Why Do You Keep Visiting London?
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- čas přidán 21. 01. 2024
- Why do I keep going to London? Mostly the spice, let's be honest. Interested in a Jay-Style bespoke Paris itinerary? Head to parisinmypocket.com/plan and help me make better videos at / jayswanson 🥳
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My name is Jay Swanson - I'm an American writer living in Paris on an artist visa. Paris (yes the one in France) has been my home for years now and I have every intention of staying here for as long as they'll have me. I write science-fiction and fantasy, vlogged daily for 3+ years, and love pizza a little too much. Now I make videos about visiting Paris, traveling in Europe, and try to share what I've learned along the way. I hope you enjoyed what you found.
Links are affiliate links where they can be - meaning if you click through them and buy something, I'll get some pennies. Thanks! (The FTC wants me to tell you that up front)
Patron Producer: Steve Leis
Edited by: One of those beers
Music by: @dcuttermusic
![Unpopular Opinion [BTS]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6EC_tU6zgac/mqdefault.jpg)
"It's a train ride away" I miss living in Europe SO MUCH! It's incredible how you can just get on a train or a plane and go to another country with a complete different architecture and cuisine! And it's great to see you enjoying that!!
I really want to take better advantage of it!
A train ride away - it sometimes costs £300 return lol eurostar has become a rip off if you dont book weeks or months ahead.
@@tomlengyel01 as you said, if you plan ahead is affordable. Not to mention there are other ways of traveling with planes and buses, I've lived in Europe as a student and I managed to travel a lot and got some pretty good deals by planning my trips or just checking out the companies' websites for some good promos.
When I lived in Paris I went to London for a mental health break because I was swimming in the deep end of the French language pool (I arrived not speaking a word, and was there for long-term work) and I needed an occasional respite to allow my brain to settle.
YES!
I so love French culture ,food basically everything !
But I understand missing speaking in your native tongue .
Ahhhhhh……always sooooo good, and fun to watch! I’ll definitely connect with P in my P/ Plan next visit! ✨
I’m an American living in London with an American friend who has lived in France (not Paris) for 30 years. Since I moved to London a few years ago she went from zero trips to London to averaging twice a year lately. She loves it. We go to art exhibits together when she visits and she takes in west end shows and eats a variety of food that is harder to come by back home. Her most recent visit she said that she used to not understand people choosing city life but after spending time with us she gets it now.
How have you managed to move to London? For work, or did you just do it? I came for the first time last year and loved it, and I could imagine living there. Some day, maybe!
I moved with my husband and two kids for work. We’ve actually lived in a few different cities and countries since 2015 when we first decided to say yes to an opportunity to move abroad. It’s not perfect but no place is and we like living in London a lot.
2:22 Indian Bento Box is a nice name but a Thali (Assorted Platter) is what we’d call it.
I'm Parisian, born in Paris, I confirm, you know more about Paris than me ...
😆 I'll do my best to share what I know
Love Paris Love London Love watching you float around and drink coffee 👍💕
Thank you!
Boy, this resonated. Just home from 4 days in Paris and wish I had made a firm itinerary. Did OK, tapping your 2022 pdf as much as possible. We had fun, but it was stressful planning our meals (timing).
I'm glad you have fun! Hopefully next time I can jump in to prevent a little more stress 🥂
The anxiety I feel when you get shots of you leaving the metro from inside the train is unreal. Props for your dedication to the angle 😂
😂
I like being called an explorer at ❤. I enjoy watching you travel and share your experiences.
Thanks for coming along on the adventure 🥂
I would like to see you do: a) some other regions in France; and b) Italy.
I am not opposed to either of those =D
I love wondering around London…….you get to experience my two favorite cities! I have to say I am jealous, but love seeing your adventures ❤
Jay I am taking a solo trip this summer to Paris and I will DEF be purchasing Paris in my pocket and a day or two itinerary with your site! If you’re able to of course, you’ve made me so much more excited to go this year because I feel like as a first timer I will not feel as overwhelmed as many would in my sitution. Loving these mini vlogs!
