This pub is just down from our hotel.
OK Ben, This Pic is for You! That's about $4.50 per play!!!! ouch!
March 8, 2009 (p.m.)
Day two in London is complete. We were much more rested today after a great night of sleep. We also slowed down to a more casual pace which made for two very happy and relaxed Americans. We didn’t leave the hotel till almost noon, mainly because Sonya is determined to make me journal as much as possible. It can be a chore, but I know it’s worth it. I can’t tell you how happy I am that we journaled while on our adoption journey in China, but anyway back to England…
Our day started at the Jugged Hare, a local pub just down the street from the hotel that renowned European expert, travel guide, tv host, author, yada, yada, yada, Rick Steves, recommends in his book. We enjoyed delicious fish n’ chips (again) and a hamburger made of minced beef. I am still not sure what was mixed in with the hamburger meat (or if it was even a cow), but it was tender and yummy (Sonya’s description). Wow! What a great meal and great hosts (see pictures on our blog)! We will definitely go back before we leave in a few days.
After lunch we took the tube to the London Dungeon. It’s changed a lot over the past 24 years, but it was still great entertainment if you enjoy blood, gore, horror and British history (albeit embellished somewhat). Afterwards we rode the London Eye, an enormous ferris wheel on the Thames across from Big Ben and the Parliament. It’s a great ride, but I would recommend going in the morning while the sun is in the east or at night. Afternoon is not ideal for photography.
Chinatown was our next stop. It’s amazing how much it looked and smelled like China. We didn’t eat there, mostly because of what I just said, but it made for a great time of people watching. Then it was off to the infamous Harrad’s – infamous from a man’s perspective anyway – which is basically an enormous Macy’s. Fortunately it closed soon after we got there. What great planning on my part! They close early on Sunday, although they probably don’t know why.
Our evening meal was at a place not many Americans know about – TGI Fridays. Yep, that’s right! We were looking for something familiar and we found it at Piccadilly Circus. Hamburger, chicken sandwich and music so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. One lesson we learned… next time we complain about service at a restaurant at home we’ll remind ourselves of the service we had tonight and be grateful. It’s all relative, right?
OK, now for some misc. notes about today:
· Sonya is slowly learning how to understand the British. To “queue” means to “stand in line”; many folks say “ta” or “cheers” instead of “thanks”; and “still” water is the opposite of “sparkling”.
· Today after having to ask the girl at the ticket counter at the London Dungeon to repeat herself when she asked me if I wanted a guide book, I humorously explained that I was having trouble understanding English. She then asked in her sarcastic British accent, “Do you want one in German then?” My kind of girl!
· Sonya got some funny looks on the tube today when she flashed me a backwards peace sign (“v”) while using the word “very”. What she didn’t realize is that the “victory” sign is how people shoot each other the bird in England. Oops! I forgot to tell her about that one.
Finally, tomorrow is a big day for me, one I’ve been looking forward to for twenty-four years. We’re taking a train to Oxford where I’ll show Sonya where both my prom and high school graduation were. After that we’re going to rent a car for a very nostalgic trip down memory lane – the USAF base where I lived and attended HS, the local towns/villages where I shopped and ate and my favorite hang-out, the not-so-well-known Blackbird Pub and Inn in Croughton.
It’s now 10:00 p.m. and we’re both very tired. My next post will probably be tomorrow evening (UK time) which is Monday afternoon in Alabama. Until then… Ta, Ta for now.
Day two in London is complete. We were much more rested today after a great night of sleep. We also slowed down to a more casual pace which made for two very happy and relaxed Americans. We didn’t leave the hotel till almost noon, mainly because Sonya is determined to make me journal as much as possible. It can be a chore, but I know it’s worth it. I can’t tell you how happy I am that we journaled while on our adoption journey in China, but anyway back to England…
Our day started at the Jugged Hare, a local pub just down the street from the hotel that renowned European expert, travel guide, tv host, author, yada, yada, yada, Rick Steves, recommends in his book. We enjoyed delicious fish n’ chips (again) and a hamburger made of minced beef. I am still not sure what was mixed in with the hamburger meat (or if it was even a cow), but it was tender and yummy (Sonya’s description). Wow! What a great meal and great hosts (see pictures on our blog)! We will definitely go back before we leave in a few days.
After lunch we took the tube to the London Dungeon. It’s changed a lot over the past 24 years, but it was still great entertainment if you enjoy blood, gore, horror and British history (albeit embellished somewhat). Afterwards we rode the London Eye, an enormous ferris wheel on the Thames across from Big Ben and the Parliament. It’s a great ride, but I would recommend going in the morning while the sun is in the east or at night. Afternoon is not ideal for photography.
Chinatown was our next stop. It’s amazing how much it looked and smelled like China. We didn’t eat there, mostly because of what I just said, but it made for a great time of people watching. Then it was off to the infamous Harrad’s – infamous from a man’s perspective anyway – which is basically an enormous Macy’s. Fortunately it closed soon after we got there. What great planning on my part! They close early on Sunday, although they probably don’t know why.
Our evening meal was at a place not many Americans know about – TGI Fridays. Yep, that’s right! We were looking for something familiar and we found it at Piccadilly Circus. Hamburger, chicken sandwich and music so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. One lesson we learned… next time we complain about service at a restaurant at home we’ll remind ourselves of the service we had tonight and be grateful. It’s all relative, right?
OK, now for some misc. notes about today:
· Sonya is slowly learning how to understand the British. To “queue” means to “stand in line”; many folks say “ta” or “cheers” instead of “thanks”; and “still” water is the opposite of “sparkling”.
· Today after having to ask the girl at the ticket counter at the London Dungeon to repeat herself when she asked me if I wanted a guide book, I humorously explained that I was having trouble understanding English. She then asked in her sarcastic British accent, “Do you want one in German then?” My kind of girl!
· Sonya got some funny looks on the tube today when she flashed me a backwards peace sign (“v”) while using the word “very”. What she didn’t realize is that the “victory” sign is how people shoot each other the bird in England. Oops! I forgot to tell her about that one.
Finally, tomorrow is a big day for me, one I’ve been looking forward to for twenty-four years. We’re taking a train to Oxford where I’ll show Sonya where both my prom and high school graduation were. After that we’re going to rent a car for a very nostalgic trip down memory lane – the USAF base where I lived and attended HS, the local towns/villages where I shopped and ate and my favorite hang-out, the not-so-well-known Blackbird Pub and Inn in Croughton.
It’s now 10:00 p.m. and we’re both very tired. My next post will probably be tomorrow evening (UK time) which is Monday afternoon in Alabama. Until then… Ta, Ta for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment