Yes, London is still brilliant

I can hardly believe it, but it has now been almost a year that I've been living in London. And I still love it. Although I do feel a little bit of wanderlust kicking in and I would be totally open to moving somewhere else for a job, I really still love living in London and I know I'll miss it if/when I leave.

The last few weeks have been pretty full of dissertation writing/editing/obsessing/mild panicking, but I've been able to do a few fun things around the city. I mean, it is the summer--I can't be expected to forego fun altogether.

A couple of weekends ago there was a fantastic (and free) jazz festival in Canary Wharf. I tagged along with my flatmate on two of the nights it was happening. It was in this little park in the middle of all the swanky high-rise office buildings, so it was a pretty cool setting. And the music was brilliant. The first night had a band that was kind of a mix between jazz and hip-hop with the frontman rapping on half the songs and playing the sax on the others. The second night was even better with a huge Cuban band who were just incredible. The frontman for this one played electric violin and sang and he was crazy good. So we chilled, jammed, and drank wine in the park. Not a bad way to spend a summer night.

Last weekend I went out to a super cool speakeasy-style bar with a friend of mine--you have to know the address and ring the bell to get in and it's set up like the office of a private investigator. It's called the Evans & Peel Detective Agency. The best part is that you have to make an 'appointment' and give them a case. When you get there, the receptionist does a little acting and asks you about your case before you're ushered through the door behind the bookcase to the bar. Theatrics aside, the drinks are fabulous and, while I didn't eat, their food menu looks pretty phenomenal as well. I had an amazing cocktail called the Rick's Cafe Americain which is a twist on an old-fashioned with 12yo bourbon, espresso bitters, and a spice-scented glass. Definitely my cup of tea.

So those are the highlights of my last couple of weeks. I should have some more stories of interest after this weekend as I'm off to explore Edinburgh and celebrate handing in my dissertation (sweet, sweet freedom...well, until I have to get one of those job things). Till then, stay classy and drink good whisky.