Stoked to help! I'm really glad you're feeling up for it - on the Paris side of my life, my hope in sharing daily life in Paris is to do exactly that, normalize it and make it feel more comfortable and accessible. Easier entries into the city that way =D
So I met a Senior High School student at the school Crabfest Saturday in San Francisco. We both started talking about your show before we love Paris!!! She especially loves your trips to London because she lived there there after her burth in Dubai. I am 77 and I have been to Paris 23 times beginning in 1981. Same hotel on Rue Coypel.
@@claudiajackson3288Hope you don’t mind me hijacking and squeezing in here but I’m hoping to go to Paris for the first time later in the year (finances allowing), I’ve checked out the hotel you’ve stayed in and am planning to stay there as well. Just thought you’d like to know :)
Thanks for taking us along on your London jaunts!
Thanks for coming along! Way more fun if I can share them 🥰
Haven't you walked across Paris, TWICE? S to N and E to W. I adored those videos. I believe I actually watched them in live time. Yeah, I would say that you've seen more of Paris than most Parisians.
Every time I think I've found a new Invader, nope. Already flashed 😂 I can't even remember where I HAVE been
Ok. All those shots. I am just floored by the cuts. From leaving the tube to walking away. Just getting off the subway must take you a little while. 1:11
There's a reason I've tried to start leaving way earlier than I need to to get anywhere😂
Your trust in London is VERY HIGH, the way you keep leaving your camera around there... hyper panic attack on my side. London is known for people rolling by on scooters and snatching mobile phones, you're a very trusting brave individual
Just aiming to keep my situational awareness up =D
Im an American living in Barcelona and London is always my “escape” when I need to get out of town a few days to reset.
It's fantastic for an escape
Hi Jay! If you like wandering around London, I would suggest you check out a fellow youtuber of yours - Joolz Guides. He does little tours around very many neighbourhoods of the city and shares interesting bits about the buildings, the history of the neighbourhood etc. It would certainly be cool if somebody in Paris did something similar. As for seeing a city through the eyes of somebody who actually lives there - I prefer that much more than hopping from one tourist attraction to another. It gives you the actual sense of the city itself. And you must be doing a great job at that with recommending people the places that you actually visit at a daily basis👍
I'll check him out! Thank you =D There are so many different takes on cities on CZcams - Wandering Turnip's series "Death of the High Street" is a bit more depressing but offers a totally different take as well.
I love Joolz! He’s funny, quirky. A hoot!
You should definitely visit Scotland. There are some nice holiday homes there.
London is one of the best cities in the world to just wander around - pick your neighbourhood, learn a little of the history, watch a few 'London walks' CZcams videos and that's your day right there - stop off in a pub, café, restaurant when you feel like it. You don't have to spend a fortune. Many of the big attractions are too crowded and can be very expensive - but the back streets are often charming with fascinating surprises; many museums and churches are free to enter and the pubs along the riverside are a joy in summer - just watch the world sail by.
The history is another layer I need to dive deeper into
I booked myself, my wife and 2 adult sons day trips to London, Germany and Normandy on our 18 day trip to France. Just to break the monotony. Coming from the US and not using public transit since visiting NYC in 2004 had me a little nervous. Your videos help with my anxiety about it and made the decisions so much easier. I couldn't stomach driving in Europe.
That is such a wonderful birthday trip! A very unique view of the city - the tuk tuks! Maybe Siem Reap next?
I live about 100 miles from London but hadn't been in a while so decided on a trip. I'm totally addicted to all things London now so loved this video. I really enjoyed a visit to the National Portrait gallery just off Trafalgar Square which has recently reopened after a renovation, totally an amazing collection of portraiture that spans hundreds of years and well worth a visit. Love London pubs also, many of them have so much history..
Borough Market is excellent for food and not too pricey and such a great vibe.
1:40 That shop behind him "Pause" is actually a pretty decent sandwich shop, and the prices are quite reasonable compared to the other options in the neighbourhood.
