London

Exploring Paris: One Cupcake at a Time

July 17, 2012 · by Nikki

The French do many things well, not the least of which are their desserts. And one of the things that makes their desserts so universally well-liked is the uncanny ability to find the perfect balance of sweetness. Rarely is a French pastry ever too sweet, or not sweet enough.

Delicious, no doubt. Copyright: wikipedia

But if you have a sweet tooth anything like mine, you may often find your cravings go unsatisfied in the realm of the perfect pastry. Although I can certainly appreciate and enjoy the macarons, tarts, gâteaux and other delights to be found in France, sometimes I feel the urge to dive head-first into a sea of sugar. And in those moments, cupcakes can often be just what the doctor ordered.

Cupcakes have enjoyed a State-side spotlight in the past few years, with several reality TV series focusing on cake creation and boosting the popularity of cakes and cupcakes alike. While living in Boston, I took the time to explore several cupcake shops, and was often impressed with the creative flavor combinations I was able to find. Not only are cupcakes just a little sweeter than typical French pastries, but the effort put into the carefully crafted frostings, which are often flavorful experiences all by themselves, is apparent.

To put France’s reputation for pastry-making to the test, I decided that I would not simply settle for trying out the things we already know the French are good at, but instead set out to discover what the world of cupcakes looks like when it is created with a Parisian perspective. Although I’m no expert, I do know a good cupcake when I have one (for example, in London, you simply must stop in at Sweet Couture–best cupcakes I’ve ever had! So far…), and I plan to see if cupcakes made in Paris can compete with those from the rest of the world.

The most amazing red velvet cupcake I’ve ever consumed… and there have been many

My first venture into cupcake escapades was Scarlett’s Bakery. I’ll post a review with thoughts and pictures shortly. Bon appétit!!

May 16, 2012 · by Nikki

Better late than never? Here are my fave photos from my trip to England’s capital:

Things I Learned in London

July 22, 2011 · by Nikki

The term “on the wagon” comes from the days of hangings and beheadings in England. Prisoners about to be executed were allowed to stop at a pub on the way to their death and get drunk, while the executioners, having a job to do, had to wait outside. On the wagon.
Although I didn’t get pooped on this time, I was told that receiving the gift of droppings from a pigeon is good luck.
The Hard Rock Cafe in London is apparently the first of its kind.
London is the home to some ridiculous cars. I saw my first ever bubble-gum pink, matte-finish Bentley, as well as a mirror-finish silver Mercedes, to name a few.
Buckingham Palace is boring.
Cabbies in London’s infamous “black cabs” are among the nicest I’ve ever had the pleasure of being driven by.
All the best sites to see in London close early, even on weekends.
People in costume dressed up as Henry VIII and others in his royal household make me giggle.
Prostitutes have business cards.
If my New England family members and friends still think that they live in the weirdest weather on earth… you haven’t been to London.

Ciao 🙂

Luke-Warm About London

July 21, 2011 · by Nikki

I know this post is way beyond past-due, but here it is in all of its belated glory.

When I was in college and had decided I wanted to study abroad, I was looking for an experience that was going to be really different and push me to be outside of my comfort zone. I opted to travel to South Africa. So many of my fellow students were planning trips to places like London and Australia, and in my youthful arrogance I thought I was making the wiser choice, because London (specifically), while beautiful and full of history, wasn’t so far removed from the American lifestyle as to generate the kind of eye-opening experience I was looking for. Since then, London has remained low on my list of destinations I’m burning to visit, but when the opportunity presented itself to turn a business trip into a weekend of tourism, this Perpetual Passenger couldn’t refuse.

I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, nor do I think one weekend in London is enough to really form an opinion of the place. But I can tell you that my initial reaction based on the experience I had is one that coincides rather well with the meteorological patterns of the region: it’s okay.

Before garnering angry reactions from my friends and family who have been touting London as one of the best cities to visit, I must say in London’s defense that I was forced to explore this massive city alone, on the weekend in the middle of summer. You might be thinking “Sounds great!” but what this translates to is an exhausting hike to as many sites as possible (some of which are among the most frequented attractions on the globe, seeing that London is the second-most visited city in the world… after Paris), with no co-navigator save for my iPhone amidst scores of other tourists and… teenagers on holiday. After spending numerous holidays/weekends myself in places like New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Athens or Cape Town and now Paris, I can concretely say that I have NEVER been pushed, shoved, slapped, nudged, bumped, hit or just plain walked into more times than during my brief stay in London. And nary was a Londoner (or Brit, for that matter) the culprit.

This isn’t to say that my experience in “The City” was all bad. In fact, I was enamored with almost any attraction I took the time to explore. After a good friend of mine turned me on to a book that deals loosely with “Bloody Mary,” one of the daughters of the famous King Henry VIII, I have since devoured any and all historical fiction books I can find pertaining to the various reigning powers of early England. And so for me there was a lot to see… and feel. Here are some shots of the places I loved the most:

Outside The Tower of London

The entrance to Hampton Court Palace

My favorite - the stunning and overwhelming Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey requires no religious affiliation to appreciate it, though I’m sure if one is of faith they would surely be awed in this place. I can say from my perspective that this abbey amazed me more than even the Parthenon in Athens… it’s so beautiful and intricate and filled with so much history. I saw the tombs of Mary I, Elizabeth I, Elizabeth of York and her husband Henry VII (the first Tudor king), among others. I saw pictures of the recent “Royal Wedding” of Prince William and Kate Middleton that had taken place weeks before in the very spots where I had stood. And as I walked around taking everything in, I was filled with a sense of reverence and respect that I have never experienced before. It was absolutely breathtaking.

But, overall, I’d say my experience in London can be summed up by a few quick love-hate statements:

Loved: London is known for its good (non-English) food, and I had some of the best tapas while there. Hated: You have to plan midday meals very wisely. Twice I was discouraged as my stomach started to growl and restaurant after restaurant told me they were no longer serving food until dinner. Once, this happend at 1 in the afternoon. On a Sunday. In a train station.

Loved: The historic sites of London! Hated: Trying to see the historic sites of London while feeling like herded cattle.

Loved: The tube (subway), and almost everything about it! It was clean, easy to use, everywhere, and their system for charging makes so much more sense than any I’ve used before (pay per stop, instead of a flat fee no matter how much or how little you’re traveling). Hated: The cost of the tube! Though the structure for use was great, it’s a wash when you’re paying out the nose to ride it.

Loved: The music street performers are playing to try and earn your extra change is the best I’ve ever heard! Hated: London is so expensive you won’t have any extra change.

Loved: All of the shopping! Hated: All of the shopping!

Loved: Westminster Abbey. I cannot say it enough. Hated: That you cannot take pictures of the inside. Although I completely understand why and respect it, I sincerely wish I had some photos to remember the place with. I guess I’ll just have to go back 🙂

I do actually plan to make another trip to London, and perhaps during a less busy time of year. I also didn’t get to experience much of the city’s nightlife, which I hear leaves little to be desired. I’m looking forward to returning and getting a renwed outlook on England’s capital.

Ciao!