janet

I had a great time in England and I'm lucky to have had my friend Jen and her British boyfriend Ed to show me around. Jen took a week off work so she was able to take me around London, Oxford and Bath. We even visited a vineyard in Somerset. By the time we sampled the third wine I was all smiles. They're big on wine in England. In fact they are big on drinking in general. Luckily I was able to hold my liquor and not embarass myself in front of the locals, but just barely!

We hit the shops on Bond street and I got some cool shoes. I also made a point of only eating typical English fare: Bangers and mash, fish and chips, more chips, ham sarnies, cornish pasties, kabobs etc. Didn't have a curry though, and everyone eats curries. I wasn't down for the steak and kidney pie cause I wasn't too keen on eating kidneys. I also didn't try the "faggots with mash and onion gravy". Apparently, faggots are pig livers or something. Anyway, I think I gained ten pounds!

Some random observations:
They REALLY like Robbie Williams. They call Arnold "Arnie". They don't have frozen food aisles in the grocery stores. On the moterways, people will let you in if you put on your blinker. A 'fit bird' is an attractive female. The most reviled UK accents are Welsh and Birmingham (Brommies). I find these accents charming.

I'll definately have to go back and check out some Northern towns. I also want to go to Dublin. For now though, it's nice to be home