1.
We’re not carrying water bottles when we go
out. I guess hydration isn’t an issue
here (OK, something of a joke – there has yet to be a day where it did not
rain, at least a little. I have not been
rained on this much in my entire life.
Seriously)
2.
I haven’t found very much in the way of unique
retail goods. Things to buy. Aside from direct souvenirs. My theory is that (obviously) the world is
becoming global. If you’ve got a good
enough retail idea to make a bunch of money in your own country selling it,
then you mobilize and take it around the world.
Seems like the only things that affect this are a)isolation (e.g.
language, cultural-specific, etc.),
b)affluence (or lack), c)not caring
about world markets (ex. “our culture is best and we don’t care to share it
that much, e.g. the French).
3.
In this, as well as other trips, one of the quandaries
is determining the difference, when seeing how people are dressed between bad
taste cultural norms.
4.
Fortnum and Mason’s was very interesting the
first time I came to London. But (and
maybe this is also a comment on #2 above), now it seems to be largely a
souvenir store. They even have their own
branded coffee (they’re known, I think, for tea). But we’re drinking better coffee from a local
roaster.
5.
We saved a bunch of money not taking a hop
on-hop off bus tour. Ordinarily these
work great. But, we’re here long enough
and trying to take busses rather than trains, that we’re seeing a good portion
of this city from the second floor of a bus.
6.
Have seen a number of acts of kindness. First one:
A “little old lady” was mumbling to herself. A woman went up to her and asked what
language she was speaking (was it mumble, or Spanish), and proceeded to help
her. Second: We were trying to find a
pub and asked a 20 year old who was crossing the street with us. He didn’t know where the pub was, but started
googling it to find our for us! Third:
Saw a man in a suit bend down as he was walking, pick up a piece of garbage
someone else had left, and throw it out.
Fourth: My prior “shoe is untied, sir” story.
7.
We’ve seen more Rolls Royce’s/Bentley’s in three
weeks, than in our lifetime – and we live in LA! I can spot 3-5 before I get to my first
sightseeing spot of a day.
8.
We feel very competent using the tube. It’s a bit more difficult in countries where
we don’t speak the language, or speak it poorly (France). Seems like the stages are: bewildered, adept,
competent, and then, “get out of my way, I’m trying to get someplace”.
9.
We continue to think we’ve lucked into a great
apartment. There is almost NO noise from
anywhere in the building (helps that there are only 3 units). Street noise is a block away and blocked by a
street full of taller buildings. And our
bus stop is 20 feet from a secret alleyway that leads to Cheval Street and our
apartment.
10.
Never a need to dress up? Packed too much, given that people mostly see
me encased in jackets, scarves, and sweaters.
And, that we have a washer-dryer.
11.
Skype is great.
As is Apple’s Facetime
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