England, Or Like taking a Sip of Regular Pepsi when all you want is a Coke Zero.

So, after of three days in Amsterdam, the three of us boarded a train to London, the city of cities, well atleast in England.

First off, you have to remember, I have been living in a nation where reading the newspaper is about as challanged as doing a New York Times Crossword Puzzle, (a Monday, but a NYT one nontheless). Arriving in a nation that ACTUALLY spoke English, was, well mindblowing.

I was standing in line for coffee in the airport, and the man in front of me orded a salad with an accent, probably from Spain or Italy, Iwould guess. ANyways, he was understood, but nontheless had an accent. Suddenly, I realized that although I was in a nation that spoke my language, I was his equal, an accented foreigner. When it my turn to order, I became nervous, said coffee and while I did get the hot cup of deliciousness, it was more difficult than going to the Starbucks in Chicago.

The accent in London is comprehensible, but it all depended on the person. I realized Irish accents were actually more comprehensible, but also, it depended. All in all, people still speak differently, and although it was the same langugae, sometimes I could swear it was something alltogether different.

I guess that was the general London experience, it was heartbreakingly similar to a large American City, namely New York, maybe a little bit of Chicago. There were more Starbucks than I could believe, McDonalds, and Subways, and Burger Kings. There were people eating sandwiches, and more people eating sandwiches. There was pie, AND significantly less bakeries, Seven Eleven Type conviniences stores that were open 24 hours and that offered a variety of drinks. There was English! Everywhere! The signs! The Museums!

But alas, it was a facade. England is not America, and people still dressed better. People still were more harsh. Customer service was significantly lower. And people still had accents.

My experience in London was of the utmost touristy kind. I went to Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckinham Palace, took pictures infront of the guards while making silly faces. We wandered around town, aimlessly. I went to the National Gallery, admired there amazing collection of pretttyyy much everything. Went to the British Museum and marvled at the Rosetta stone. Went to a pub, got a drink, ate a meat pie. I had fish and chips. I had a lot more sandwiches.

But, all in all, I guess what I missed out on was really seeing London. On the one day I was by myself in the city, my friends had other plans, I went to the National Gallery and then wandered the streets of Soho. I got lost, on purpose, and found my way home. Meandered through the streets, packed densely with Brits and lost tourists, I stumbled upon the Fabric (store) District, the Gay (and sleezy store) District, and later, the Diamond District. It was a drizzly Sunday afternoon, and I just people watched.

The style in London is different, more punk rock, dirtier, grittier, and yet, more refined. Color is not what is important in clothes, its fit, shape, form, idea. Almost any man under 35 wore skinny jeans, and blouses billowed from underneath warm leather bomber jackets. Scarves hung around the necks of everyone. EVERYONE. Tall boots with pantyhose and shorts were the style of the moment, and a fusion of Boho style with Banana Republic type refinement would be a good description.

My goal was to make it to Smithfield market, a raucaus market of flea type, with everything and anything. I finally pulled out my map, made my way over, and arrived, only to see an empty Smithfield, probably closed because of the weekend, the cold, the rain, or because I am just not very lucky when it comes to the stupid little things. Needless to say, I turned myself around and walked over to a nearby grocery, purchased fruit pastilles (sold in tube form, its a gummy candy I can enjoy for only 170 calories in the entire package...which really isnt that bad when you think about it) and walked home.

Well, London, we had a good time. I will continue my stories later...but now, off to class.