ENGLAND, Explore it and meet the people.
Written: Mar 20 '03 (Updated Mar 20 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Warm people with a weird sense of humour, much history, lovely countryside
Cons: They speak English but not all that well.
The Bottom Line: My wife and I, and my son while touring in England, have made many friendships that are long lasting and true. We also loved the history and sites.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: England |
I have been fortunate enough to visit England twice. More importantly I have, through a band my son was in, met some wonderful, warm, wacky, and long lasting friends.
GETTING AROUND
Through business I traveled to London. The airport, Heathrow, was large but efficient. In traveling we found that the trains were a good way to get around. They do get to most large cities and towns. We did take a train to Windsor and Eton. It was easy.
While in London we traveled the tubes. They were conveniently located near the sites we wanted to visit. The stations were clean and direction was easy to follow.
We also used the taxis. The drivers are extremely professional. They know where everything is and were very friendly and helpful. Taxis, in London, are slow due to congested traffic during rush hours. Use the tubes whenever possible. They also have busses, those cool looking double deckers, but we never used them. Be careful stepping off the curbs. The drivers are fast and we, from the US, are used to looking for traffic on the left first. The cars are coming from the right.
We rented a car for a few days traveling through the Cotswolds. The process is very easy with a New York State license. The only problem is that they built the cars with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the vehicle. I suppose to compensate for that mistake they thought it better to drive on the wrong side of the road too. Silly people. It didn't take me too long to get used to it. The driving on the left side of the road wasn't too bad. It was the steering wheel on the right that took a bit more work. I had to remember how much car was on my left. I may have trimmed a few hedge rows and adjusted the mirror a few times, but, aside from that I got to where I needed to go.
FOOD
I remember before leaving to England people telling me the food is awful. That wasn't my experience. I enjoyed eating out there. The pubs are great and the food was excellent. England like so many other countries, specifically the US and in the New York area, have much in International Cuisine. Thia food restaurants were all over the place. They were terrific. Italian and Indian foods were also excellent. I enjoyed good old fish n chips too.
When we took a few days tour of the English countryside we enjoyed the food again. We had the best of breakfast at a B&B we stayed at. I love those English sausages. I can't say I went out of my way to try blood pudding while there.
Just a reminder, you can find all your fast food places there as in the states.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Like most big cities, London has its mix of quality places and dumps. The first time there we were set up by the people who booked us to work there. I suppose they were trying to save a few bucks or should I say pounds? The place was like a dorm with tiny little beds that were on wheels. I would sit on it and would roll halfway across the room. The door to our room had many marks on the jamb, showing that someone, without a key, was trying to enter the room. We didn't feel too safe.
We quickly checked out and found a small place that was charming and the price was still economical. The second time we came we booked our own room. We stayed at the Chesterfield Hotel. It was a great place, centrally located, clean, and had its own restaurant and bar. It also had a terrific concierge. The people here as in all of London were very friendly and helpful.
Our friends that we traveled with did some gambling at the Ritz Hotel, it was in the upper range of places to stay. We didn't stay there, however, it was gorgeous.
While in the countryside we stayed with B&Bs. This is definitely a way to meet people and learn a bit more about them
Quick story; On our first day at the B&B my wife and I were talking to the proprietor who was very busy tidying up the place. I had my maps in hand and asked about different places of interest. The conversation went on for a while and she gave me some good directions and info. At one point she told me she was going to Hoover and then had a bit of marketing to do. I, being inquisitive, asked her where Hoover was and if there was anything of interest there. She slowly turned around, looked at me, smiled and said. "In the states you vacuum, in England we Hoover."
THE PEOPLE
There were a few other little differences between Americans and the English that I managed to find while there. At the same time we have differences we Americans and the English have so much in common. Hey, we both fought in the American Revolutionary War, didn't we?
The fact is, being in England, I found a kinship with these Brits. They are a warm people with a slightly strange sense of humour.
My son was in a band by the name of Wheatus. They did pretty well in the international sales of a couple of singles and their first album. They toured England a number of times. They had a website and through it I met a couple of people that I believe will be life long friends.
One person was a cop I met. I'll call her Jude. She was doing some work for the fan club over in England and through the website and then talking to each other on the telephone we became good friends. She came over to the states a year and a half ago to see NYC. She stayed with a band counterpart in New York. I picked her up at the airport, she met my family and spent a day together. I was able to spend another day with her and we walked the city. The day she was to leave was the afternoon of September 11th, 2001. Needless to say she didn't fly out for another week. Jude also showed the same feelings we New Yorkers and Americans had to the loss of life in that terrible tragedy. Many in England hold those same feelings today and that is what makes the US and England strong partners.
