Sensory Overload in London (as an American) [Travel Vlog 2024]

[@Tom-xy9yy]

Well worth watching. So much better than the standard tourist videos. Thank you.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@Tom-xy9yy Really appreciate your kind words 🙏🏼 more to come!

[@richardwest6358]

How refreshing to see/hear an American accent NOT accompanied by the words "fish n chips" - "Big Ben" - "Harrods" - "Tower Bridge". Lovely to hear someone who truly understands the benefits of travel, museums and the power of books. Thank you.

[@twigletz7384]

Totally agree

[@vaughanrees7137]

Welcome to the UK. You are absolutely charming in your response to our country.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@vaughanrees7137 Ha thank you I was charmed by London!🤝🏼

[@vwright1021]

A cerebral guide to London. Articulate & considered. Well done. 👏

[@Jos-z5v]

The best type of vlog, and a very rare way to vlog. Most vlogs nowadays just consist of people filming their day with just small talk scattered throughout which is a shame. It’s always great to see someone stop, take it in and then record your thoughts especially in a city like London which as you said can be information overload, it is fourth in the world when it comes to which city has the most museums, many that are free also.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@Jos-z5v Thank you 🙏🏼 It’s hard to slow down in such a fast-paced cities, but I try to use these videos to ground myself and document thoughts that might be encourage personal reflection for others

[@Thierry-l3k]

I’m an American and have been to London more than 50 times. Each time I go I always find something new and interesting that I haven’t visited before. A great city!

[@McGrathPete]

I’m in my 50’s,and have lived on the outskirts of London all my life. Even now most times we go in, we stumble across areas we’ve never seen before. It’s such a visual assault with the old and new architecture, with so many buildings lost in the war. I feel very lucky to have it as my home town.

[@Adeodatus100]

Thanks for a great video about our capital. I live in the north of England but I love visiting London - one of the greatest cities on Earth.

[@frglee]

'Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.' (Samuel Johnson)

[@StewedFishProductions]

And much that one cannot afford..! Me, a Londoner... 🙂😎

[@welshpete12]

@@StewedFishProductions London is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

[@cb361]

Took me around three years.

[@thefollandgnat]

I gave up on London after do a 10-year stint and moved progressively further away, Hants, N Devon, Cumbria. But a bit of me sighs whenever I watch London vids and I remember the good times I had there, in among its infinite extent. Everywhere else seems so dinky, so far from the meat and potatoes of power and influence in comparison. And I had nothing to do with power or influence.

[@thefollandgnat]

edit: "doing"

[@stevo728822]

Many years ago I bought my father a metal detector for Christmas. This led him to join a metal detecting club on the south coast of England. Over a period of 10 years he found many items in farmer's fields such as medieval coins, farming implements, belt buckles, musket shot and bullets, badges, rings etc. His best find was an Iron Age brooch from the 2nd or 3rd century AD, I forget exactly when. It was used to fasten a cape around the shoulders. It was sent to the British Museum for identification and I think it remains in their storage collection. A reminder that these ancient objects now in glass cabinets were once lying in the dirt being dug up with a shovel.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@stevo728822 What an incredible anecdote, thank you for sharing! Amazing to imagine that each artifact in a museum has an underlying story

[@admiralbenbow5083]

If you want never to see something again just send it to the British Museum.

[@freddiemac1438]

One of the best visiting London vlogs I’ve seen on YT. And not the usual tourist venues nor any bubblegum muzak - come back any time mate..

[@Lixmage]

Extremely eloquent, thoughtful, insightful and above all highly interesting take on our capital city, and so beautifully filmed. I would imagine your channel will explode as you make more content - you certainly deserve it. You have a new subscriber from the UK and I can't wait to see your perspective on other countries. A complete breath of fresh air in the travel vlogging world, congratulations, really well done!

[@SolarVibeEnergy]

2nd that isn't he just, not the usual superficial travel vlog vid & can't remember anyone else visiting the amazing museums there maybe one. Next time needs to see the science museum which is amazing although I was just 10 when I went but I hear it's even better now.

