London

After spending the summer in London, it was somewhat difficult returning to the reliable cornfields of Indiana. After seven weeks in another country there was certainly a culture shock coming back and getting used to living in America again. As I look back on my time in London, I find it hard to reflect as it almost seems like a dream now. This reflection has been perhaps the most difficult prompt to write about, but I can still think back to my time in London with joy.

From the bustling streets of London, where a new language was heard every twenty feet, and different cultures swept the streets, I was able to garner an appreciation for the celebration of worlds different from my own. That was perhaps one of the most salient side effects of studying abroad as I found that learning more about other people and where they came from in Europe was different than in America. It is incomparable meeting someone from Morocco and learning about their country than it is meeting someone from Ohio. As I met more people I was introduced to more unique experiences in the world and more importantly, I was able to understand how people outside of America viewed us. Looking back, there were many people that have an inherent hostility towards us as they view us through a lens of our politics and choices of country. Overcoming their disposition towards us was not an easy task, but it was that much sweeter finding friends abroad. The day before my last day, I was able to meet up with a friend who lives near Hastings at a gym in London. We went to BUILT DIFFERENTLY Gym and then grabbed dinner, and that experience is something I will never forget. How often is it you get to go to a famous powerlifting gym and be the only American there? 

In regards to the best experiences I had whilst in England, there are two trips I wish to highlight and recommend to anyone visiting. First, I’ll highlight my time at Dover at the White Cliffs. What else is there to talk about—the beautiful view and ethereal feeling that comes when standing on a cliff over the English Channel that could fall down to the shore at any moment. It is instances like this that make you cherish the opportunities and choices that allowed for that moment to happen. While Dover carried it with one of the best views in London, Bath will forever hold a place in my heart. Something about the town, likely due to Jane Austen, made me feel I was walking through a story. Taking part in something centuries-old that to this day held the beauty that it did then. If there is anywhere you go that is not within the larger scope of London, make it Bath. 

Finally, I have come to reflect on how writing a blog and posting on social media has changed my interactions with London. Perhaps I would not have kept the same memories like the ones that I put down in writing or posting, but one thing is certain: I have created an undying memoir of my exact thoughts and feelings while studying abroad, and I will always be grateful for that. If you’re reading this and questioning whether or not you should study abroad, I’ll leave you with a resounding yes. Thanks for reading!

Where do I begin when it comes to talking about food in London? The answer to that is pretty easy if I’m being honest. I could write this entire blog post solely about fish and chips and all the different places I tried it, but that would be absurd (unless someone would be interested in that, then it’s not a problem at all). The food here has its ups and downs but I’ve done my best to single out some food tips, items, and places that are necessary to try if you are visiting London for the first time. Now, I’m obviously a little biased when it comes to food because I will quite literally try anything once, but the best fish in chips in town, nay in England by far has got to be the ones out of FishKitchen found in Borough Market. They are crushing the game with both their food and prices it’s just a steal. Please do check them out if you ever get the chance, tell them Eli McCoy sent you, they will not understand that at all but it would be funny to me. Now that fish and chips are off the table it’s time to talk about the foods that you may not want to eat unless you’re a little adventurous.

Black Pudding is hard to sell to someone once they learn what's inside it. When I first had it, I was unaware and I thought it was alright and then I learned that it was dried pig’s blood mixed with oatmeal and was a little turned off my meal for a bit, but it came to grow on me. The same goes for Haggis in Scotland, which I thought was actually really good compared to the Black Pudding. If you’re in either England or Scotland you have to try each at least once, almost as a rite of passage. Finally, the final must in my opinion is Jaffa Cakes. These delectable little pastries come in the form of orange jelly covered with chocolate on a little cake. I can easily put down fifty of these on a good day, and they are truly game-changers in the world of sweet treats.

Finally, I’m sure that everyone is interested in my tips and tricks for cheap food in London. If you’re balling on a budget you have to hit places like Greggs, which serves cheap pastries, hot, and quick that won’t break the bank. They have sausage rolls for a pound, chicken bakes for a pound sixty, and donuts from ninety pence up. Greggs PR if you’re reading this please open up shop in the U.S. and sponsor me. If you really don’t want to break the bank you can download an app called 2Good2Go which lets you purchase the food that restaurants would normally have to throw out at the end of the day for extremely reduced prices. Just the other day I got a surprise bag from Greggs for the equivalent of four USD and received three sandwiches and six donuts, talk about a steal. The best bang for your buck comes from these two places, so eat on, and try out the fish and chips at least once.