"Dive right in the water's fine!" well, that's pretty much how I felt as I arrived in the bustle of London. Since I landed early morning and met up with Somil by 8:30 am, I just had to keep on trucking and get geared up for a fun New Years Eve later on. The city is truly a world capital and a refreshing melting pot of cultures and people, a far cry from the dirty looks that are regularly thrown at any who dare deviate from our glorious native tongue (particularly in the globalization eschewing South). True to stereotype, london is pale skin, queues and proper accents as far as the eye can see. As Borat would say... I liiiiiiiike !
Spent NYE Slovakian Style with Cushnie and his Diana at an amazing house party where the Slivo flowed like wine. (for those brave curious souls, Slivo is a pernicious alcoholic beverage distilled from plums that tastes like battery acid and gives one the ability to breath fire afterward similar to tequila....ouch!) It was our great honor to drink this noxious liquid with the gentleman that had carefully distilled this 105 proof slovakian delicacy. Needless to say (but i guess I'll say it anyway) great fun was had by all and sundry and new years was an amazing fete indeed!
My remaining time in London was spent exploring the various burroughs including Richmond, Covent Garden (with it's charming Neal's Yard), Twickenham, Kensington etc etc. We did the touristy bit, visiting Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. The robust pound sterling stalwartly bullied the meager dollar at every pub, restaurant, shop and underground....but we still managed to have fun.
Highlights included:
-walking by the river in Richmond witnessing Cush attempt to
hand-feed a goose and instead getting accosted by a flock of pigeons and having his hand furiously and repeatedly pecked
-sharing a fine bottle of vino in the basement of a wine bar, who knew the exposed rock, sloping ceiling, cave atmosphere and candlelight could be so cozy?
-spending 50$ on a fry up of a lunch post new years eve -- yup, that's right, 2 burgers, one order of chips (fries) and cokes can put the serious hurt on your wallet.
-sharing a fine bottle of vino in the basement of a wine bar, who knew the exposed rock, sloping ceiling, cave atmosphere and candlelight could be so cozy?
-spending 50$ on a fry up of a lunch post new years eve -- yup, that's right, 2 burgers, one order of chips (fries) and cokes can put the serious hurt on your wallet.
-attempting to communicate in garbled Russian to the Slovakian man that made the Slivo --disaster!
-witnessing true philosophy -- as my good friend "wisely" lectured "Tomatoes are the only vegetable, that's a fruit!"..... what a gem!
Not even the blustery cold could dampen our spirits or diminish our fun together, Cheers mates!
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