I Spy Friday

Another week has flown by and it's time to share some of the things I've spotted. 

I have to apologize.  

It's Friday evening and I'm lazy tired.   

So, a lot of pictures but not a lot of words.  

Spring is in the air and it seems that everyone wants to be outside.

On Sunday, we walked to the local pub, The Cock & Barrel.

Great place to sit outside and read or people watch.  

 That evening we tried Mexican again at Loco Mexicano.  

The decor included murals of Cuba. (?)

The nachos were made with Doritos and had green olives on them. (?)

The Mexican restaurants here usually include BBQ on their menus.  (?)

Everything is just a bit off.

But, as long as you realize it's not what you get at home, the food tastes great.  

 Monday was another beautiful day.  

We walked along the Thames to the Tate Britain Museum.  

It's not my favorite of the London Museums, but they have some great pieces and it's a beautiful building. 

  Today, we visited some of the large department stores on Oxford Street.  

They are amazing.  Like theme parks. 

 

The Fortnum & Mason all ready for the Diamond Jubilee. 

 Several of the stores have sections where you can find your American favorites.

  

 

 Bacon popcorn?  Ew.  A-1 Steak Sauce?  Yay!

  

That's about a $15 cake.  

   

I needed to stock up.  The Flipz were the the best!!

For lunch today, I met up with an old friend of Matt's and a new friend of mine. 

She is wonderful and we had a great time.

  She also introduced me to Dim Sum which was so nummy.  

It's Chinese bite-size dishes to share. 

 This guy accompanied me on the tube.  Looks like he's a regular, huh?

 

The lady across from him was eating a cupcake and he didn't take his eyes off of her. 

And these guys were on patrol on Oxford St.  

  I am absolutely falling in love with London.  What an amazing city?

 

You can step off at any tube station, explore just a few blocks

 and come across the most amazing sights.  

There is a treat around every corner. 

You can really be a Beau Brummel, baby, if you just give it half the chance.

-Billy Joel

(He is famous for changing men's fashion in Regency England.)

The weeks are flying by.

We have extended the lease in Notting Hill through the 1st week in April.  

We are still waiting on the magic phone call and confident that it will come soon.

Thanks so much for taking the time to check in with me.

xoxo

Selena

Here are my Photo a Day Instagram shots for the week...

Red

Someone I talked with today

 So thankful for FaceTime!!!

Clouds

 Italian Meringues from a cafe around the corner.  I'm dying to try one.  

Fork

Loud

 When we were on the bus Saturday, a rock hit and shattered the window.  

Sign

Car

 I took this from the window.  It looks like a toy car but it's a real one.

My Dear Juan Letter

Dear Tex-Mex,

This is so hard for me.  I never dreamed I would have to write this letter.  But, I just can't do this anymore.  I thought that we could make this long-distance thing work.  But, it's just too hard.  It's not you.  Please don't blame yourself.  It's just how life is sometimes.  

I've tried.  Oh, how I've tried.  I even went on a quest of sorts to stay connected to you.  I've been to the places you told me about.  I've connected with your "friends" here in London.  Last weekend, I even found myself visiting your '"Crazy Homies."  But, it was no good.  Even the two pomegranate margaritas could not hide the fact that something was still missing.  Queso!  Queso was missing and my heart broke all over again.  

And please don't blame this on my new expat friends.  They love you and they have been nothing but supportive.  They understand what we are going through.  They have even reminded me that I can find El Paso brand products at Tesco. 

I have another confession, Tex-Mex.  Please don't be angry.  Try to understand.  I've been spending some time with another new friend.  He's from India, but has lived in London for years.  We just met and it's nothing serious at all.  It's just... that he's trying to help me get through this.  I told him how you used to share a basket (or 8) of tortilla chips with me before dinner.  And I told him how much I loved the queso and salsa that you always made just for me.  I cried when I told him.  

The next night before dinner, he served me something called poppadoms.  He even included mango chutney and mint yogurt sauce.  He then served me something called Tandoori because he knew I was missing your fajitas.  For just a second, I almost forgot..  But, he is no you, Tex-Mex.  He is no you.  It's nothing, I'm sure.  I probably shouldn't have even mentioned it.  

So, you see.  I have to do this.  I have to say good-bye.  I have to end this now before it becomes unbearable.  I hope that someday you can forgive me.   And, who knows, Tex-Mex.  Life is crazy.  Maybe someday... some day in the distant future, we will pass each other on the street in some Texas town.  If and when that happens, Tex-Mex, I hope that we can smile, spend some time together... share a laugh.  You'll never know what you've meant to me.  I will never forget you.  