So many good places to try =D
8:16 good to see you going into a Fuller's pub. They're primarily a brewery in west London, so if you're buying their own brand beers in their locations, it's so much cheaper than buying a pint of the known-world-wide brand names. They have a nice bitter that isn't super strong so you can continue to sup as you eat some good food and get merry but not blind drunk.
One other pub chain like that is Nicholson's. Whenever my wife and I get back to London, we go to the White Lion between Covent Garden markets and the tube station. Their pies with mash and carrots are incredible.
So many pubs to try! I love it
I live in Austin Texas and I already have my second trip planned to Liverpool and Manchester . However I’ll be also spending a week in the French Riviera and Paris . I love that part of the world . Cheers ! Claudia
Ah man, I need to get back to Manchester. Such a fun city and I only had a day there
I get the same question about Paris. I have been going to Paris almost every year since 2000. After probably 15 trips, I still haven't seen it all. I have been to London four times. I love it there too. 😁
Completely understand why you'd want to visit London while living in Paris. That's one thing I love when I've been in Europe is it's pretty easy to hop on a train and in a couple hours be in a totally different city or country from where you started. Unfortunately traveling across the pond isn't in the cards this summer but I hope to return to Paris in 2025 and will definitely be checking your guide out as the tips and tricks I picked up just from watching your videos were super helpful on my first trip to Paris (and France for that matter) in 2019.
Jay as we both grew up in Pullman I just wanted to reach out and say how much I appreciate all that you do. I really admire how you have approached your life. I wish I had the courage to break out of the box like you have. I would love to hear from you. Best Regards! Keep reaching for the stars!
Knowing the box is there is always the first step in breaking out 🥂
Thanks Jay
Lol we're on the same wavelength. See some sites between eats and drinks. Not the other way around. I'm actually hitting London and Edinburgh in March. I'm excited to explore.
You need to venture out of London. Come up north, York, Newcastle etc just a train ride from kings cross.
If you need a tour guide let me know
So much more to see for sure. There are UK road trips in my future
You may have answered this before ..but would you consider living in London 👀? Also, visit Bristol if you have not yet!
I love London - I'm on the fence about living here though. I wouldn't be opposed, to be sure, but Paris is home for the foreseeable future =D
I like it when you visit other places in Europe. But also really love seeing Cooper in videos though I know you can't take him everywhere. (Btw, cocoa butter makes an excellent chapped lip fix.) That and more Ms. Renfro's! Emailed you.
Exploring is just fun!!!
Agreed!
You can use the stairs on the TGV duplex.
Oh. Just seeing those pubs. And knowing all the vegan/veggie options in the UK. I loved Paris my first trip this past fall (and thanks Jay for the guide and the videos) but... England... and also they speak English like in Monty Python. I'll be back in April!
I like Paris. It's SOOO interesting and it's what made me want to take French to begin with - so I could visit Paris and not worry about language. HOWEVER! Unless your French is at a level where it's second nature, you still have a level of stress that can become exhausting. I was always translating. My brain was so tired and yeah - the lack of customer service and all the picky bits that start to grate on you about a big city are magnified when you're exhausted, mentally.
London. I LOVE London. I feel at home, there. I'm from a larger city and so cities don't bother me too much, but feeling "adventurous" in another country, but speaking my own language, is relaxing. I don't feel as mentally spent when I visit London. Physically, walking 30k steps a day can kick my butt, but I love it, so I push through. I know I have so much more to see in this world, but I'll keep going back to London, and probably Paris, too. 😉 No worries!
The language barrier is a real thing - and then the cultural barriers below that (which the UK has as well, but they feel a bit softer in general). It's such a great city to explore!
The sidewalk thing made me laugh! We were enjoying our first crepe in Paris in the rain and were yelled at in French by some grouchy old guy because we were in the way (I think). Had some bad experiences on that trip, but umbrellas as swords help with the pickpockets, 'survey takers', etc, ha. We loved London and Scotland felt like home. Cheers from a fellow Washingtonian!
Parisians and sidewalks - could be its own sociological study haha
3:31 It’s a culture that says “Sorry” a lot so I’m not surprised. Also, the escalator culture is mind blowing.
