Reflections on England

Natalie and I flew to England in December for the first leg of our holiday adventure. We flew on American Airlines because they had a steal of a deal, but the airline wasn't too impressive. It got us there safely and on time--which ultimately is really all you need from an airline--but the experience was eh, the worst part being that somehow our request for vegetarian meals never got processed, so we were left to pick over beef lasagna...one of the most entertaining parts of the flight no doubt!

When I went to London last March to see ChauChau, I flew Air New Zealand, which was an incomparably superior experience. The flight was only about $50 more and the difference ah! Amazing. The food was scrumptious, infused with New Zealand flavors and spices, the entertainment extensive, and the flight attendant jovial and accommodating. For my first time overseas, Air New Zealand definitely set the bar high! Obvi, if price is the ultimate determinate for you then take what you can get, but absolutely shop around before settling for the cheapest fare, because even a few dollars can make a world of difference in your travel experience. Many of my English frequent flyer friends say that Virgin Atlantic is the best way to cross the pond, so check them out as well.

Upon landing in Heathrow, our friends Alice and Lauren whisked us away to Winchester, where Two Bite goes to University. We only spent a day there, but Winchester is a quaint little town, with a really nice street of shopping, and an intriguing cathedral. It is also home to the round table of King Arthur fame, although it was closed when we went there. Really, what I remember most is that it was just freezing cold! Inside and outside. That, and that Natalie slept on a downhill slope because for some reason the bed we were in was mysteriously lopsided. One of the funniest things I've ever seen!

We next made a quick stop in Bournemouth for our Skylake Reunion New Year's Party which was as much fun as any Skylake gathering is....aka A-Mazing.

After that we were off to Cardiff, Wales, where we stayed with Alice for four days. Cardiff was beautiful! It's right on the coast and the views of the water prove quite pitteresque. Plus the Welsh everywhere from road signs to radio stations was interesting to look at and amusing to listen to. Cardiff is also where I stumbled upon one of my three favorite discoveries in the UK. We were in Sainsbury--a grocery store chain like Fred Meyer stores out here or kinda like Target but with a greater emphasis on food--buying deliciousness for dinner when I saw Vaseline in a tiny circular tin. A tin! Naturally, I just had to have one, and it was the only souvenir from my travels...and the best one possible!

Another note about markets. I loved them, all over the UK! Why, you ask? What makes them better than US stores? Well, they have more expiration dates. The food is fresh, and it seems like fewer things have preservatives. That, and UK stores have Digestives.

We then took a train from Cardiff to Watford, a small town in the suburbs of London. The train ride was amazingly beautiful--many a lovely view of the English countryside--and not all that expensive. We stayed with Jack and his adorable little kitty; during the day we took the tube to London.

I love London! Perhaps it will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first place I visited outside America, but I love meandering around that city. We saw virtually everything, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, St. James Park--where not only did Natalie nearly lose her camera to the pond, but also where we almost got attacked by birds half a dozen times--Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, the Tate, and the list goes on and on. We stopped by the National Portrait Gallery where I was hoping to see my favorite one of their van Gogh paintings, pictured above, (which, as it turns out, is thought to be an unfinished work due to it's clumsy brush strokes and vacant left corner) but it was missing. Tear. My favorite place by far was St. Paul's Cathedral.

Oh my goodness. Exquisite. Humbling. Breathtaking. I took the tour and walked up some 250 or so stairs to the top, and words cannot do it justice. Religion is not a part of my life, but I stood there in this beautiful dome built to worship God and I couldn't help but feel moved. There is also a balcony outside the dome which provides a cool view of the city.

After my tour I met Natalie and Katie at PRET a Manger--quite possibly my favorite thing about London. It's a huge chain cafe--there are sometimes two within one block!--but all their food is made fresh daily, contains only natural and organic ingredients, and is beyond vegetarian friendly. Their apple cake? Divine. And they make one of the best lattes I've ever had. We went to London for two days and I think we went to PRET something like five times....ridiculous.

As for my last favorite discovery in the UK? Sugar cubes. This is not the first time I've seen them or anything, but I never used them on a regular basis until I went to Europe. And lemme tell ya, I'm hooked! They are so cute, and somehow manage to add a little splash of fun to making my morning coffee...much to my Mom's unwavering amusement.

*Photos courtesy of Natalie, photo documenter

extraordinaire!