off of the amazing Trafalgar Square, but the chocolate lover in me mostly remembers the chocolate soufflé for dessert! Holiday lights were strung over streets, restaurants lined their doors with garland, and window displays hung ornaments and tree décor; however, nothing was quite as festive as the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland festival in one of London's largest parks. The park was completely illuminated by a dozen carnival rides, mazes, vendors, and ticket booths for all the arcade games amidst the crowd of all ages. Bummed to have arrived slightly before the closing time we gained just as much of the general splendor as the folks who had been there for hours.

A tour around the wonderland sent me straight in to Christmas mode only to realize it was still a month away, and for a moment I forget I was going to miss Thanksgiving at home (and all the delicious food that accompanies it). The following day, my dad and I headed to the London Eye—something I have always wanted to do—and took our 30-minute tour around the Ferris wheel overlooking the whole city. It may have been a grey and rainy day, which is rather typical for London weather, but it was amazing nonetheless. Unfortunately I had to make my way back to Paris that afternoon, but I was glad I had the chance to venture outside the City of Love for a weekend in the time I am abroad. London is equally as amazing, but in such a different way.

As for work, since my last blog post, I have spent time working with the Logistics team as well as the Marketing team working on Vestiaire's “Style Cycle” event. Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Claudia Schiffer, etc. have sent articles from their own closets that will be have been posted on our site and purchased in our online auction with all the proceedings going to charity. As part of the Logistics team I worked with my supervisor picking all these Style Cycle items from the stock room of clothes (which is a real tease being surrounded by so many amazing dresses, and jackets, and everything!!!) and specially preparing them for their auction winner. With the marketing team, where I am currently, I have been working on the newsletter for Vestiaire helping with French-to-English translations and helping the team to improve the letters sent to the different level of clients. I have been learning so much and am loving the different experiences with the different departments!

However, with my time ticking down in Paris, I feel myself cramming more and more into the weekends while I have the chance. This past weekend I indulged in a little Parisian shopping, and a perfect opportunity to get a jump on some Christmas gifts (hope my family isn't reading this!).

First, I hopped across to the 8th arrondissement, a first trip there for me, and went to La Galerie Lafayette, which is a massive glass department store/mall that is known for its Christmas decorations: a giant illuminated street stretches from the floor all the way to the top of the structure. A very successful day in the books. Three weeks remain in my time here and only two weekends! Last night I headed over to the starting mark of the Champs Elysées for Paris' own version of a holiday festival, and later having dinner at my favorite spot: Cafe St. Regis on the corner of île Saint-Louis overlooking the back side of Notre Dame.

This weekend I plan on going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, finally visiting the Louvre, and going to the famous “L'As du fallafel” to try to renowned sandwich and celebrating the cold weather at Angelina's with their thick hot chocolate! Big plans ahead and ticking time to finish all the things I want.

Still soaking it all up, but looking forward to being back at Dartmouth soon enough!

- Campbell