Thanks for everyone’s patience as I get back in my groove after my trip! I am finally going through my pictures of London, and hopefully India soon!
Honestly, I had a difficult time in London. It was the farthest I had ever been away from home, and even though it is very similar to the US, it is still very different.
My first thought when I got off the plane was that London is exactly how it is portrayed in movies, books, etc. Dreary, cloudy, rainy, foggy, blah. This was the very fabulous view from my hotel room.
Our hotel was very close the the airport, and supposedly was an “airport hotel”. Meaning that a lot of pilots and flight attendants stay at this hotel in between trips. I guess I thought for that reason it would be easier for foreigners to adapt, but I did not find that to be the case!
When we got to the hotel, I had some issues with my credit cards not working – even though I had called them to tell them I would be traveling outside the US. That in itself was very frustrating, and left me feeling like I was penniless! I did eventually get that resolved, but it was very stressful. Then when I got up to my room, there was the power adapter issue. I knew that the power outlets would be different in the UK, but no one at the hotel seemed to know what kind of converter I would need for my US devices.
After a nap, and being able to connect with my husband, I felt slightly better, but I just wasn’t enjoying my time in London. Dinner at the hotel was less than stellar, so I was actually looking forward to the next day when I would meet my UK based co-workers.
That part definitely was better, and we did get our work goals accomplished, and they showed us around a little bit.
We were only in London for 3 days, so we didn’t have much time to do a lot of sightseeing. However, on the last day, we took the tube (underground train) into London, and had a little fun.
Mmmmm coffee! Strong coffee! My hubby had told my coffee in London would probably be more like espresso, and it was! It was good though!
We saw the London Eye, Big Ben, Parliament …
A few random thoughts:
- In the US, when our stoplights turn – they go green, yellow, red, then back in green. In London, they go green, yellow, red, back to yellow, then green. So everyone will start taking off when the light hits yellow!
- I really got carsick, and I never get carsick! I think it was a combination of driving on the wrong side of the road (for me), sitting in the backseat (something I never do – I am usually driving!), and all the roundabouts in London. I never actually got sick, but I was queasy a lot of the time!
- None of the food in London really spoke to me. It was ok – but I didn’t have anything that was totally awesome. I had lots of fried food (something I don’t normally eat), and some ok chicken dishes. Plus it didn’t help the guy from work that was with me is totally a fast food kind of person
- Here is the US, when crossing a street, I am used to looking right, then looking left. It was the opposite in London, and I was constantly looking the wrong way! In downtown London, and streets actually told you which way to look!
- The first day at work, when we went out to lunch, I asked for ice tea, and they looked at me like I was crazy. I did eventually get some iced tea, but I guess it isn’t common to drink there?
All in all, it was a good experience, and the people I met at work really made my time there. Soon we were leaving, and it was off to India!
We found the same iced tea issue in Amsterdam. We drink a lot of unsweetened iced tea here and could not find that at all. They are not big on ice at all. If you order a coke or water you might get 1 or 2 cubes and that is it. London doesn’t seem all that exciting to me either, but I am sure if you could get someone local to show you around it could be great.
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Well good to know it wasn’t just me! Maybe iced beverages is just a US thing, I don’t know.
I had a friend from England who said that ice isn’t really a thing there – she even drank her sodas at room temperature. Totally boggled my mind.
Thank you for sharing your photos! It looks like you had a really great time
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I asked for ice water once too, and really got a strange look! ha! I guess it isn’t a big thing there … personally I have to have my beverages chilled!!
Funnjy you mentioned the walking thing – it’s been years since I’ve been to London, but I remember those “look this way” type of signs, and how I would always look the wrong way. And I swear (though people don’t believe me) that I am now confused over which way is right and which is left because of my time over there.
haha, I know! That is how I feel now!
I would love to visit England someday, but I’ve always suspected that I wouldn’t be a huge fan of the food. Sounds like you were able to make the most of the situation.
It generally takes me a day or two to reorient to looking towards the opposite direction when we visit my husband’s family in Mozambique. Even my husband started driving the wrong way the first time we returned.
I look forward to reading about your experience in India.
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That’s crazy about their streetlights! That would be hard to get used to. Who would think a simple drink such as iced tea wouldn’t be common there too. I bet you’re glad to be home
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I am soooo glad to be home!!!
I’m sorry you had such a tough time. But your pictures are very nice. Love the recap.
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Thanks Farrah! It was a great experience!
That is odd that your credit card company blocked the charge when you called ahead and made your travel plans known. Sorry that you had that stress upfront! I would have thought that Londoners drink their tea iced but I guess not. Your UK coworkers sound nice. Can’t wait to hear about India.
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I know, right?? I thought iced tea would be more popular there, but I guess not! The India posts are coming
What a treat to experience other parts of the world!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures!!
I get car sick from sitting in the back seat, so often I just drive myself when others are carpooling.
What a lovely looking cup of coffee! really, really served with a heart shape, tee hee, love that!
Glad you got to do some sight seeing.
And, I know it must feel very, very good to be back home to your own bed, to your husband, and lil’ Sammy too:)
Blessings, Deanna
PS- I thought of you when I posted about my Bok Choy! I cooked and all!!!!! I think pretty ‘healthy’ … if we were neighbors I would have surely shared with you!!!
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Thanks Deanna, you are so sweet! We would definitely share food if we lived close! Maybe the car sick did have to do some with riding in the back seat, or maybe just a combination of everything!! But, yes, the best part was coming home!!
I can’t believe the people at the hotel didn’t know what type of adapter you needed! It’s not like you were the first American to stay there! I’m glad everything worked out for you with your UK co-workers. Since that was the main purpose of the trip, then that’s a good thing! In reference to iced tea, I had the same experience on a winter trip to the northeast U.S. Restaurants don’t serve iced tea there, so I would order hot tea and a glass of ice.
Isn’t is good to be home?!
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That is what I thought too — I am sure a ton of Americans visit London and that hotel, but whatever. No iced tea in the northeast??? That is so weird! I grew up in the midwest and iced tea was a staple!
I love London!! I wish I could take you back and take you to all my favorite restaurants!! They have wonderful places, and they are all really good about watching for food allergies and gluten.
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