If anyone has taken the time to read my last few posts, you may notice that there's quite a bit of material on Paris. I read about Paris. I dream about Paris. I like to eat Parisian foods. There's one small flaw in my Parisian fantasy: I've never actually been. I'm sure it's breathtakingly beautiful. I'm sure I could live there for years, never going hungry. But I'm also quite sure I'd stick out like a sore thumb. I don't speak French. I wouldn't know a Louis Vuitton if it fell on my head. And I'm definitely not, what the French would call, tres chic. No, secretly I know Paris really isn't "my" place. It's (I'm sure) not at all like England...
Now, England is definitely my cup of tea (see what I did there?). I say this of course only ever visiting London (and only doing that for 4 days.) But I must say, it made an impression. London to me, is the very definition of a perfect city. Where the Parisians are chic and uninterested, the Brits seem more down to earth and oh so polite. I wouldn't look as great as the Parisians do smoking a cigarette wearing a skinny jeans and a beret. In England anything goes. Of course, there are less vain reasons too.
The sights in England are collossal and seem to spring out of nowhere. How can you ignore the site of Tower Bridge rising out of the Thames or the beefeaters guarding it looking every bit like they do in children's stories? If the magnificent views of these monuments don't excite you, the history behind them will. We don't have that here in the states. That's what always fascinates me about the UK: the History. The magnitude of what has happened in one small country boggles my mind.
Of course, London loses a few points from me in one particular area. The food is...eh. I can't say much without being mean but somehow when the British were busy ruling the world, they missed the lessons on spices. I'll admit, the tea is just as outstanding as everyone says. And the crumpets that go with, are to die for. With the exception of Bangers and Mash (where has this meal been all my life?!) the food is bland and not so tasty. But I hear chefs are busy revolutionizing the cuisine with new ideas and tastes which definitely excites me for my next trip!
Of course what the Brits lose in food points, they more than make up for in literary points. It is by far the literary capital of the world. The list of classic authors, playwrights and works is neverending. Be still my book-loving heart!
As I'm here trying to explain to you why you should love England, I'm realizing I love it most for reasons I haven't even experienced yet. For such a small country, I'd need almost a year to explore it as I wish. I'd need to visit Cambridge to see a performance of the Footlights where Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson and Fry & Laurie began their careers. Then out of the city and into the country side to visit the market towns dotting the coast. Of course, then there's the Globe and Stratford-upon-Avon to appease the Bard-lover in me. Then Kensington palace, Cornwall and Brighton Beach. Liverpool to walk Abbey Road and dream of the Fab Four. And how can I forget Hay Fest? There's High Tea to be had and King Arthur and Holmes to investigate and faerie lore to buy...
Ok, so maybe I may need more than a year...
Tower Bridge
The Eye in the Sky
Parliament
Christmas windows
Tribute to Princess Di and Dodi Fayed in Harrod's
The street I stayed on in Notting Hill
Anyone who's ever seen Notting Hill should recognize this as the bookshop where Hugh Grant meets Julia Roberts
The Classic telephone booth
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