[@margaretflounders8510]

@@SolarVibeEnergy And squeeze in the Natural History Museum...

[@tomhedger7013]

Really nice to see a guy who uses his travels like people think they do, to broaden the mind. I'm glad London did this for you, I think that coming to London last was a good idea. It can be a bit overwhelming in its variance but it is certainly a good cap on a European adventure. I do hope that next time you are here you come and see rural Britain, it is a lot more relaxing but just as varied and inspiring in its scope.

[@gdok6088]

Thanks for a great vlog. You really gave a wonderful visual and descriptive taste of London with its diversity, energy, opulence and yes, sensory overload. Although I don't really experience it as a sensory overload. For me it's like a feast for the senses, from stunning architecture spanning over one thousand years, to beautiful and huge city parks along with culture, history, art and such a variety of different vibes and the amazing variety of food itself from across the globe. It truly is a melting pot of civilisation. I absolutely loved the style of your video with your wistful, thoughtful reflections and excellent video editing. Thank you for sharing your appreciation of our capital city. It's a place that I never tire of and always find uplifting.

[@graceygrumble]

Many British people carp about tourists who 'only' visit London and proclaim that London is not representative of the UK as a whole. But, the wonders of the world can be found there, on display, and for free. It is a remarkable city, where you can visit the world in a week... if you have the stamina. You visited the city and not just the landmarks. It's a good place to start. Nicely done. Cities are not really my thing any more. They used to be. Now, I am more into hiking, canoeing, cycling, climbing mountains and disappearing. But, my backpack has to be lighter; portaging is more exhausting; an e-bike is on the cards and the hiking poles, in-Reach and early starts are a must. What a fool I was to waste my youth visiting so many cities!

[@philipmason9537]

And nearly all the London museums are free to enter !!

[@StewedFishProductions]

But also, even the more specialist or niche museums which DO charge, are still cost so much LESS than those in America! But having said that, many of the smaller museums are still FREE, although they may have odd opening hours or only open on certain days of the week. Just a few suggestions in London: The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret, The Welcome Foundation, The Museum of Childhood, The Foundling Museum, Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities... and many more.

[@philipmason9537]

@@StewedFishProductions 👍

[@littlesparrowwitch]

​@@StewedFishProductions Won't be able to locate the Museum of Childhood any more as it's been rebranded as YVA - Young V&A! Coming next year there will also be V&A East and V&A Storehouse (including the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts) in Stratford East! 😊

[@StewedFishProductions]

@@littlesparrowwitch Thanks for the update, the last time I visited it was still the Museum of Childhood. I did know that they had a lot of renovation work undertaken, but just haven't had an opportunity to visit yet.

[@fluffylegs8598]

The Natural History Museum is a museum that I repeatedly go to, cos it's just amazing.

[@MolloyPolloy]

Finest on earth. It's an absolute gem 💎

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

It's the museum I've visited most of all, it really is fascinating. The Natural History Museum also happens to be one of my favourite buildings - the exterior is more grandiose than Buckingham Palace!

[@fullfacility]

If you come back try to London try to go to the V&A (Victoria & Albert Myseum). Arguably London's best museum.

[@grai]

I agree the V&A is beautiful ❤️

[@littlesparrowwitch]

Why thank you kindly - I work at the V&A, please check out the Theatre and Performance section!😊

[@johnbruce2868]

Only if interested in art, design and performance. You cannot make such a subjective comparison and be rational. They're all different and all serve different purposes. It takes all sorts to make a world.

[@InformingChoices]

Very thoughtful and thought provoking comments, brilliantly done.

[@judiharris8796]

Great video. Glad you found the Museum of Brands. It's my favourite and brings back memories of being a child in the 60's and 70's.

[@andrewwatson5324]

It's nice to see outside perspectives of the place where you live. I also liked hearing about your experiences through the lens of your academic background.

[@theukyankee]

Glad you had a fabulous time in my city. It is a fabulous city and sometimes those of us who live here don't appreciate it as much as we could. Glad to see your views and hear your thoughts.