Another person, I'll call him Glenn, is an artist. We also met on the same website. Like I said, at the time the band was very popular in England, toured many times, and had two hit singles along with an album that did very well. Glenn was willing to do some art for the band. We talked, made some connections, and he started doing some work for them. The important thing here is that we became friends. I found it very easy to do with the English people. He definitely has a weird sense of humour, and that is something that I find easy to like. I found the English direct and to the point with their thoughts, yet easy going. He has visited us here in the states twice. The last time, on his birthday, we set up a murder mystery game in our home. We had a great time and he said, he "will never forget our great times together". He will be visiting again next month. My wife and I know we have an open invitation to stay with Jude or Glenn any time we go back to England. We do intend to take them up on that. Be sure, when in England, to talk to the people. They speak English so it's easy. They are wonderful to get to know. I have met a couple of people here at Epinions and I have to say the same about them. Fortunately we communicate in the written word. I don't know if I could understand their talking.
SITES TO SEE
We were in London twice so we did get to do some of the town. I just love the history there. The Kings and Queens of old, and those who are now continuing old traditions but now very much in the public eye. Visiting the places where so much history took place was very interesting to me. Places like The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abby must be on your to do list.
MUSEUMS
We were fortunate enough to visit the Tate Gallery> My wife being an art teacher and artist herself was able to "loin me " about some of the masters. I enjoyed it! London has many other complete and comprehensive museum. Look them up.
THE THEATRE
One thing I highly recommend while in London is going to a show. I am a big fan of Le Miserables. We have seen in in NY twice. I do hope to see it one more time before it closes next month. Anyways, we saw it there. It was incredible!!! The stage was a bit smaller than NY's but the power of the actors and the music was amazing. We loved it! We also were able to see an American show Carousel while there. They do a play well. Sadly, we never caught any Shakespeare. Hopefully next time. The theatres themselves were beautiful and well maintained.
A BIT MORE
There is so much more to see in just London alone. Walking around the city be sure to spend some time in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. There are also some very fine areas for shopping and don't forget Harrods. Be sure to get the big picture by taking a ride on THE EYE, the Millennium wheel. For those who don't know it's the worlds largest ferris wheel. It's huge!!!!
THE COUNTRYSIDE
There is so much more of the country I would like to see. We did rent a car and do the Cotswold"s. That basically means "Gods High country". It is beautiful. We were in this area in November. The grass was still a very rich green. The sheep were starting to build full coats of wool eating it. I loved the rolling hills and the quaint little towns. Each town had its own special feeling and history.
We also visited Windsor Castle That was really great because we were there on a particularly gloomy day and I shot a couple of rolls of black and white film. The pictures came out well. There was some great shopping there and just a short walk over a bridge and you can see Eton too.
OTHER CITIES
England has so many cites to see. I didn't get to see many of them. For my son it was different. Some of the places he toured are Portsmouth, York, Peterly, Leicester, Milton Keys, Wrexham, Liverpool, Oxford, Cardiff, Paisley, Scun thorpe, Peterborough, Whitehaven, Hull, Manchester and Mansfield. There were many many others too. He has made friends with many people he met in these cities and, though he is long out of the band, he still has contacts with many of the people he and his wife met while on the road.
OTHER SITES
England has some history that goes way back. Just exactly who did build Stonehenge. It was awesome to see. If you do get there be sure to look up its, not as famous, yet still interesting, Avesbury. It too has stones from way back when.
The Romans also made their mark in England. I found the Baths fascinating. Right in the middle of England you find old Roman ruins. Be sure to visit the historic city of Bath, with its Roman buildings, medieval structures, Abby's, and little streets to wander through that are written about in contemporary times by the likes of Jean Austin.
I suppose I could go on about England. There is so much more to explore there. I hope to visit the sites and some wonderful English friends.
other reviews by popsrocks
London
http://www.epinions.com/content_89080172164
Chesterfield Hotel
http://www.epinions.com/content_81955294852
Bath
http://www.epinions.com/content_82045865604
Cotswolds
http://www.epinions.com/content_81986424452
Stonehenge
http://www.epinions.com/content_7645308900
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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