One Girl's Getaway to London - Camden Market

I was sad to see Beth and Gemma leave, but I was excited to continue exploring London. Everyone told me I had to check out Camden Market, so I navigated my way via public transportation to the area and met my friend, Eli, there. He gave me a great tour of the area and told me about the history and how it has evolved over the years. I loved checking out the “stalls” in the Stables Market that housed antiques, clothes, hat, collectibles, home goods and vintage clothes. There was so much to see and so much I wanted to buy, but I knew my suitcase was already bursting at the seams. One of our last stops was a boutique called Boon. While most of the dresses were not my style, I did find one that I fell in love with. After speaking with the clerk, I realized he didn’t just work there, but he was the owner of the store and designer. As I paid for my new find, Boon told me that Lady Gaga always stops to see him when she’s in town and bought eight dresses (no meat) from him.

After a late lunch at Fogg’s Restaurant & Bar (www.foggsrestaurant.co.uk), I said goodbye to Eli and headed back to my flat to start the packing process. I had an early plane to catch to Dublin the next morning.

Although I was apprehensive about this trip due to the unfortunate circumstances that happened before I left, I could not have asked for a better trip to a more hospitable city with some of the warmest people I’ve ever met. It is true - you learn a lot about yourself when you travel alone. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have done the trip any differently. Here’s to new friends in 2011!