Love always,

Selena

The Wicked Queso Quest

Matt had interviews in London last week, so we decided to make it an overnighter.  I've only spent 4 days in London, so there are still a million things on the To Do list.  We decided to check a few more off. 

 

We stayed at the Grand Trafalgar because it was familiar and in a great location.  We couldn't get the heat turned off in the room (we're accountants, not engineers), so ended up sleeping with the window open.  The benefit was that we could hear the chiming of "Big Ben."  

The actual name of this iconic landmark is The Clock Tower.  Big Ben is the nickname of the 14.5 ton bell.   It is the biggest four-face chiming clock in the world and actually leans about 9 inches to the Northwest.  It became operational on September 7, 1859. 

St. Catherine's Chapel Garden at Westminster Abbey

When we were in London last July, we tried to visit Westminster Abbey but the line was crazy.  This time there was no queue or crowd so we were able to relax and enjoy exploring.  We are Audio-Tour geeks so of course we walked around with the earphones to our faces.  We even try to coordinate when we each push play so we are in sync.  (I told you... audio-tour geeks.)"  

It's beautiful and obviously full of history.  Founded in 960, it is the final resting place of both Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots (among many other Royals and nobles).  William the Conqueror was the first King crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1066. 

     

Cloisters of Westminster Abbey

Poet's Corner was very interesting.  Tennyson, Robert Browning and Charles Dickens are buried there.

I was able to put my hands on the oldest door in England which is a wooden door over 1,000 years old.  Pretty cool.

The Abbey has a completely different atmosphere from both Canterbury Cathedral and Notre Dame.  It is full of monuments to men, so doesn't have the sacred feeling of Canterbury or the divine feeling of Notre Dame.

Gargoyle of Westminster Abbey

Gargoyle of Westminster Abbey

I love the gargoyles.  They are water spouts to protect the masonry buildings.  The  grotesque forms are designed to scare off evil spirits and provide protection.   It seems that every one is different and more interesting than the previous. 

My Englishman at the Cloisters of Westminster Abbey

After being in England for three weeks, we were in desperate need of a Tex-Mex fix.  We decided to start trying out Mexican spots in London to see if we could find a favorite for our three times a week habit.  

We started our Queso Quest at Cantino Laredo in Covent Garden.  The chips were more Tostitos and less Mission Brand.  The salsa tasted good but not much kick and the queso was pretty cheddary.  It was good but rather bland.  I don't think we've found our spot just yet.   For lunch the next day we tried Chiquitos in Leicester Square.  It was  more casual and had the feel of a good Tex-Mex spot.  It is a UK chain.  We just had a quick lunch and didn't try the queso.  We will definitely try this one again.  

Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre

Next stop, the Apollo Victoria Theater.  I begged and pleaded to see Wicked while in London and Matt begrudgingly agreed.  I assured him that he would LOVE it.  I could tell early on by his body language that he was NOT loving it. He is a master at non-verbal communication!  At intermission he looked at me and said "What twaddle?!"  I thought the Wicked Uberfans around us were going to fetch the flying monkeys!


He did appreciate the production and the music.  He just didn't get the story.  I think he saw the Wizard of Oz once when he was ten.  And he couldn't get past the talking goat professor.  I, however, had a great time.  

I've seen Wicked once before in SA and loved it.  The stage was much smaller this time and we sat closer which I actually found somewhat distracting.   You could tell when someone in the chorus broke character or when spittle was flying.  

Theater going here feels more casual, people were dressed down.  There were coin operated binoculars in some of the seats. We bought a bucket of cotton candy (floss) and the wine was in sealed, pre-measured plastic wine cups.  At intermission, everyone ran for ice cream.   It was a great night out, but Matt gets to pick the next two that we attend.

On Thursday, Matt had interviews and I spent the day exploring on my own.  (More details of that in a future blog).  We then met up at Harrod's for a look around the food court - endless!  We had dinner at Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden.  I loved the atmosphere and the bread was Ah-Ma-Zing!!!  Dinner was okay.   I think we will visit again, but just for wine, starters and dessert.   

After two jam-packed days we caught the train back to our temporary home in Folkestone.   Still waiting for the magic phone call to see where we will be settling.  Hoping that it comes SOON!!  

xoxo
Selena