The magical streets of London

For 99 cents, three friends and I hopped on Ryanair, an airline with cheap rates throughout Europe, and eventually made our way to London. London is so much cooler than I ever would have imagined.\nHome to the British royal family, the Tube, Harrods and The London Eye, it is an amazing city. While there, I barely managed to do all of the things I had planned. My friends and I took the Tube, London's underground transit system, to our hotel in South Kensington and hit the town. We did our bit of socializing for the weekend and in the morning made our way to the Tate Modern museum.\nFree admission and five to six floors of interesting art made for an unforgettable experience. Works from modern artists like Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Salvador Dali and Henri Matisse's grace the walls of the museum. Being a huge fan of modern art, this was a nice find for me. If I had an hour left to spare, I would have spent it here. \nAnother sight that should not be missed is the legendary Harrods department store. An absolute marvel in the shopping industry, it is the most amazing store I have ever stepped foot in. With more than 25 departments, the only way I can describe it is like a Super Target, but with high-end merchandise (don't look for M&M's because all you'll find are delicate-looking pastries).\nThe service was absolutely amazing: Every salesperson was ready and willing to go out of his or her way to help me. Though one might be ejected if he is wearing torn jeans, every recommendation from the staff seems as if it comes from the bottom of their hearts. \nI felt as if I was walking in a fairytale world where department stores are more like sensory stimulants. The perfumery houses the most glorious scents. Take a lift up the Egyptian escalator and notice the plaster Sphinx while being reminded of founder Mohammad Al Fayed's background. Walk into the "luxury" department where no watch or diamond is left unpolished (you'll also find jewel-encrusted cell phones). \nBored? Stroll through the game department where you'll find any and every board game you have ever played. Thinking of getting a dog? Why not swing by the pet shop where half a dozen Yorkie puppies are hopping about. Get trendy with a suit or dress from the fashion department, or perhaps grab a bite to eat in the amazing Willy Wonka-like chocolate section. In all my life, I have never seen real food look so fake. \nLast but not least, and very much worth £10 (about $20), is the 30-minute London Eye "flight." Much like a Ferris wheel, glass capsules enclose four to eight passengers and carry them high in the air to catch an incredible panoramic view of the city. I took this ride at night and saw how far the entire city of London stretches. As a bonus, I also got a close-up view of Big Ben and Parliament. \nI could easily spend another four months trying to discover every single corner possible. I never thought I'd like London this much. Though I barely managed to take a bite out of the proverbial sandwich, London is a fantastic place to experience British culture.