Finally an update!
And there really is not much to tell! We took a break from touristy stuff and just did normal living this month, though we of course still dabbled here and there!
Tourist Moment # 1: Tried Haggis! Yep, mixture of lots of organs all stuffed into a pig's bladder and spiced with some amazing stuff! It sounds digusting, but Lenny and I bid one another luck and tried a nibble and before you knew it our bladder was gone :)!
Tourist Moment # 2: Halloween in London. Now we did not go out because at the time we were living in this ghetto of Harlesden, but holy cow London takes every opportunity to light off fireworks and wear incredible outfits. There are no pull a sheet over your head and cut out some eyes Ghosts over here! It is full body, flat out masterpeice custume making. Mummies, zombies with what looked like actual decaying skin, celebreties that looked really darn close to the real thing, and of course a lot of footballers! Fireworks are a huge thing over here, anyday of the year really, but they went off like mad on the 31st! We are going to Guy Hawkes day which is a celebtration of a time when a dude was burned at the stake and ended a revolution. Yes, a morbid day to celebrate, but like I said Londoner's take any opportunity they can to light off hundreds of fireworks across the city. Blackheath is supposed to one of the greatest ones so providing it goes ahead as scheduled (the fire brigade has gone on strike...random I know...since when could firemen go on strike??) we are going to attend that!
Tourist Moment # 3: Flatsharing! We moved into our first official flatshare on October 31st and are currently living in a 4 story very tall but not that wide house with too many spiral stairs! The owner is a delightful and charasmatic freelance tv producer and director and his house is filled with artifacts and artisitic expressions from around the world. We don't see a whole lot of him though as his work has him traveling quite frequently, in fact this week he is off to Pakistan.
Tourist Moment # 4: Yorkshire Pudding. Now I have never researched this particular delicacy of the Brit's, probably just because I always assumed it was either some sort of nutmeg, date oatmeal concept or a pudding. Instead it is pancake batter shaped into a bowl that you are supposed to pour gravy over. Lenny ate his, I thought it was disgusting (and yes, this did occur a few days after the Haggis so I understand the ridiculousness of hating it and loving the haggis!)
Tourist Moment # 5: Discount market alley. In Walthamstow, where we are currently living (pronouced Walth-am-st-o for all those who perhaps like me ad an ow at the end instead of just an o sound...they get very upset these locals!). Anyway, in this little town inside a city there is a very large (something like 1mile or longer) market of discount shops, restaurants, grocers, cafes, even fish markets where the fish are packed in ice and laid out on the street for people to grab. The street is cobble stoned and there are thousands of people yelling, screaming, grabbing items or trying to convince you to grab items. It was chaotic but also incredible in terms of all the different culture.
Tourist Moment # 6: I am a minority in Walthamstow where the majority of the population is from the middle east or India. In fact today as I went strolling along I ended up in a store where there were over a hundred muslim women. One, I was the only white person. Two, I was the only one not wearing a jihab. I left right away. It is strange to be in a town where you hear very little english, and where walking around with jeans and a ponytail feels uncomfortably rude. I think I am going to walk in a different direction tomorrow!
News: Lenny is working as a fundraiser for a charity called Actionaid. He hates it; but the purpose is worth it!
Anyway, there really isn't a whole lot more to tell! We are going to the Natural History Museum on Thursday, and if there weather stays promising for Sunday we are hoping to make the long anticipated trip to Greenwich for the day as well as the Camden Street Flower Market.
Tube is back on strike for a few days this week so my travel plans to Notting Hill is on hold...
November is the month for appreciating what you have and taking advantage of it...so I am going to be on the hunt for some unique touristy locations. Will keep you posed as the unfold.
I felt bad for not updating, but as you can see NOTHING is happening! I will fill you in later this week as to any adventures with Guy Hawkes, and the possibilities that will unfold with a Sunday off!
Cheers.
Nicole