[@Datokah]

It was great to see your appreciation for London's fine museums, but when you were visiting the Natural History Museum you were also literally a stone's throw from two more great museums - the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Science Museum. When you return, it'll be worth checking out those two if you can. Then there are the great art museums, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum....London just A LOT of stuff to see. Then there are the beautiful parks, Richmond, Kew Gardens etc. And yeah, Indian food in London is just great! We're kinda spoiled and take it so much for granted that we live in this great city. It takes the perspective of a visitor to make you really appreciate it, so...cheers for that!

[@SolarVibeEnergy]

Also other places outside London needs min 1 month! I'm sure please love the Roman baths in Bath, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland soo much to see, can't be rushed.

[@markylon]

Did you know the British Library has 1 copy of EVERY SINGLE BOOK ever published?

[@sallysmith9064]

Wow, not sure how long you were in London for but you covered a lot, it's an amazing but sometimes overwhelming city. Good to see the Design Museum, which I love. As someone who's lived life without too much focus (I'm 62), you held mine. What an insightful man.

[@SolarVibeEnergy]

Yes I also said insightful 💯

[@louisekullar6629]

You have one of the nicest American accents for us Brits to listen to ..plus you speak thoughtfully! 😊 you film so well also 🎉

[@paulmckenna9074]

What an interesting video! So different to most of the other travel vlogs we see. Really enjoyed your take on London and how you view things from a different perspective. Well done! Hope to see more from you in the future. 👌

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@paulmckenna9074 Thank you so much 🙏🏼 More to come!

[@jontalbot1]

I am a 69 Brit and visited London many, many times. I always find it exhausting. There is just so much of everything

[@FTFLCY]

A thoughtful, if a little over-thought, vid. Very decent indeed. Nice to see an appreciation of what was my home for 45 years that went more than the usual skin deep.

[@Wonderwoman79G]

I have seen a lot of vlogs about my home town, but I am impressed with your commentary. I love that you visited a lot of museums and enjoyed the diverse food, amongst other things.

[@greencatzsz]

I just found your videos today and I’m finding your forthright monologues while walking around so soothing for some reason lol, glad to see u had a fab time here in the UK 😉

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@greencatzsz Ah that seriously makes me happy to hear 🙏🏼 just sharing some thoughts as I bounce around ha

[@gibguy5705]

Incredibly interesting view of London and your intelligence. So much to see and experience Thank you. Wish others could be so open minded and honest

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@gibguy5705 Thank you for sharing this feedback, it means a lot 🤝🏼 Trying my best to share my thoughts authentically in hopes of encouraging reflection for others

[@chippydogwoofwoof]

I lived in London for nearly ten years and only scratched the surface. The museums are some of the best in the world and most are free to enter which is amazing and there are so many smaller museums that are brilliant two of my favourites are the Horniman museum in south east London which is mostly made up from one mans collection and the surgeon museum there have been times when at the smaller museums when it has just been me the staff and maybe two others. There is so much more to the UK than London but London is definitely a gem in the crown.

[@vandastanley5882]

You are right about sensory overload in London. I feel it whenever I go, which isn' t very often ( I live in the Midlands) I love London but it is so very different to the rest of the country but please consider visiting other parts of the country if you come again. Very thoughtful video.

[@markmark63]

The image of Kings Cross at 11:25 sums up London. Modern buildings - less than 20 years old, built inside the remains of Victorian era gas holders. In the foreground The regent's canal lock - completed in 1819 and still operating today.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

I highly recommend you come down to the South Coast and see, among all the others, Portsmouth and Southsea. Specifically three Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and take your time to see everything you can of HMS Warrior. She was so much more advanced then every single fighting ship in the world, that even fleets would have been destroyed by this one single Ironclad Steamship. No weapon could hurt her, they couldn't even bring guns to bear and every single one of her shots would have found purchase on something critical. People talk about HMS Dreadnought and the Dreadnought revolution. This was more, this was Britain's Hiroshima except we didn't have to do anything but reveal her to the world. Never fired a shot in anger, there was no need, every other sea power knew it would be death. And there's lots more to see, then there's Southampton, Bournemouth, Brighton, Poole and Hastings to see. Hastings has the best fish at Maggie's, by you WILL need to reserve a table. As far as i can tell, no American KZbinr has shown off Maggie's yet.

