It's not working out terribly well. :(

The first day was spent traveling. My husband had developed food poisoning, so we had a late start. We were going to take the train, but that would have involved more walking and he wasn't up to that. We drove instead. When we reached our B&B we crashed. The next day we woke up early to return the car. That took another half day.

FINALLY we made it into Camden in the afternoon. It was a whim, but it was Sunday and we'd been told not to miss Camden on the weekend, so we went. I was shocked and pleased that there were so many weirdos there that I seem positively dull in comparison. Usually I'm the enormous peacock in the room. Not so in Camden. I was a bit disappointed in the stalls nearest the tube. Cheapy stuff. Things I would have bought when I was 13. We made our way towards the Chalk Farm tube stop and found that things became a lot more interesting. I bought some silver jewelery and Bear (my husband's nickname, please don't picture him as a large, hairy, bald guy) bought a velvet blazer in a vintage clothing store. We had tangine over rice for dinner and then came home.

Today we are sore. All of this walking is killing us. Especially me. My back is aching and I had to take Vicodin... which is why it's noon and I'm still in the B&B. We're going to have a quiet day today. We might go to Harrod's later. I had wanted to have an afternoon tea there, but it seems you must book in advance. Oh, well.

I have figured out why the English drink so little, by the way. It's because there are no restrooms! Well, there are... but not when you need them. And they're hidden. I've spent most of this trip having to pee. D:

Also, why do your potato chips say "ready salted" on them? Why not just "salted?" As opposed to unready salted? I am confused.

Oh, we had fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's. Wow! That was deeeelishussss. And HUGE. I must comment again on this notion that the portions in America are larger than here. They SO are not. Everywhere we go they give us so much food that there's no hope of finishing it all. The world has this idea that Americans eat an unhealthy diet, but for the most part we eat like you do. In fact, I dare say we eat less fat than I'm encountering in England. And maybe even less sugar, because like I mentioned in my Manchester thread, you can't escape candy here. It's everywhere you look.

Coffee and tea observations: You guys are overbrewing (bitter) your coffee and serving it too weak (too much water/milk). This might be your preference since I notice it happens even in big chains like Starbucks. Still, you should try it the American way. Non-bitter coffee with less water and/or milk.
And listen you guys, I'm irritable about your tea comments on solo over the years. (Not YOURS... but some comments I've received from various English people here.) I am mad for tea, you see. Sometimes it comes up in my conversation. Invariably some English person will mock my tea-drinking since I'm probably drinking weak American generic tea. Actually my preference is Twining's. But most places I go here, including pubs and B&Bs, they serve Tetley's! We have that in America. It's just boring old tea. I thought tea over here was a huge deal and that it would at least be PGTips or Barney's or something.

All right, let's move away from beverages.

I love the free feeling I have here. I don't feel as monitored here. In America I think people are more judgmental of everything an individual chooses to do with their life and their time. Am I wrong? People here seem to just eat what they want, dress how they want, wear their hair how they want, etc. Nobody seems to be hassling anyone over these things. I saw a group of teens walking together. One had a green mohawk and yet his companions seemed rather smartly dressed. Kind of mod.

Should I go to the Tower Of London, or not? Will I love it or hate it? Should I go to a castle or not? What tube stop(s) should I emerge from to see the most action with the least walking? Advice?

I should skip the Jack The Ripper tour, shouldn't I? Lots of walking just to see a bunch of nothing, right?

I only have one more day here. :( It's a shame.

Ah, you need Phill's book, Panic On The Streets. Do you have it?

Peter

Ah, you need Phill's book, Panic On The Streets. Do you have it?

Peter

Well, the only place I'm really interested in, Smiths-wise, is the chip shop where they broke up. We still might go there. Not sure.

Ugh. It's so difficult getting around. Everything takes so long. I should probably mention that where I live (a suburb/small town near DC) there is no public transportation, so this is unusual and unwieldy to me.

Ah, you need Phill's book, Panic On The Streets. Do you have it?

Peter

I've already suggested to use JJ's print out walking tour plan a month ago. ;)

I took my American guest to Camden market yesterday! He nearly bought one of those velvet jackets!
Wierd!
Horrible weather yesterday though. Nicer today. He's gone walking around Hyde Park and we may do an open-top bus tour. A quick and painless way to see all the sights. We're out in Soho tonight - I shall keep my eyes peeled for an American looking tourist and her Boosh-loving Bear.

Do the "Jack The Ripper" tour. I'll admit JTR is a bit of an obsession of mine, but the tour is great anyway.

Scarlet, I'm sorry about all the things that have happened to you during this trip, but they could've happened anywhere else too, even at home. And at least you speak the language. Being a tourist involves a lot of walking, you probably knew that. All in all, chill out and enjoy, after all you are in one of the coolest places on Earth. ;)

Hi, I'm the resident crisp expert, let me help you with your query.
I think 'ready salted' is opposed to 'unready salted' i.e. you can get crisps over here called salt n shake where you get a little sachet of salt to put in the crisps yourself, so those, in effect, would be unready salted.
:)

starbucks is shit:cool:


ready salted are called that because they are 'ready salted', you used to get bag of crisps with a little bag of salt, so you add your amount of salt.


where was my invite to camden market:tears::p

sorry, I didnt notice you'd already answered this. Durrr.

Scarlett, I am so enjoying your travel posts. You bring back memories of my own journeys.

You like "high tea" with all the teas and sandwiches and little sweet things; the kind of stuff little girls fantasize about with their dollies propped up in chairs. Make a reservation at any of the better hotels there, or ask for a recommendation from the B&B. Not cheap, but you are spending money anyway, right?

No, there is nothing to "see" on the Jack the Ripper walk; all the more reason to go in the early evening. It's all in the storytelling.

Like in New York, there is the half-price ticket booth located in the theatre district. If you are not too picky, take a load off your feet and see an early performance of whatever is available. You will get good seats without even trying.

Yes, go visit the Tower of London and yes, take a day trip somewhere to see a castle or garden. I liked Hampton Court. Ask and ye shall receive.

Take care of yourselves.

Hi Scarlet! It's great to read your update. You're in LONDON. *swoon*

This thread makes me think, what would I do in London? Not that that will happen any time soon, but.....

I'm a theatre nerd. Any good plays to see right now? I'd want to see the Oscar Wilde / Shakespeare sites.

I'd want to see Victorian architecture, old sections of town where it feels all mystical and ghostly (if that still exists). Or does it feel more modern walking around? Do you occasionally get a glimpse of, say, Dickens' days?

I love reading all of your "cultural" observations. I'm shocked about the tea thing!

Looking forward to more!!!!

London is not the world!!

You need to visit some really nice places like the New Forest and Devon.

Stinky old cities.

Glad your'e enjoying yourself!!