London Through My Five Senses

Taste 

One of the highlights of going to London for my long study tour with DIS was the incredible food scene. Din Tai Fung was excellent; it is my favorite Taiwanese restaurant in Singapore, and I was so happy they had a location in London. Each piece of Xiao Long Bao was bursting with rich, savory pork broth, and their famous pork cutlet fried rice was the perfect balance of flavor. 

My class went to an Indian restaurant called Dishoom on its trip from Taiwan to India. I loved their chicken tikka masala and could not stop snacking on their delicious garlic naan bread. For a classic English experience, I indulged in high tea at Blenheim Palace. The elegant setting and background instrumental soundtracks of Bridgeton made this moment feel so English. We had delicate finger sandwiches. Brewed English tea, and scones with jam.

 

Sound 

While wandering the streets of London, I encountered many talented street artists. Their melodies and harmonious voices attracted many audiences. One artist played pop covers of popular songs on his guitar, while another sang with a soundtrack in the back with a jazzier and blues tone. 

But Nothing could beat Mama Mia! The Party. This was a high-energy dining and show experience in a Greek island dream. Singing and dancing to ABBA in a setting that felt straight out of Mamma Mia was pure joy. I went to see Wicked in the Theatre for the first time with my class. The moment Elphaba and Garlinda sang Defying Gravity was magical. 

Sight 

My tour visit to Warner Bros Studio was a true dream for any Harry Potter fan. I got to see the set these young actors spent their childhood growing up and walk through the physical rooms of J.K. Rowling's visions of Hogwarts and the Great Hall. There was so much technical work involved in these films. I was amazed by the pure magic and will of these workers dedicated to making these world-renowned films successful. 

The London Eye gave me panoramic views of the city. Seeing a bird's-eye view of Piccadilly Circus and Kensington's facades was breathtaking. 

Smell 

Every corner of London carries its own city scent, layering the city's personality into its streets. Walking through Notting Hill, I breathed in the fresh aroma of flowers from market stalls and the rich scent of coffee drifting from boutique cafes. 

The Churchill War Rooms had a heavy, musty scent of history. The underground bunker smelled of aged paper and concrete, leather-bound chairs, and the faint trace of cigar smoke from past decades. 

The Danish Embassy had a mix of fresh greenery from Hyde Park nearby and the subtle coolness of stone buildings that remind me of Copenhagen. It was where the scents of London and Denmark blended together. 

Touch 

Gripping the London Tube handles, I swayed with the loud underground train's rhythm and felt the slight jolt as the train stopped as I made my way around London.  At Oxford University, I ran my fingers along the iron gates, with their intricate designs. The cold metal felt like a tangible connection to history. 

One of the most surreal moments of the trip was my visit to Wimbledon. I got to sit in the chair where tennis legends answered questions after hard-fought matches. For a moment, I could feel the magic and history embedded in this chair.