[@robertmcross1]

Pleased you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Don’t forget the rest of the UK is somewhat different to the Capital city, so should you return,and I hope you do, try out the more rural parts like the West Country, Cotswolds and so many other parts of England not forgetting Wales, Scotland and Ireland, you’ll find them more typical and of course beautiful.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@robertmcross1 Thank you! Absolutely - I would love to explore other parts of the UK sooner than later🤞🏻

[@TheOwlsarewatching606]

why wouldn't the capital city of an excess over 10 million people be different? you completely miss the point of what makes Britain so interesting. It is the variety of all the different beautiful parts.

[@mazmaz1586]

Vladimir G. I hit that sub button so fast. Our backgrounds and ages could not be more different BUT I love your blogs. I recognise and so understand about exposing yourself to different experiences even though it's scary sometimes. You are a kindred spirit but one who was brave enough to wonder and discover and gather knowledge and understand the different intricacies and flavours of each London Borough. These are the things I enjoyed doing when before mobility difficulties and illness kicked in. Now as a 58 year old female who, who did not live her dreams and travel and discover, I am seeing the world through the eyes of someone whose brain is wired similarly. I am living my life vicariously through the travel you experience. I get to know things from the safety and comfort of my home. Yes I still love learning. Thank you so much Vlad for bringing these experiences to me. About to discover more of your adventures outside the UK. Bless you

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@mazmaz1586 Wow. I am moved reading your comment. Thank you for sharing🥲 I really try my best to ground myself in remembering that the opportunity I have to explore is unique and special. It is not something that can be taken for granted. Seriously, thank you for sharing your experience with me. I’ll carry your energy with me as I continue the journey 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@vinnywarren2144]

One of the best KZbin videos I've ever watched.You are a very interesting nice guy and I wish you well in everything you do👍🇬🇧

[@Michael-mr3rv]

So refreshing to hear a view of our Capital from a different viewpoint. Your presentation made me realise how fortunate I am to live in Greater London, and how stupid I have been not to experience all that is on my doorstep. Good lucwith your travels , and your future. 👍

[@KC-gy5xw]

Boy, Camden Market looks so... CLEAN these days.. I think it's lost something from losing it's roughness... Old Spitalfields!! Hah, we had to almost climb over the gates about 20 years ago, before it took on the shiny appearance. Another place that has lost a certain something from being polished up...

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

Yeah, it's been a long while since I've been to Camden Market (used to go there a LOT!) and like you, I couldn't believe the change.

[@petermontgomery8707]

Camden is Disneyland now. It used to be that all life was there. Not now.

[@ulus2109]

Ah, you're in the UK now! I agree with that you said about information we consume. There's also the importance of telling the difference between the quality of information vs. the quantity (abundance of information), which can be misleading. It's a skill by itself to learn, which comes with time the more we read and experience.

[@rianbeckham2158]

Agreed! 🙌

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@ulus2109 My videos are lagging about a month behind so this is from the end of August! Great to see you here, Ulus 🤝🏼 Absolutely agreed - ideally we prioritize learning from primary sources as much as possible, but taking the time to do so isn’t easy. However, studying philosophy can certainly help us see through logical fallacies 🙂

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@rianbeckham2158 Thanks for watching, Rian 😄 hope you enjoyed

[@ChrisGBusby]

As someone who lived in London for many years (and still lives a short train journey away) it always surprises me how Americans are so taken aback by the history and age of London To us it's just London and fairly normal. A pretty typical UK city, just a bit bigger. It is exceptionally multicultural (most of those "foreign" people you meet are not "foreign", they live in London). Let's face it, it's existed since 47AD with the USA from 1,492AD (or, probably, 1,000AD with the Vikings) For native Americans it's 11,000BC - natives to England........ 500,000BC). Your video is great and thoughtful, despite the very common error of Big Ben :P (It's the bell, not the tower).

