Looking/Listening

Mike had fish n chips here at the hotel. A bit oily, he says. We are going to try them at a mall, where people line up for them. Will let u know how they taste. There are so many vegetarian dishes on every menu in every restaurant. Also several vegetarian fast food places at the malls. Pumpkin, zucchini (Corgette), sweet potatoes and carrots are used liberally in all sorts of dishes. Eggplant is called aubergine (like the color). Pasties are served all over - malls, airports, on the street. They are like small pies with various fillings - I think they are fried.

Starbucks serves all varieties of sandwiches in their shops here.

The hotel breakfast buffet is English style with American touches. A typical English breakfast might include fried bread, bakey (bacon), baked beans, eggs and mushrooms (sauteed). Black pudding (small black links of pigs' intestines) are a staple at breakfast. Yeast extract is served alongside butter. (It's like a very salty beef gravy.) You can also have omelettes, waffles, cereals of all sorts, fruit, juices, yogurt, etc. Coffee is available but tea is the drink of choice. No iced tea however is served.

Potato chips are crisps here. French fries are chips. Sneakers are trainers. Christmas lights are illuminations. To go food is take away. Water is still or sparkling. Elevators are lifts. The chambermaid told me today that the "skateboards" needed to be dusted - meaning the baseboards.

The two concierges/doormen on duty today (John and David) told me that, within one's neighborhood, Christmas cards are delivered by going round the streets and sliding them through the mail slot in the doors of your neighbors. No postage - no mailman. I thought they were kidding at first, but,no, they are serious. David tells me that if he sees a neighbor coming to deliver his cards, he keeps out of sight so as not to spoil the surprise. Kind of like Valentine's Day, hm? David, a rascal, told me that he occasionally gets his hand caught in the slot and it ruins his efforts to be unnoticed! (a little British humor). He also tells me that his arms have grown longer since he has been carrying luggage for guests. ;-D

I'll talk about shopping next time. Mike is going to show me how to insert pictures as well.