This is why:
Cabbies who know exactly which hotel you’re talking about. Baked beans and bangers for breakfast. Greek yogurt. Walkability, oh, sweet walkability. Lovely, charming old architecture. Sipping a decaf latte on a chilly, sunny morning. Coffee shop baristas who don’t shoot you nasty, sideways looks for using the bathroom without purchasing a drink. Sidewalk etiquette. Exceptional manners. Parks and parks and parks with friendly squirrels who approach you to ask for a snack (yes, really, and then follow you down the sidewalk even after you’ve shown that you have no snacks to share). Getting my hair cut for the first time in a year-and-a-half. Being called any of the following, by women and men: Love, Darling, Dear. The swans in front of Buckingham Palace. Clean, effective public transportation. Take-away cafes with a marvelous selection: bento boxes, curry tofu with edamame, sesame-teriyaki chicken. FISH & CHIPS AND A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE. Great accents (duh). Great fashion sense. Thoughtful news reporters hosting meaningful interviews with educated individuals. Pedestrian-focused neighborhoods. Microscopic urban grocery stores that carry the following items (despite their small size): rice krispie treats, chocolate milk, gourmet coconut-vanilla flavoured popcorn, Nutella, Burt’s Bees lip balm, kiwis, bananas, oranges, and Cadbury Creme Eggs. Victoria’s Secret. GAP. H&M. Banana Republic. Department stores filled with lovely, shiny things. Trying on clothes before purchasing them. Peaceful, beautifully-designed art galleries and museums with inspiring works by famous artists. Knowing that I’ll be back in March—this time with Sam.

{Above: Photo taken inside a bathroom stall at the National Gallery.}