I'm French and have been following you for a couple of years to have an outside view of my own country. That being said I now live much closer to Spain and have used every opportunity to hop to Spain (1 hour away from my city now), just like what you're doing with London. So I was curious about that: Are you going to travel to Spain? I saw you in Italy a few years back, are you going to go back there? Both lovely countries. Man I love Spain, great people awesome cities and heritage
I've spent more time in Spain than Italy, but I really want to explore both of them more. There's just so much to see!
2:05 I was just going to mention Asian food options. Paris does have some cool Asian restaurants though.
Go on, how many beers had you all had when you did that walk in the park at the end lol. Nothing wrong with spreading your wings and spending time in both London and Paris sounds perfectly fine to me. I love both cities, each for different reasons ! 👍
I feel very lucky that they're so easily connected
Great video. Great vibe. Great music. And my wife and I absolutely look at a city we plan to visit as an opportunity to eat, drink, & caffeinate.
In fact, we often get the same comment from family & friends alike, “I cannot believe you guys are flying abroad and planning your trip around where the best craft coffee shops are.”
Well, that’s what we love to do! Lol It makes us happy, plus it really sets the tone for everything else planned for the day.
So, thanks Jay! This hit home. And for that, I know we’ll contact you in the future to plan a day or 2 for us because it seems you get it. 🙏
It's true! A lot of my exploring starts in places I know are highly likely I'll love, and then if it does end up having a good vibe, I'll ask them where THEY like to go, and you're off to the races from there. Definitely hit us up if you'd like to see about planning a day or two! Sounds like you'd probably be a great fit =D
@@JaySwanson I appreciate the words Jay, thank you. And keep the videos coming! Burnout is overrated! lol Kidding. Cheers! ☕️🙏
Why not?!!! I LOVE London it's a terrific place to visit. I'd be hopping over the stay a few days and go to the theatre. I was there for two weeks on my last trip and saw 7 musicals. SO cheap compared to here in the states. I also LOVE tea at Fortnum and Mason and their Blood Orange Marmalade, sooo dellicious.
I definitely need MORE MUSICALS =D
So Jay, my first thought was, “he probably loves the coffee scene & food.” Then I pondered, “ohhhh, what if he’s engaged to an English girl and has kept it private.” Then I figured, “I better just watch the dang video!” Lol
Cheers Jay!
Haha - hope it was worth the watch despite the lack of romance ;D
@@JaySwanson 🤣
You should do the Shepherds Bush, Victoria and Vauxhall areas of London. Also, Brighton, Luxembourg & Amsterdam again. Those cities bring good vibes for Day Trips from Paris🗺️📒📸🇫🇷🇬🇧🇱🇺
I've done Shepherds Bush twice and really enjoyed it - my friend performed there so we ended up there two years in a row. Brighton too (on the second trip) if you're interested: czcams.com/video/v1PuZW8mueM/video.html
There's two great craft beer places near you there, Kill The Cat in Brick Lane and in Spitalfields
good customer service and good food??!!! are you sure you're going to the UK?
Sure I'm going to London* haha
I lived in Paris for nearly 4 years, left in 2013 and moved to London. I was back in Paris last summer for 3-4 weeks and I must say I wouldn’t move back. It’s still a nice city but the heat was unbearable outside, mixed with the smell of cigarette smoke on every corner from terraces just not my vibe. Also Paris did well in pedestrianising streets or restricting traffic (Rivoli eg) but that lead to lot of gridlocks all over the city so I think air quality is much worse in Paris. London air is so much cleaner, its also breezy and the buildings are much lower in general with tons of large open spaces - feels less claustrophobic than Paris (especially the inner arrondissements with the narrow streets). The disadvantage of that is London is so spread out it takes ages to get from point A to B.
London is MASSIVE
You’re walking about where I work! There’s my lunchtime spots. Shoreditch is great but I’m a big fan of Petticoat Lane Market.
If I get more time I'll explore the market next time I'm in London for sure - looked really interesting
@@JaySwanson it’s not big, but definitely good value for money and the food is excellent. The falafel at the southern end is fabulous.
