Touristy London

On January 31st, after a few days of recovery, Libby and I decided to get up and knock some things off the "Tourist List." Since we live here, we've been very concerned with finding the underlying secret London. Touristy London was put on the back burner seeing as its always there and we can go any time. Today, we decided any time was now.

We started at madame Tussauds Wax Museum by Baker Street. For a joint ticket of 39 pounds, you gt entrance into Madame Tussauds and a ride on the London Eye. Libby and I, being the thrifty girls that we are, decided to save a few bucks and buy the joint tickets. If you're planning to come to London and see both of these attractions, the joint ticket is definitely the way to go. We also got lucky that it was a peculiarly sunny day for London.

Inside the wax museum, it was like one long photo shoot. Once I realized you could touch and fondle the statues, the real fun began. After pictures with the red carpet walkers, we moved on to Disney channel stars, into movie actor and directors, sport people, British royalty, and finally political figures. Favorite pictures of the day= Margaret Thatcher, Pope John Paul II, and Henry VIII.

After a short tube ride (which was actually horrific to figure out because half the tube lines were shut down) we came out on the south bank of the Thames and were eclipsed by the London Eye. Before entering the pods for out trip around, we watched a 4D movie about the Eye (worthless but fun nonetheless). Upon boarding, Libby and I were in a state of utter and divine happiness. After phone calls and texts to love ones telling them where we were (in the hopes of making them incredibly jealous) another photo shoot began. This time however, we were not the subjecs of these photos. It reminded me of the scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when they are at the top of the Sears Tower looking down and Sloane says "It looks so peaceful from up here." London, while hustling and bustling around on street level was serene and calm from the air. One of the best parts about waiting to ride the Eye until a few weeks into our adventure was that fro the air, we could point out areas and landmarks from the air. We finally saw all of London and how it laid out. As the sun set in front of us, I couldn't have imagined a better experience on the Eye.

After a nice dinner at the Red Lion Pub right up from 10 Downing Street, we headed home, wrapped head to toe in happiness from our amazing day in Touristy London.

My 21st Birthday

Started well...ended with me safe in my bed...in between is a blur. good night. :)

Come Dine With Me!

While many American TV shows are very popular across the pond, Britain does have many original shows, one of which, Come Dine With Me, has become the inspiration for many a Poobeaurice night. Basically, a group of people (4-5 if I understand it correctly) each make a meal at their home that is attended by the other members of the group. After dinner, they go into a room with a camera (very Big Brother style) and give the meal a rating. The person who gets the best rating overall gets a prize and bragging rights. While I have never seen the show, the Brits have informed me that the greatness of the show has nothing to do with the food or people but with the narrator. When I told the group that I wanted to make them an American dinner, one dinner spurred into a Come Dine With Me extravaganza that is still incomplete to this day. After each meal, we go give a score on Katy's computer and at the end, we'll watch the scores, crown a winner, and that person gets an all expense paid trip to How's Your Father? Can you say jaegerbombs!!! (I really hope I win but I think Krish has taken the cake)

We began with Nikki, the token vegetarian, who made stir-fry. A little spicy, and the first time I had ever tried tofu, but all in all an awesome meal.

I was next. I like to call it Dinner de Americano. I went a little overboard and decided on a menu of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and a from-scratch apple pie with ice cream for dessert. I spent the better part of 6 hours prepping this wonderful meal and let me just say, it was well worth it. The Brits had never had meatloaf before (shocking!) and the sides were just my favorite meatloaf sides while at home. I had to ask Kate Happe for her recipe as she is the master of meatloaf and it turned out perfect. I did burn the top crust of the pie but I just rolled out a new one and baked it again, no harm no foul. Everyone loved it. Including Libby, Sami, and Adele who came as my American support...thanks lovelies. :)

Josh was next, chicken skewers and stir-fry, more spicy than I normally like but still delicious.

Cat was next, sausages (not at all like American sausages) and a cheesecake for dessert.

Sofia made some type of casserole type dish that was awesome.

Krish is the only meal that I really remember for two reasons; it is the most recent of the dinners and it was the first time I had ever had duck. Let me tell you, every chance since then that I have been able to order duck, I have. Thank you Krishnan for introducing me to the wonderful world of duck. :)

Katy went just last night and made chili (a little spicy but awesome) and fajitas with a nacho starter. Everyone ate way too much and went home happy.

The best part about Come Dine With Me is that we all get together for dinner, chat about our days, discuss plans for the night, and just have time to be together. When I think about it now, these were some of the best nights, just sitting around and sharing some food. These people are nothing short of amazing. :)

Brick Lane Market

Sunday January 23rd

In St. Louis, the only market I know of (besides the illegal purse market) is Soulard. In London, markets are all over the place and each market is known for selling different things from jewelry and clothes to antiques to flowers. Whole markets dedicated to flowers...can't wait until the spring to see these markets in all their glory but I digress...

Brick Lane Market is one of the closest to my campus and is mostly home to incredible jewelry, awesome clothes, and one of a kind accessories...not to mention the huge food hall area with cuisine from all over the world. The best thing about Brick Lane Market is that it doesn't really get rolling until 11am at the earliest which means that there is no near to race against the sun to be there on time so you don't miss anything. After a short walk past some of the best curry restaurants in London, a warehouse has been converted into an indoor market with three levels. The first level has the food hall and a ton of vendor stalls, second floor has more stalls plus an area with picnic tables to rest and eat at, and the third floor is a vintage market with everything from shoes and clothes to jewelry and purses.

On this particular morning, we walked from Liverpool Street tube station through the windy streets of Shoreditch and eventually landed at the market. After shopping for a few hours with Ben, Amy, Libby, Sofia, Josh, and Adele, the Americans were left in the dust as the Brits moved onto the next market. Libby, Adele, and I then decided to get lunch from this restaurant/bowling alley called All Star. If you ever come to London and miss fluffy buttermilk pancakes, All Star is the only place to go. After a month of scones, croissants, and baked beans for breakfast, a traditional American breakfast was incredible. The best part about this restaurant though was not the breakfast, but the Blue Moon with sliced orange that was served along side it. (Well, technically Libby ordered it but that lightweight can't handle anything...haha) The best part about Brick Lane, its a short distance away from a tube that goes right to Mile End...of the joys of the tube.

I've been back to Brick Lane in the last month and find it more amazing every time. There is always a new booth or food hall...tons of people lining the streets selling everything you could ever need from plumbing supplies to sausages to vinyl records. More markets are on definitely on the agenda. :)