Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

I've visited Hyde Park in London several times before, but it has truly undergone a magnificent transformation over the past week. Like I've said time and time again, people in the UK do not see Christmas as any small matter--it doesn't simply come and go. Whereas those who are Christmas-crazy in the US seem to be the minority, Christmas is literally celebrated to an astonishing extent here in London.

Hyde Park has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the 5 weeks leading up to Christmas. I am not exaggerating one bit when I tell you that this "winter wonderland" is like an insane reindeer-driven, eggnog-powered hybrid of a carnival, market, and festival all about this beloved wintry holiday.

These babies are dutch pancakes--they're sort of like miniature pancakes that are unbelievably fluffy and absolutely delectable when they're drizzled in Nutella and laden with bananas and powdered sugar.

All throughout the different sections of the Winter Wonderland were various performers singing live music.

They basically built a pop-up amusement park in here, complete with this huge Ferris Wheel, carnival games, rollercoasters and fun houses.

Packs of M&Ms and Toblerone bars the size of my torso were up for grabs at the games.

There even was a station where you could partake in some good British fun by giving hurling a try!

There were merry-go-rounds with bars in the center, bars that looked like ski resorts from the outside, and every kind of cider, eggnog, spiked hot chocolate drink or mulled wine you could possibly imagine. 

Per the usual, London has got Christmas very, very right.

Tate Modern & Markets Galore

Christmastime in London makes me especially happy that I came to study here in the fall. 

Southbank Centre opens a Christmas market in London that runs all along the Thames and is laden with delicious fall and winter themed treats, including this crepe stuffed with apples and cinnamon. 

Fondue fountains and strawberries to dip in them.

When Anna, Ananya and I finally pulled ourselves away from the market, we made our way into Tate Modern, one of the most famous museums of modern art in the world.

Picasso works could be found all over the museum.

The balcony provides a gorgeous view over the Thames right across to St. Paul's Cathedral.

After scouring the museum high and low, we settled into the bar on the top floor to sit down for iced coffee and drinks, enjoying the gorgeous views.

Feeling satisfied by an afternoon of beautiful art, we grabbed the tube to meet Tori and Kathleen over by Hackney to check out the Hawker House Street Feast, an indoor food market that oozes everything East London.

The market was inside a ginormous warehouse and the walls were flanked by bauble Christmas lights. T\he entire place was crawling with foodie and hipster types.

We got some delicious dishes at Bob's Lobster--ahi tuna tacos, lobster mac and cheese and a delicious buttery lobster roll.

And a scrumptious peanut brittle hot fudge sundae to share!

Satisfied by our yummy street food, we retired back to Pooley House to curl up and watch Bridget Jones' Diary in spirit of living in London.