[@Jill-mh2wn]

The first time I have come across one of your videos ,I shall look out for more. I appreciated the intelligent commentary on your personal philosophy which overlaid the pictorial content . As a UK citizen who many years ago lived in the capital, I was so pleased that you included areas outside the strictly touristy parts ,showing where most of London`s citizens live ,although they were mostly the picturesque ones. In the 1950s I lived for a while in the Notting Hill area and ,believe me it was very down market ,as a lot of refurbishing was done well after the WW2 years .

[@Datokah]

The UK economy, and London physically, took such a long time to recover after WW2. It finally feels like it has been fully rejuvenated.

[@Jill-mh2wn]

@@Datokah We had an obligation to help the war torn Europe first . Our trials did not include famine, unlike those countries that were over run which included Germany .

[@denisoleary5302]

Welcome, and ah yes, information overload

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@denisoleary5302 In the best way haha

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

It’s great to see a London Vlog that includes the beautiful parks and walking along leafy roads. London is an amazing city with so many green spaces.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yv Absolutely! so many places to slow down. I especially loved Holland Park and Hyde Park

[@gordonsmith8899]

A thoughtful young man - a delight to listen to.

[@RichardJayJr-vz8ev]

🇺🇸 you are definitely needed with the traveling market. Probably the most upscale and intelligent “Travel Host.” Finally! Now following you. Honolulu 🏖️🏄🏼‍♂️🍍🌴🚢🇺🇸

[@peterd788]

London is more than the capital of the UK. There are global cities and global+ cities but there are only two global++ cities and they are London and New York.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@peterd788 Well said!

[@fayesouthall6604]

London, Capital of England, Edinburgh Capital of Scotland, Cardiff Capital of Wales. Capital of the U.K. isn’t a thing.

[@puskascat]

@@fayesouthall6604 Isn't it? It's where the UK legislature is.

[@martyn420]

@@fayesouthall6604 London has been the de facto capital of the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since the Act of Union 1707 (as amended). It is internationally recognised as the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[@oldman1734]

Not sure I agree about New York. I’ve been there several times, though not recently. It’s just a city, lots of people, lots of traffic, but nothing that seems amazing. The buildings are often very tall, of course, but that doesn’t add-up to much. See one tall building and you’ve seen them all.

[@davidfussell5735]

I love the building itself where the natural history museum is, beautiful building

[@mattbentley9270]

What a great post this made my heart sing ! Nice one handsome

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@mattbentley9270 Thank you for the kind words 🙏🏼 really glad to hear you appreciate the video

[@JohnResalb]

English aside, I think Helsinki is probably something more equivalent to small-town-USA. London is on the world stage with places like New York. I see planes coming in to land every 90 seconds, and that's only ONE airport - we have 3 / 4 in the London area. And these planes have to be mostly full of people, otherwise they wouldn't run the service. Was it your first time? Come again.

[@carltonurwin3923]

Very interesting thoughts and opinions. Thank you for sharing. London is an amazing, green, buzzing city.

[@thefollandgnat]

Much more thoughtful and reflective than the bog-standard "Oh, it's so cute, it's so quaint, I can't believe people live in these houses, they're so old" Yanks in Brit-land vids. Cheers.

[@SolarVibeEnergy]

💯

[@barrylarryharry7183]

I've just subbed. I haven't watched your videos or even seen your channel before; but I found this video to be very easy-going, relaxed and honestly just very well-rounded.

[@stevesilk51]

Excellent reflection on our great Capital. Thankyou

[@mauricelittlewood7369]

A mighty impressive video: lovely to hear your thoughts on my home city. Even though I now live on the south coast, I still take a trainride in every other week just to soak up the atmosphere.

[@claregale9011]

You should have gone to the imperial War museum too , did you go inside westminster Abbey ?it's full of Tombs of old kings and queens and the architecture inside is second to none 😊

[@G02372]

I enjoyed this Vlog. I love American’s but most ‘Americans in London’ videos focus purely on food and the differences between the US and UK rather than the history and architecture etc. 👍

[@RonSeymour1]

Just to stand and look at the architecture of the Natural History Museum is an experience in itself.

