Wanderlusting: Toronto, London, Paris
A recent phone call conjures my hot takes and tips on each
Back in 2017, I was invited to speak at a summer youth event at CU Boulder’s Leeds Business School.
It was hosted by Greenhouse Scholars, a non-profit dedicated to funding higher education for young adults from underrepresented or low resource communities.
Later on, when asked if I’d like to mentor a student, I had to say yes.
The kids in these programs give me faith in today’s youth; talking with a few and I learned they’re off to the best schools in the nation: Stanford, Harvard, and other ivy leagues and top public colleges–one young Taiwanese woman I connected with actually became a rocket scientist, interning at SpaceX and then attending MIT for her masters.
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Today, I mentor a young woman who’s now a rising junior in college, also my alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
During a recent check-in, she was exhausted from her exams, but perked up immediately when I asked about her summer plans.
First, she’s traveling to Toronto with her mom and brother on their first international family trip together.
Next is her month-long study abroad program in London.
I was particularly excited about this because I also attended a London Honors Study Abroad Program while at UNC-CH.
I’ve always believed the BEST excuse to travel is to combine it with some sort of formal education program.
And what would any study abroad experience in London be without a hopover to Paris.
Our chat got me seriously wanderlusting for the times I spent in those cities and imparting my quick hot takes for Toronto, London, and Paris:
Toronto
In November 2017 I took my parents to Toronto, to celebrate my mother’s birthday weekend.
We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel, and I remember the weather being sunny, clear, and frigid.
The hotel sits conveniently atop the Soho House, where I got some work done while Mom & Dad relaxed (FYI this house is on the smaller side compared to say, its New York counterparts).
It also used to serve as a Canadian outpost to David Chang’s Momofuku, but sadly that location closed in 2022.
Since then, I’ve crossed through Toronto only a couple of times, usually as a travel stopover from Europe or en route to Vancouver.
To me, Toronto is like a cleaner, more efficient New York City. And it feels more civilized, perhaps because the longer you stay in any part of Canada, be it Vancouver or even more scenic destination areas, you don’t sense the political tension or anger that is so latent in American society and culture.
I know there is supposed to be excellent Chinese food in Toronto, but I feel like I haven’t yet found the insider spot.
Perhaps one of you can reply or DM me with that little nugget of info?
London
Ah, London. For most Americans, it’s the gateway city to the rest of Europe.
But after living there for multiple stretches roughly 10 years apart (as part of a London Honors Study Abroad Program—see my flat here—and for 2 years after business school), I will say this: the only thing Americans have in common with Brits is the English language.
Everything else is quite different. Quite.
Humor, way of being, way of life, personality — it takes full immersion, living there, working with, and perhaps even dating and living with a British person, to realize this.
The best:
A cup of tea really does make everything better
The sun (when it decides to show up. You don’t know how much you take the sun for granted, until you live there)
As a moneyed adult: world’s finest pasta from Locanda Locatelli
The worst:
The city is still quite classist in its obsession with membership clubs as entree and fixture of social life. But I guess that’s what adds to its allure, no?
The weather. My theory is the dreadful weather is the reason they are so imaginative, socially quirky, and irreverent; they have to be creative and entertain themselves somehow.
As a poor student: greasy samosas from Camden town
Paris
Ah, Pareeeeee.
The francophile in me was born at a young age.
I’ve written about the first time I went to France, but I didn’t actually visit Paris on that visit.
Before the Olympics this summer, I’ll probably write a more insidery guide, but my memories are usually what come to mind when I think of the city of lights.
My first encounter with Paris came in tandem with my study abroad experience, when I hopped on the Eurostar from London.
I stayed in a hostel where the bathrooms were pretty much outhouses (this was fun in the February cold).
Like Emily in Paris, I’d romanticized what living in Paris would look like.
I finally got to do it years later during my master’s studies.
I lived in a dreamy 9th-floor flat in the 5th arrondissement, you know, one of those buildings with gorgeous iron-embellished doors, within walking distance to my classes at the Sorbonne.
The best:
Walking to Rue Mouffetard market (a foodie’s paradise) on the weekends and buying a fresh rotisserie chicken which would last me for days; I’d cut all the meat off and then boil the bones for soup broth
The worst:
Like London, Paris society is difficult to “break into.” Luckily for me I had local friends, but you might as well be a social leper unless you’re introduced to a clique.
Have you been wanderlusting lately? About which cities or countries?
What are your summer plans? I’d love to hear about them!
Simply reply or comment below.
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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As always, I loved your impressions, descriptions, and fascinating experiences. I felt like I could be walking the streets with you through your words.
Learned so much! The photos were awesome.
Thank you for sharing your eclectic life with us!!!