I'm in London! And I don't think I want to go home.

[Pacifist Patriot]

Of course that could just be the spectacular weather relative to the oppressive heat and humidity home in Florida. I also have 1/4 the square footage and weekly maid service. The boys have no television stations they like and my husband is bringing home dinner of curried prawns. Life is good! This she says despite breaking a toe the afternoon before scheduled to leave.

Enjoyed Virgin Atlantic, Passport Control at Gatwick is quite personable and the taxi driver was a hoot. My seat mate on the plane was absolutely fascinating and my children were sitting one row across and back from me. Does it get any better than that?

I'm leaning away from teasing my husband and heading toward totally serious. If the GOP retains the White House I really want him to take the job permanently here.

Cheers!

[mr blur]

1. Glad you like it here!

I'm surprised the boys can't find enough US imports on the box, though. One of ours seems to watch nothing else. Try themn with the BBC - no commercials!

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. It's more a matter of me not being able to figure out the telly and the...

skydigibox. I have this high-tech disability. If it requires batteries or a cord someone has to walk me through it.

[Kutjara]

10. If you get Sky satellite TV, you'll never know...

...you left the States. It's owned by Murdoch and often gets Fox programming before Fox does. And yes, it's every bit as vacuous as its American counterpart. :)

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. Yep, that would be the package.

[billyskank]

2. I'm glad Britain is treating you kindly.

The words I had with the management must have had their effect. :hi:

[FunkyLeprechaun]

3. London's lovely

But America is cheapo... I'm going back with an empty suitcase and filling it up with goodies!

[Sequoia]

4. Do your children have rosy red cheeks?

England swings like a pendulum do,
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two,
Westminster Abbey the tower of Big Ben,
The rosy red cheeks of the little children.

Now, if you huff and puff and you fina'lly save enough
Money up to take your family on a trip across the sea,
Take a tip before you take your trip; let me tell you where to go,
Go to Engeland, Oh;

Mama's old pajamas and your papa's mustache,
Falling out the window sill, frolic in the grass,
Tryin' to mock the way they talk fun but all in vain,
Gaping at the dapper men with derby hats and canes

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I don't know about the rose red cheeks, but they are rather cheeky.

[Sequoia]

7. I dare say chap, you're starting to talk like an Englishman(woman)

What's a pack of fags cost?

Have you checked under the bonnet lately?

Do you like bangers and mash, biscuits with tea?

What's the cost of petrol?

Do babies get pushed around in a pram, do your kids take pencils with rubbers to school?

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. Hmm....

I don't smoke so I don't know.

Car was running fine.

I'm a vegetarian, but the biscuits and tea this afternoon were define.

Not driving so I didn't even register the cost at the BP I spied on the way in.

Lots of prams spotted, but sadly British school boys have picked up on the alternate meaning and snicker when someone asks to borrow a rubber.

[Audio_Al]

8. Pacific Patriot, you lucky person. London is wonderful! Enjoy, but be careful.

Do try to get to Covent Garden -- just a perfectly delightful place! The courtyard has free entertainment. Perhaps you'll want to eat at their small restaurant -- we've been there twice. Or you can just walk by and hear some talented people performing there.

Respectfully,

Audio_Al

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. Will do! And...

welcome to DU!

[Sanity Claws]

9. I wish you a great vacation

As for living there, I think you'll change your mind once you experience the rain, fog, and short days of November through March or so. Gloomy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Good point. I'm a SAD sufferer. Boston damn near killed me.

On the other hand, they aren't being ruled by the GOP,

[Darth_Kitten]

11. I just came back a few days ago!!!!.......

it was great!!!!

[LSK]

12. I dont know if you are staying there, but SEE THE DOCTOR

Get all your medical needs fulfilled while you are in a MODERN COUNTRY.

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. LOL! You sound like my parents.

I'm fine really. I've had a broken toe before. There isn't a whole lot you can do about it. I am not about to let it slow me down with the opportunity to explore another country,

I gave birth to three boys without so much as an aspirin. I can walk around London with a contused toe tip.

[Kutjara]

24. While you can get emergency care with few problems...

...a visit to a normal General Practitioner requires that you have a NI (National Insurance) number. Your NI number is the equivalent of your SSN over here, and, without it, you aren't entitled to free health care in the UK. To qualify for an NI number, you have to be legally resident in the UK. Citizens of European Union countries are also entitled to free health care in the UK under the EU reciprocity agreements, but visiting Yanks are out of luck.

The upside is that a visit to a GP, treatment and prescriptions are much cheaper in the UK than here, so if you had to go to the doc, you wouldn't go bankrupt. Several years ago, my mother had a heart valve replacement in the uK and the whole operation (procedure, medication, consultation, hospital stay, everything), cost under $2,500. I can't even imagine what it would cost here.

[Aristus]

13. Go down to Chinatown (Soho) pick up some good stuff,

then eat it on a bench near the statue of Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square.

Nothing like it.

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. Sounds like something I can fit in my schedule!

[Kutjara]

25. Tai Ka Lok on Gerard St. has the best crispy belly pork and crispy duck.

Simply heavenly.

on edit: Ah, but you're a veggie. Never mind. London is one of the world's great veggie cities. Pick up a copy of the Time Out Eating & Drinking guide and you'll be in veggie heaven.

[redqueen]

14. I bet you don't!

I know I wouldn't, either.

Glad you had such a great time. :)

[Lex]

19. I felt that way about London too

so I can totally relate.

Have fun!

[edbermac]

22. Was there in Oct/Nov 1992 in the Bayswater section.

Have you ridden the subway yet? When I first got there, this prerecored message boomed out over the loudspeaker 'MIND THE GAP...MIND THE GAP' It was like a scene out of Orwell's 1984.

My favorite part of the trip was picking up the paper a few days before my return and finding out that Bill Clinton was elected to his first term. I was sooooo happy!

[Kutjara]

26. Bank Station.

The "Mind the Gap" announcement at Bank tube station is famous even among Brits. The appropriate response is "MEND the bloody gap!"

I bought a "Mind the Gap" door mat from the BBC America website last year. :)

[CottonBear]

28. "Mind the Gap" is impossible to get out of one's head after a day on the Tube!

I have a "Mind the Gap" sticker for my car.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

23. Have you bought Mr. Brain's yet?

The name of their product for meatballs would surprise you. Believe me, I had a go at my partner for saying that this was ok in this country...

It's funny to say "fanny pack" in this country and see what the reactions are (even as my friends know I'm American).

[Kutjara]

27. Faggots Rule!

I love Brain's Faggots. In their "rich West Country" gravy. Yuummmm.

And you forgot to mention "spotted dick." :D

[FunkyLeprechaun]

29. It feels SO wrong to say it..

and I've never tried spotted dick, am I being blasphemous?

[Kutjara]

30. It's lovely with custard.

I'm not making this up.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

31. Urgh.. it's a bit slimy...

Custard and Spotted Dick...

I hope I'm not going to lock this thread under the influence of red wine.....

[DarkTirade]

32. Hell, if we lose the next election I might join you.

I've already been thinking about leaving the nasty oppressive heat down here for several years... :)