Quick rando question... do you ever worry about your phone getting swiped while you're across the street talking to it? 😳
Not rando at all! People ask all the time ;D
I have never been to Paris, but I have been to London several times. London is indeed a swinging town; it truly is a GREAT city. It's easy getting around in London as well. It is spendy, but it is London.
I've really enjoyed it a ton
Jay, head out to Peckham or Deptford next time your in London or Brixton indoor market, would love to see one of your London jaunts , yes Shoreditch and Hoxton is cool, as is Soho etc, but get all the attention, come to Franks or or Cheese n Fizz in Brixton! Love your videos, its become my daily routine as a Londoner born and bred who dreams of moving to Paris one day...
Happy to share the trips! I really enjoyed Brixton's market and found some good stuff in Shepherds Bush too. Lots more to explore and revisit! Can't wait
Keep going Jay, just a shame the lovely Cooper isn't by your side in London, appreciate its a real pain sorting out travel with our dogs, as someone attached to the hip to my dog, I'm put off slightly by rabies jabs and the hassle to bring her to my frequent trips to Paris from London. @@JaySwanson
I’m just more amazed your camera hasn’t been nicked in London 😂. Though your pleasure at stairs in buses is great. It’s takes me 2 and a half hours to get to London. So a day out in Paris is probably doable but exhausting
The commute times are pretty incredible once you start to see how spread out London really is
he kept turning his back and walking away. Hilarious.
If you are near Gunnersbury - worth going to Antipodean
Intéressant
Jay, if you want Indian food then please drop by India sometime. September-December is ideal unless you’re ok with hot summers.
Because you CAN! Answering the question before watching the video 😂 Go to Poland next! Enjoy Europe 😊
You got it!
I keep going to London when I start taking Paris for granted.....
It's amazing having both right at your fingertips
@@JaySwanson Amazing & Enviable!
Love London as well. Would you ever consider moving there?
Oh, does anyone know what church that is at 5:08? It reminds me of St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.
Very Ministery of Silly walks there at the end Jay!
Glad someone got the reference!
In London, I like to have a roast beef and Yorkshire Pud at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese which is in the Fleet Street area, about a block away from my father's old office from the 1940s through the 1960s which is gone now, of course. Sure it's touristy, but you're a writer so how can you pass up a chance to sit where Charles Dickens sat? Inspiration, good sir, plus a beer and the aforementioned meal couldn't be bad. The first restaurant in which I had my first dinner in London in 1959 is long gone from Jermyn Street -- Dover sole meunière, veg and ginger beer which at that time was unavailable in the US. Soho used to be loaded with both Italian and Chinese places. Haven't a clue about today. Last time I went to London from France, it was by ferry -- no chunnel. I think they hadn't even started building it yet. I can recommend some things for you in Amsterdam should you ever brave the journey.
Woah, I didn't know that you were on an artist visa! I'm a freelance writer, but also a poet and creative writer as well! How was the process of getting your artist visa?
Pretty mysterious as I got it before they even released the name or info about it 😂 And then a nightmare after the mystery. I'm pretty sure I caught a very lucky break when I got it
Quote of the Day: “I have fun!”
😆
Why not ❤
Indeed 🥂
Let’s see…two of the world’s greatest cities a SHORT train ride apart? Are you kidding?!? I would pay for a never ending Eurostar ticket and a couple of Ferry tickets and trying not to thing about the channel tunnel so that I could routinely travel from one to the other as I pleased. Here’s hoping I never lose my sense of adventure and decide to stay in one place. The food ALONE is worth a quick jog to London! Sure Paris has fantastic food. And a better variety than many places. Can they beat London? I doubt it. Unless you are hungry for a good French Bistro. I’m with you, Jay!
OH MAN - If only I could get an unlimited Euorstar pass. This is exactly my thought - why limit my world to one major capital when I've got two at my fingertips =D
@@JaySwanson - I hope you are a member of Club EuroStar. If you are not, do so. Then check out EuroStar’s frequent pass. Sometimes the London/Paris-Paris/London (or vice versa) is excluded from deals but I don’t think so. Once you earn enough points and have a frequent pass, any premium ticket (Paris/London and back is €33, suggesting frequent pass is a basic ticket. Not sure but I would dig a little deeper. It might (not sure) also allow travel to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels and I forget where else for almost nothing. The more points you earn, the more flexibility you earn with booking/changing/using passes.
