With the beginning of my favorite month of the year comes the festive season.
London is already decked out with Christmas trees and sparkling lights on almost every corner and the sight is spectacular! It is my first time experiencing Christmas, and I love every part of it!
While in London most people are going to celebrate Christmas, the Jews are going to celebrate Hanukkah.
The Jewish festival of Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Second Temple during the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE when Jerusalem was reclaimed.
During the festival, we usually light the Menorah for eight days, adding a candle every day until we reach a fully lit and magnificent Menorah.
So, excited to witness the grandeur of the festivities for the first time, my first stop was Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park’s large Christmas event. In the park, guests could take rides, play games, and eat food they enjoyed. Once I entered the park, I ate a slice of pizza and it was delicious! Then, after I lost a few games trying to win a giant teddy bear, I indulged in hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows on top and a French crepe.
Without really thinking about it, I bought tickets for the Ice Kingdom experience. It wasn’t until later that I realized it included a -12 degree ice exhibition.
Despite being beautifully crafted, I shivered throughout. The most enjoyable part was seeing an iced carriage waiting for us. It was too good an opportunity to miss, so I took a picture with my friends.
After a week, I came back and tried the haunted house. It didn’t deliver the scare, but it was still enjoyable.
My next stop was Christmas at Kew.
I got to explore colourful trees drenched in jewel-like light, sparkling tunnels of light, and dancing lakeside reflections. As I listened to the music between the trees, I was taken aback by the sight.
Street food vendors offered festive delights along the route, including hot food, sweet treats, and spiced winter warmers.
I walked in the route for two hours and I felt like I entered a magical world and embarked on a botanical journey that was filled with seasonal cheer (In accordance with their slogan).
My favorite part of them all was the illuminated garden at the sky that was filled with red shiny flowers.It was like stepping into the world of Beauty and the Beast.