[@bigsmudger9552]

A very refreshing perspective of London and life in general. Best wishes Sir.

[@LewisRowe-id6kr]

Excellent video. I think you chose wisely what to see and do. You have an excellent eye for things too.

[@simonrichert1886]

A really articulate, intelligent, insightful vid, for both residents and visitors to the UK. And one thing that the UK does do well.... Pubs and pub culture.... Nothing beats being out with mates in a nice pub

[@johnmurphy2987]

Such a interesting watch respect to you ❤️✌️✌️

[@ducatiman1309]

Hey lad - great intelligent observations !!! Thankyou !!!

[@PsychicLord]

London has a little over 200 museums, many of which are off the tourist trail.

[@ThisIsVladG]

Crazy to think that it would take a lifetime to scratch the surface of exploring them all

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

A great upload, a great watch, intelligent, articulate and good viewing. However, as a person who isn't living in that neck of the woods, it does highlight what so many around the United Kingdom say about London. Everything for London, usually at the expense of everywhere else. We have a thing now, it's called levelling up. This isn't working. Before any haters say about the north, moaning and groaning about things. I'm not in the North. I'm from deepest, darkest southwest. I mean right down the very bottom of the UK. But I do have friends from others parts of the UK who completely agree with my sentiments. London, a couple of the other large cities get the investment. Usually to the detriment of everyone else.

[@Diovanlestat]

As a Londoner, this is totally true. Government binds the rest of the country with restrictive rule and stops them from being financially independent. We know all this, and many in London don't like it. It breeds resentment, limits diversity from other places and makes Lodon an overcrowded Supermagnet. Unfortunately, we don't know what the average Londoner can do to help the rest of the family. Even the H20 train failed, as did moving the BBC to other places. We care, but the average citizen here isn't in charge,

[@TheOwlsarewatching606]

thats coplete rubbish.

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

@@Diovanlestat I think, on the face of it, we all knew that HS2 would probably not come to a final conclusion. The facts as presented, was that it would help create a northern powerhouse. But as ever, the powers that be started work on the project with the largest amount of major building works in London. I have friends that work, live in London. Many regret the fact that they moved away from their roots because of the things you've mentioned. I actually now live in West Sussex. From where I live, I can get on the train pretty much all day, go to London in next to no time. They leave here and come back so regularly. Whereas for instance, Plymouth, you get in total about 8 trains a day. It took me from there, 11 hours to get to the then Eurostar terminal at Waterloo. People that I know that did move away from the South West are now beginning to retire and move back "home". Many are now glad that where they're going, it's more difficult to get to. Selfish, yes, but it's the way things are. I've said before, to go 5 miles, to a local supermarket by bus in Plymouth, 8 hour round trip. Imagine that as a London based person?

[@SolarVibeEnergy]

1st time watching great vid with captions of the places, your deep, zen like, insightful with a thirst & love for the world 🌍 may we have more like you 👍😉👍 (life lesson to those who have hate I hope you realise there's a better way like this to live life. Good luck with growing your channel you deserve millions of subs.

[@robertadkins-r2b]

Good thought provoking video, the small museums and places in town are sometimes easier to cope with than the vast establishments. With the thought of Less is sometimes more. I'll end, very well done great vid

[@claveworks]

As a Brit who has also visited the Met, I have to say it is also a great experience just like the British Museum, so me and my colleague pretty much jumped straight into the Egypt stuff followed by Arms and Armour - but it was all great, and huge too, so I rate both places on the same level. Side note, this was purely by chance as we set out that day to visit the World Trade Centre, but the clouds were so bad that there would have been no view from the top...

[@davidgray3321]

The British lion is the symbol of the Empire not the monarchy. The monument is Nelson’s Column, it is about the loss of Nelson at Trafalgar, he was our greatest Admiral and Trafalgar our greatest naval victory.

