England: Ace Vela (Derivé)

Program: UW Global Launch in London

On one random Saturday, I woke up to messages from two other members of the cohort who had plans to go to Camden Town. I, for one, had very distinct plans to not leave my bed for the entire day, but something got me on my feet and motivated me to go explore the market. After very busy tube rides, we arrived.

While the other two had shopping and food goals, I was simply there to walk aimlessly around letting my eyes trace all the color and life of the streets I would not be seeing had I not made the last-minute decision to go.

I was delighted by the environment of Camden Town, and especially by the diverse foods, the little shops we jumped around to find the best deals, and the life of the different cultural scenes that danced upon the streets enjoying their own time about. My friends and I walked around taking advantage of all the free samples of food we were offered, pointing out the clothes and objects we would love to buy, and sitting back to enjoy the show where one of us intensely tried to bargain with a shopkeeper for a lower price on a nice jacket. After being called Amy Winehouse at a train station, we also found a statue of her where I posed next to as though she was my twin.

I would love to revisit Camden Town one day to take full advantage of all the foods they have to offer and visit more of the shops that struck my attention when I arrived there for the first time.

The lively and unique architecture of the area really encapsulated the diversity and the acceptance of everyone of all kinds of backgrounds that built this community into something so incredible to explore and experience today. It also feels like it encapsulated a part of London’s general diversity across the city which was inspiring for me to see and a lovely connection I made with my home Chicago, where all different walks of life can only make these cities even greater. I was left with a memory that made me glad I decided to get up from my bed that morning.