Circa July 6th:
Contrary to my prior assumptions, I did in fact make it across the pond. I am currently sitting in the kitchen of my "Home Exchange" buddy's house, drinking instant coffee (they only believe in tea around these parts) and mourning the last 4 hours I spent laying in bed awake.
A few things I've picked up on thus far:
1. British English is not the same language as American English.
2. Brits spell things differently to suit their accents (ex. tons = tonnes, Claritin = Claritynn, etc.)
3. Searches are difficult when things are called something completely different than what they are (i.e. grocery cart = trolley)
4. It rains in London...always. Ads in the US that celebrate the arrival of sunny days and fireworks alike read, "Make the most of Summer" here. This seemed odd to me until I couldn't leave the house without a jacket, scarf, and umbrella yesterday.
5. The food here is almost unrecognizable. Everything is drowned in salt and margarine, so I have resorted to fruit, salad, bread, and wine. Wish me luck!
6. I like American teeth. I like them white, shiny, and in a line - that is all.
7. They will put anything and anyone on TV here. While they mostly air American shows (Will & Grace, 16 & Pregnant, etc.) their British remakes or originals are downright jarring. My personal favorite thus far "Embarrassing Bodies: Teen Edition"gave no warning, nor the polite 'Cops' blur out before full blown (no pun intended) infected genitals were shoved in my face. Lovely.
Thats all so far from good ol' London Town, but today we plan to visit my namesake, the Tate Modern (did I mention no one asks me to spell my name here? Rather pleasant) and I could't be more thrilled to ride the Tube like a proper Londoner. Cheers!
Circa July 15th:
it's been quite some time. I've been in London etc. and CANNOT wait to get home. I miss real food, the sun, and most importantly, my people.
The 'tube' here (the underground rail) has been practically idiot proofed for foreigners and residents alike. The maps are color-coded, clear, concise, and a lady with a lovely British accent announces each stop, what trains are available for transfer at that stop etc. Because of all this convenience, I hate it. It takes ages to know where the hell you are going on the NYC subway, and therefore only the deserving and the sharp-witted can handle the beast. Also, London has sacrificed efficiency in favor of politeness - which is a trend that extends far past the walls of the tube.
New York gives a big middle finger to tourism, and stupid people alike - which is precisely why I miss it. The entire time I've been in London it's felt like Disneyland. Terrible fried food, fat people, rides, lots of pleases and thank you's, and almost nothing of substance. Changing of the guards at Buckingham palace was a D-Land parade if I've ever seen one.
Also, I'm not sure why people complain so much about American's being fat, when I can now tell that it is genetic. Our fore bearers, the 'great' Brits, are the same, super-sized tubs of lard we are, just with a side of mayonnaise.
The most redeeming aspect of the British society is that they recognize the value of American television, and play Friends reruns in a continuous loop on channel 4. Ugh, I know. Stuck up American. COME AT ME BRO. All I want is to talk to someone with all their teeth and hair (the two seem to be an either/or thing here.)
