This month is filled with travel. Also, I swear that when I leave the country, I dress my best. I need to bring this style back home with me.
I moved to Norway two years ago for about 10 months, and ever since then, I haven’t been able to sit down for longer than three months. I used to feel like I was running away from something, but now I feel like I’m running toward the best version of myself. Which has always been filled with curiosity about the world, community, and at my core being a creative.
!First stop is London!
Cheers to great flight deals through Virgin Atlantic. The only reason I’m able to take this trip... is because of this cheap flight. All these extra stops along the way are basically an extra-credit assignment. I’m only supposed to be going to Rotterdam, Netherlands for a showcase festival where I’ll be performing three times. Which is exhilarating, but I’m very grateful!
The highlight of the trip was the speakeasy cocktail bars. I don’t even like to drink, but I stumbled into two spots that made me rethink my whole beef with alcohol lol.
1) Hidden Grooves (Shoreditch, London)
- Vinyl records cover the entire place
- Beautiful music radiated through the handcrafted wooden speakers
- Bartender who is genuinely passionate about making you a drink you’ll remember
- I ordered “Drop by Drop” (a very snazzy drink)
-To my surprise, the drink came with powder around the entire cup (raspberry), with one dollop of balsamic vinegar & basil oil in the center… how does one discover this flavor combination??
- I took one sip and knew I had messed up. Best drink I’ve ever had 😭🍸
Address: Hidden Grooves, 45 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT
2) Scales (London)
I truly stumbled into this speakeasy called Scales just looking for a place to chill before our next stop. We walked in, and it looked like a regular, cute, upscale wine/spirit store, but to our surprise, behind a door and down a few steps, there’s a dungeon-like speakeasy covered with pictures of dogs in cute outfits. There’s a little lab in the back and a bar that is so intimate. I was in love without even having a drink.
Then the owner, who is so passionate about all things drinks, handed me their “Grapefruit” (with jalapeños). On this trip, I realized I love spice. Anything that burns my throat with ginger, jalapeño, anything like that is my favorite. I must get that from my Ethiopian grandmother 😂🌶️
Also, I love that Scales names its drinks by flavor. It’s so simple and straightforward, and it just works.
Address: Scales, 25 Duke Street, London W1U 1DJ
♾️Vocabulary word of the trip: Intentionality.
Everything and everyone felt so intentional. Every concept, whether a simple matcha shop, a speakeasy, or a ramen bar, had the most elaborate themes, and they were fully executed. I sat in awe, most days admiring the decor and the commitment to the ideas. I will be taking that home with me, stored in my carry-on, so there is no chance of it getting lost in the undertow.
All in all, I’m really enjoying London, and I feel very creative. I think a lot of great songs are going to come out of this adventure 🎶
