We woke later than we would like to
admit again, but if you are starting to worry about the quality of our trip due to late starts, let me assure you that this trend will not continue. Since we were leaving the next morning we had decided to make our stops at all the places that we wanted to see and hopefully gather some farewell gifts for Monika. We went first for a day-time visit to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abby. Then, deviating from our morning plan slightly, we went to the Tate Britain for a whirlwind tour which we vowed to return when we return to London but later that very same day decided that it would be secondary to another point of interest that we had discovered. After visiting London’s other Tate, our sites were set on our days primary goal despite the fatigue that was beginning to batter our previously cheery mood. Although we hadn’t yet eaten and although we still also wanted to make a day-time trip to Buckingham Palace, we set off to South London to visit what was enthusiastically described by Victor as “the best thing ever.”
The best thing ever was a market - the New Covent Market - and it was a thing of legend in Britain, and, more factually was the bane of Chinese food purveyors around the city. It was said that from the opening of the market into the afternoon, the fruit and vegetable
stands were famous for throwing out tons and tons of produce that was still entirely good. What’s more is that from Victors account, unless you were a Chinese man with a van, the people were happy to give it to you at the back of the stands so that you could enjoy what the pretentious food customers simply (or apparently) could not tolerate even looking at. The only draw back is that we, of course, were late(6:00ish). We rode our bikes into a nearly abandoned market (that WAS huge) and at first saw no one….but then we heard a whistle. A man called us over and had us wait by the “fruit only” dumpster to where he brought out hundreds of mushrooms, stem tomatoes, turnips, cauliflower, grapes, and “the smallest tomatoes anywhere.” After my newly mended bag was over-laden with produce and Alyssa’s already
uncomfortable bag was doubly so, we left. At first we debated about simply returning to Victors and Monika’s from which the entire city separated us, but we decided to tough up in spite of our leisurely sleeping schedule and go see Buckingham Palace. We eventually arrived back to greet Monika with the excess vegetables and promises of making her diner that we hoped would finally win her over to us since we thought that she may not be entirely happy with our presence. Our fears were completely vanished after we served her a cassorole of mashed turnips, cauliflower, and mushrooms with cheese (which was an entirely original and impromptu creation due to the under-boiling of our turnips) and “open-faced grilled cheese and tomato sammys”- the name of which I was just informed of. We sat and talked and she was very pleasant and said that she thought we were very nice. We then went to bed since our plans were to leave bright and early the next morning.
admit again, but if you are starting to worry about the quality of our trip due to late starts, let me assure you that this trend will not continue. Since we were leaving the next morning we had decided to make our stops at all the places that we wanted to see and hopefully gather some farewell gifts for Monika. We went first for a day-time visit to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abby. Then, deviating from our morning plan slightly, we went to the Tate Britain for a whirlwind tour which we vowed to return when we return to London but later that very same day decided that it would be secondary to another point of interest that we had discovered. After visiting London’s other Tate, our sites were set on our days primary goal despite the fatigue that was beginning to batter our previously cheery mood. Although we hadn’t yet eaten and although we still also wanted to make a day-time trip to Buckingham Palace, we set off to South London to visit what was enthusiastically described by Victor as “the best thing ever.” 
The best thing ever was a market - the New Covent Market - and it was a thing of legend in Britain, and, more factually was the bane of Chinese food purveyors around the city. It was said that from the opening of the market into the afternoon, the fruit and vegetable
stands were famous for throwing out tons and tons of produce that was still entirely good. What’s more is that from Victors account, unless you were a Chinese man with a van, the people were happy to give it to you at the back of the stands so that you could enjoy what the pretentious food customers simply (or apparently) could not tolerate even looking at. The only draw back is that we, of course, were late(6:00ish). We rode our bikes into a nearly abandoned market (that WAS huge) and at first saw no one….but then we heard a whistle. A man called us over and had us wait by the “fruit only” dumpster to where he brought out hundreds of mushrooms, stem tomatoes, turnips, cauliflower, grapes, and “the smallest tomatoes anywhere.” After my newly mended bag was over-laden with produce and Alyssa’s already
uncomfortable bag was doubly so, we left. At first we debated about simply returning to Victors and Monika’s from which the entire city separated us, but we decided to tough up in spite of our leisurely sleeping schedule and go see Buckingham Palace. We eventually arrived back to greet Monika with the excess vegetables and promises of making her diner that we hoped would finally win her over to us since we thought that she may not be entirely happy with our presence. Our fears were completely vanished after we served her a cassorole of mashed turnips, cauliflower, and mushrooms with cheese (which was an entirely original and impromptu creation due to the under-boiling of our turnips) and “open-faced grilled cheese and tomato sammys”- the name of which I was just informed of. We sat and talked and she was very pleasant and said that she thought we were very nice. We then went to bed since our plans were to leave bright and early the next morning.
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