1. London is as cosmopolitan as it gets. Due to the its colonial past and liberal economic policies, it has attracted people from all over the world in search of a better life. There are large neighborhoods that have evolved to cater to specific communities from certain Commonwealth countries. Southall is home to the largest Sikh community in London, Ealing is the hub of the Polish community, Brixton is the home to the Caribbean community and so on.

2. There is history around every corner. I stumbled upon a quaint church – All Hallows by the Tower near the financial district and found that it had a connection to John QuincyAdams, one of founders of United States of America. Then they are the museums. British Museum is an incredible repository of world history. I could easily spend days unpacking each exhibition although I couldn’t shake off the feeling that a majority of exhibits were misappropriated from their homeland. The National Gallery is another gem. Victoria and Albert Museum’s Asian artifact and ceramic collection is among the best. Even the Museum of London was very educational. I learned that the Romans established Londonium as a port town on River Thames. It is hardly surprising since they were everywhere. Ruins of that city’s original defense walls are found near the Tower Hill station.

3. The greenery is unparalleled for any big city. Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Hyde Park, St James Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Gardens, Kew Gardens are all amazing and accessible. The drizzly weather probably makes it slightly easier to maintain the lushness of the gardens but the attention to detail to its upkeep is very admirable.

4. There is simply no other place outside India where Indian food is considered a staple. But I was pleasantly surprised by the elevated Indian food scene – Dishoom, Gymkhana, Trishna, Quilon, Veerasamy, Gunpowder, Benares, Zaika and the list goes on. While Dishoom pays homage to Irani cafes in Mumbai, Gymkhana was about showcasing hits from various cuisines of India.

5. British food never had this reputation of being sophisticated or diverse although I think they deserve more credit. However, the sheer variety and quality of baked goods blew my mind. Be it the simple custard, the rich treacle tart or the imported Friand, they were all scrumptious.

6. Cricket is very much part of the popular culture in Britain. Walking into the stadium at Lords was a special experience for an ardent cricket fan like me. Even more so was walking down the hallowed long room which has witnessed some of the key moments in the history of cricket.

7. One of the unique characteristics of London is the co-existence of the old and new – buildings/monuments that are centuries old along with ones that were built in 2000s. There is no “old town” like most cities in Europe.

8. While every major city in the world now has food halls and indoor markets, the outdoor markets in London are rather popular. Unlike the farmer’s markets in America, the ones in London are more than just food and groceries. I saw books, vintage clothes, artisanal products literally anything that be sold. The Old Spitafields Market seemed to be popular with the African Diaspora with its fashionable ethnic wear – dashikis, kitenge and boubou’s.

9. The London Black Cab is charming. The process of becoming a cabbie is notorious for its rigorousness. In the age of Uber, it is one of those anachronisms that I hope would not disappear. Also, I had one of most intellectual conversations about US foreign policy towards EU with a cabbie. So, I might be biased.

10. London’s theatre scene is huge probably only rivaled by NYC’s Broadway. The area surrounding Leicester Square has all the popular shows at various venues.The Shakespeare’s Globe is both native and unique to London. The theatre itself is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan era playhouse for which Shakespeare wrote his plays. Although I couldn’t make it to a play, I thought that the rustic set up was very charming. The interiors of the Royal Opera House are breathtaking. The architecture tour is another way to access the Opera House without spending $$$.