[@VauxhallViva-s8x]

The lion has been a symbol of monarchy long before we had an Empire, going back to William the Conqueror. The lion is on the Royal Standard and Royal coats of arms for that very reason.

[@davidgray3321]

@@VauxhallViva-s8x There are the three lions, quiet a different thing, a single lion is sometimes included in monarchical symbols (the British like mythological representations , and animals out of context) but the big butch lion that looks like it’s being doing weight training is the British Empire lion, as represented at Nelsons Column. All the best DG

[@geoffmelvin6012]

Excellent video. Some interesting observations.

[@BeckyPoleninja]

Yup London is twice the size of New York

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@BeckyPoleninja The scale is mind blowing!

[@grai]

Thanks for the blog Fantastic to see London from an American point to view As a Londoner myself I have the luxury of being able to visit galleries and museums and leave once I reach saturation point even if that's just after 30 minutes then go back after a few months I also make a planned visit and rather than wandering I go directly to the Rembrandt section of the National Gallery for example and only do that for the visit Of course as a visitor on a limited time you can't do that but I really sympathised with your sensory overload But well done for seeing so much and filming it as well Really enjoyed it 👍

[@daffyduk77]

Glad you've gotten something out of it. Obviously, London is not remotely representative of the UK, behaviour-wise & in many other ways. For good or ill.

[@ThisIsVladG]

Have heard that to be the case - pretty interesting how much gravity that single city pulls within the UK

[@daffyduk77]

@@ThisIsVladG Back in the day, it's where you'd go to "make your fortune" or in my case, 40 years ago, a 20 year IT career. But as soon as I'd saved enough to afford a deposit on a house somewhere cheaper, outside London, I was off. Good for entertainments & links to Europe. NYC is probably a bit like that

[@marieparker3822]

I'd never heard if 'The museum of Brands'. Thanks for telling me about it.

[@dereknewbury163]

Good thoughtful piece

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@dereknewbury163 Seriously thank you so much🙏🏼

[@richardharrison284]

Great video. As you interested in "holistic" go down the rabbit hole of Jan Smuts, who coined the term. A very complex and interesting personality.

[@ThisIsVladG]

Interesting, will do - thank you for the suggestion

[@hesketh1965]

London calling: Great overview of Central London and excellent eulogy to solo traveling. My one, slightly offbeat, recommendation for tourists visiting our town is to take the guided tour of Highgate Cemetery (west). It takes about an hour and costs about $12.50 and it’s fascinating.

[@clarea-s6779]

Great video.thank you so much for your efforts

[@sailingby]

Great video - glad you enjoyed London 😀

[@user-man-guinon80]

Great vlog. Nice to have a more intellectual perspective. You made a lot of sensible observations about London, and breaking out of the feeling of isolation that you had experienced during your travels. Cheers ! Sheffield South Yorkshire. PS in some ways information seems to have dumbed the senses of many people !

[@OriginalNiceButOdd]

Indian curry isn’t actually Indian per se; it was created by Brits during the British Raj by mixing locally sourced foods. Fun fact for you as you mentioned Indian food 👍

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@OriginalNiceButOdd oh wow I was not aware of that - that’s very interesting! thanks for sharing

[@ib9rt]

@@ThisIsVladG It's partly true. There is for sure an abundance of generic "Indian restaurant food" in the UK, but if you pick your restaurants carefully, especially in London, you will find authentic regional Indian cuisine. From your video here, it seems you are quite discerning about the food that you choose, so I imagine you ate some good things while in London. And if you visit India, you will quickly find the idea that "people in India don't eat curry" is entirely false.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@ib9rt I thoroughly enjoyed the indian food I was able to try in London! Hopefully I’ll make it to India one day sooner than later to experience it straight from the source 🤞🏻

[@redsquirrel1086]

Most cosmopolitan city in the world.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@redsquirrel1086 Definitely!

[@rebeccat94]

Speaking as an English person, but also speaking as a well travelled person, and as someone who spent years living in the States: London and New York are the most global, dynamic, all round interesting cities in the world (mo). London has better infrastructure and old architecture, but New York has better new architecture and more amazing views.