I think that for some people, an itinerary works. But if you are someone who purely likes to explore, then I think something like Paris in my pocket is perfect. When I first visited Paris in 1992, it was part of a European trip and Paris was just a "stop on the way". However, I broke away from my group and just walked around Paris for 10 hours. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Had I stayed with my tour group, I probably would have looked at Paris as another "tourist place". Your itineraries seem to be taking that "boring tourism" stuff out of it, which I like! It's a mixture of both. Good luck!
Exploring is where I'm at =D
3:32 That was planned just for that sentence! lol
😂
Why NOT go to London?!?! Its one of the biggest and best cities in the world! And hopefully you have met LoveandLondon Vlogger.
I actually have - she's super cool
Jay you got to find your London doppelganger
I feel like Dimitri is a close contender haha
Which food hall had those options and seating?
That was Seven Dials Market =D
Which food
Where are you eating the Indian food at? Mall or Market (name)…I’m going to be in London in Feb. It looks like a nice place where your dining. TY.
He is is spitalfields market. Dishoom and masala zone are great if you want to try indian food
love Dishoom
6:44 I feel personally attacked
It's a shame Spitalfields is such a rip off. But I guess everyone has charged the same that you have no real choice when out for lunch
The way you just film and talk to the camera openly in front of poeple makes me feel 😬🫣 hahaha (not a dig, I wish I didnt care what people think!)
No dig taken! Just comes with practice, I believe you can definitely do it
lol I thought the whole point of going to London was geography. BRB manifesting a collab with Geoff Marshall and or Jago Hazzard.
Infomercial?
Go keep? Or keep going?
hahaha oops!
Indian Bento box: ask for thalis, that's how they call them
When I asked what they were known for, "our bento box" was the response😂
😂 I guess they are going for that fusion feel
It makes me laugh when people love London & hate the idea of living in Paris. London is sooo big it's exhausting, after a day I can't wait to leave. I was there in November & I genuinely don't find people any less pushy on public transport or less miserable than in Paris. In fact it never ceases to surprise me how polite Parisians can be & after 31/2 years here the novelty has definitely worn off. London is as great and storied a city as Paris but even the best pubs can't replace the café terrasse experience and capital for capital, London is as dirty, polluted and crowded as Paris. Maybe more so.
Still charming and fun to me =D
I think British pubs are a pretty unique thing. They're there for everyone - young, old, local or tourist and can offer a warm welcome on a cold night! There are plenty of 'pubs' in Europe of course but it's not the same thing.
Jay, it’s obvious you take great pleasure in eating and drinking wherever you travel and that seems to be your M.O. Have you tried sitting still at an outdoor cafe to people watch or chat with others sitting next to you? I believe you’re missing out on life’s other simple pleasures. Take time to really get to know someone. (Read book by David Brooks) You will spend a lifetime getting to know yourself and miss out on meeting the love of your life! IMHO
Ironically, I met a woman from Hong Kong at Monmouth coffee when I asked to share her table, since there weren't any free - she's sitting just off camera as I'm not one to film strangers if I can help it - and we had a lovely chat. What you see in these videos is very much me, but remember it's also only 8min of me out of 1,440 😉
@@JaySwanson I’m so happy you shared this info, cause I was starting to feel kind of sad for you. I hope I’m the only one that got that impression from your videos, although I do enjoy your work immensely!
Erm cause London is the best haha (not biased lol)
In London you need to collab with @johnrogerswalks
❤ your passion for food that you will travel to another country for an exploration of culinary options 😂🥐🥩🧀🥘🥙🍝🍱🍜🍲🍮🍺🍷☕🥤😂
😋
because London is so cool and yes a train ride away?! Obviously ✨🤌🏽 paris is so central you could go ANYWHERE! 🎉