Boots

2012 review #191:
I know it’s a bit odd to review a pharmacy chain, but you know how it is when you visit somewhere new– all the usual places there, that are foreign to you, suddenly seem like the best things on the planet.
Overall I like the Boots concept as a whole; pharmacy, food, general toiletries, and basically a mini-​Sephora type cosmetic store all in one. Nowhere in the states do we have somewhere that you can buy gum, toilet paper, and YSL concealer in the same place. Not only that, but there is one on nearly every street corner, or every train station. It’s a brilliant idea, and I wish we had a similar concept.
The other reason I’m in love with Boots has more to do with the pharmaceutical system of the UK in general. Basically on our second day in London I came down with something and knew exactly the medicine I needed. At home in the US, though, one has to have a prescription. A quick search of Boots online and I realized that not only was it over the counter, but it was cheap, too. No diagnostics or personal questions needed. Honestly I almost stocked up on medicine from here just to take home and avoid hassle back in the states. For travelers, Boots can be the thing that comes in handy again and again on trips.