[@An-lv9vw]

Safer than American cities any day esp those in Mid west and Southern US

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@An-lv9vw Felt relatively safe from my experience!

[@BeckyPoleninja]

Btw great vlog...if you comeback, tour the country

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@BeckyPoleninja most definitely 🤞🏻

[@andriygrygorenko2622]

Great vlog!

[@ellenoneill7853]

I have just finished a degree in the UK. Try to keep to primary sources and look at both sides of the argument and state them both. Then, using your own judgement, decide which one to go with or what perspective seems to fit. There is so such propaganda around atm to get bogged down in. Anyway, so glad you enjoyed my city of birth.

[@welshpete12]

The thing to remember about London . It is not like the rest of the UK . It is one of the four main business centers in the world . For that reason it is possible to hear over a hundred languages spoken walking down the street . All museums in center London are free and are well worth visiting , also the Tower of London . If you would like to see what the real British are like . Go to a small village , there are hundreds of very pretty little villages here. Book into B&B , not a hotel and visit the local pub . There is always someone to chat too . If you are American , you will be most welcome .

[@littlesparrowwitch]

Or simply step outside the tourist trap of the square mile! I don't believe a small village is more what the real British are like, how many can afford to live in such places? I live in East London in social housing, I'd say that is more representative of the life of the majority of Brits!

[@Memo420UK]

Theres a irish pub near ChinaTown called "O'Connors" Check it out, it has a literap tree growing inside it. Its like something out of Harry Potter

[@Jaime7000]

Waxy o connors

[@seeker1432]

You know, People can condem Britains collections within its Museum, But they are there on display and not in an individuals safe of differant Nations leaders. What im saying is everyone can enjoy them now, But if they had never been taken, They would of most likerly disapeared long ago. Imagine what happened with what all those grarve robbers of Egypt took.. Where are those artifacts now. No doubt in individuals personal collections or safes.

[@puskascat]

Most of the grave robbing took place during pharaonic times! Probably reused by other pharaohs.

[@zaftra]

There's nothing complicated about how the collection was assembled. Artifacts were rescued from certain oblivion becasue the natives didn't want them then; they want them now due to their value only, and they are now valuble becasue the British made them that way for highlighting their importance.

[@SC-mt9ph]

Enjoyed

[@puskascat]

Goodness me, you got around fast, and to the less obviously touristy places too. Holland Park and Camden are more second and third visit destinations.

[@antonycoan9424]

Great video

[@suburbia2050]

Good point about large cities having their challenges but you can get a lot out of them if you are focussed e.g. student/artist/starting a career or say open minded as a visitor/tourist. I like the sedgeway you made from the "city" to information. Shame you didn't get to visit the Victoria and Albert museum.

[@anthonyferris8912]

If 'everybody' has a British accent, you can't be in london.

[@ThisIsVladG]

@@anthonyferris8912 Bahaha yes quite a diverse city

[@virtualal]

Too true !

[@kimwilson3863]

😂true dat

[@bar10ml44]

@@ThisIsVladGIslam is anything but diverse. London is now majority Islam which is anything but diverse

[@johnallan4826]

Full of hard right tories

I would like to draw your attention to Museum of Brands. It was formerly London Lighthouse, a hospice for people with AIDS and lasted as such until 2013. Hundreds of people ended their lives there. I personally witnessed two of them die.

[@billybudd5854]

It's sad that in this new age of information the majority of people seem to use the immense intellectual resources at their fingertips to learn more about their favourite reality TV stars and watch videos of cats doing silly things! Going back to the subject of London, it's worth mentioning that it is comfortably top of the list of the most populated cities in Europe in terms of the green spaces and parks it contains. There are European cities, such as Oslo, that contain more greenery as a proportion of their total space, but they are always much smaller in size.

[@davidgray3321]

To sum up what this gentleman thought of London remember the famous quote:- “When a man is tired of London he is tired of life.” By Samuel Johnson

[@Yougottalaugh-p9u]

Down the road from the Natural history museum is the Victoria & Albert museum, shame you did not get to see it.