Havana, Cuba - July 2013

My blogging has been VERY inconsistent. I apologise. To be honest I don't know how many people are still reading this blog...

I've been doing quite a lot this summer; travelling, festivals, going out for dinner... and watching a heap of YouTube videos - if you call that an activity. But for most days I sit in front of my computer doing... god knows?... for hours. And I always forget to blog.

None of that anymore! So I'll tell you what I've been up to this summer... before summer's over.

Firstly, I'll start with my trip to Cuba in July.

My dad and I went to Havana, Cuba, for six days. I've been to a few places in the Caribbean but none of them were like Cuba. Havana feels like living in the past. It is a country where there's no internet access for residents, vintage cars from the 60s/70s and homes that have not been re-decorated since it was made.

This may sound like an unattractive place to live but the city has so much beauty. Even though buildings and homes were run down and the paintwork was slowly scratching off, it showed so much history and remind me of what cities in Spain would look like in the 60s. Obviously there is a great Spanish influence, and also a retro American influence - Chevys and retro Miami looking apartments.


On the down side, poverty is very apparent there. I don't want to create a depressing tone, but it's a communist country where the people want so much to change and to modernise, however the government won't have it, so things economically are moving very slowly. I do partly agree with everyone making the same wage, I'm all for equality and fairness, but most Cubans earn only £23/5 a month and they can survive by that - is that really fair Communism?

Too many italics in that, I know.

Using the word survive means 'JUST about living'. Who wants to be 'just about living' for your whole life? Most of these Cubans, but not all, have to live their lives like this.

Ok, NOW the tone of this post is turning depressing. I'll show you pictures of my trip now.

Bare in mind, the pictures may look interesting and archaic, but these are just pictures, imagine yourself seeing this - everyday.

 *A lot of these photos were taken whilst driving. It was the best way to discover the city. So sorry for the reflection of the window, my photography skills will improve - some day.

Top Japanese Restaurants in London

Are you tired of having cold sushi with the hard rice inside? Are you tired of the same old Katsu Curry and Teriyaki stuff?? Are you tired of soups that just taste like tasteless water???

Forget YO Sushi and Wagamama's  (...for like a sec, cos I know they are yummy places)

And read about my favourite Japanese restaurants!

Koya

A few weeks ago, on a Saturday night I had a dinner date with my friend at Koya, Soho, London. Koya is small and compact authentic Japanese restaurant where you can find the best tempura, udon noodles and soups. Being my second time having a meal at Koya, you would think that I'd try something unusual and interesting that appeals to me because I've been there before. But no, I chose the exact same meal as before. Even though it was months and months ago that I went for the first time, I could still taste that crispy prawn tempura, slowly melting in the hot refreshing soup. Mmm...

If you are ever in the area of Central London, freezing your butt off, and feel like your fingers, toes and nose are going to fall off then waddle yourself into Koya so you can warm up with a tempura soup you'll never forget.

Tokyo Diner

Before my dad and I went to see that new Spiderman film. We always, religiously, go and find somewhere to eat first - so we don't pig out on popcorn and ice cream in the cinema. So we found this place on the corner of Chinatown that looked quite special. 

We have this theory that if you see Japanese people eating in a Japanese restaurant, then you know it's a good Japanese restaurant. Right?

It was probably the most authentic Japanese restaurant I've ever been to because they told us as a Japanese tradition they do expect tips. Any tips left mistakenly would be taken to the Homeless centre. As a student you'd be pleased to hear this, but I'm not gonna lie, the prices of meals seemed as if the tips were added on by itself. 

The menu was jam packed with a wider range of meals all popping out at me. I usually order chicken teriyaki meals, as a safe bet in Japanese restaurants that I'm unsure of. As I knew this place was authentic as it gets, I decided to choose something that I knew the taste of - so I would know the difference between real and unique, and chain restaurants. 

I've never tasted such a fresh chicken glazed in mouth-watering seasoned teriyaki sauce before. Just look at the picture, you can even see how good it looks.

I haven't been there since, but from what I remember they give you great portions of food, miso soups with meals, gallons of  Jasmine tea and heaps of goodness. 

Wireless Festival: The Weeknd

Yesterday I went to one of the best day festivals you could ever go to.

Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London set up tents for acts such as Professor Green, Example, Angel, Delilah, Wiz Khalifa, The Weeknd, Labrinth, Tulisa, Rita Ora, Nero, The Dream, D'banj, Nicki Minaj and, my future hubby, Drake.

Yep, all those acts for the price of basically one of those A-list artists. The weather wasn't brilliant, but as long as you have your weelies, rain-mac and your best singing in the rain voice, you're good to go.

I was super excited to see The Weeknd, as he doesn't do that many tours, this festival was a must. I've only been a favourite of his for only some time now. But I was instantly mesmerized by his cool and seduction voice. He. Is. Amazing. Live. He sounds just as good live, actually even better, then recordings. If you haven't already heard his masterpieces, see below.

Oh yeah, and Drake was incredible. Obviously. To be frank, the sound system wasn't that good, because it is in an open space and I was a bit far away from the stage, nevertheless myself and the crowd around me rapped, sang and danced in perfect unison.

The Weeknd : image taken on instagram

Graffiti @ Brick Lane

Had a strolling down Brick Lane, East London, today. I always forget how uber-cool the graffiti is down there. It's graffiti at it's best. No bad spelling swear words or tags or abnormal drawings of gentiles. Just the coolest, most attractive and admirable graffiti  (no, I should say), street art in London. 

Look at the detail on that! How incredible...