Some shopping and other trials

I have been keeping busy these past few days, hence the reason for my late post. On Wednesday, I met up with a friend from my school back in Florida. He is a local "Londoner" and agreed to show me some cool places in Central London. I met up with him in Niketown near the Oxford Circus Station where we then proceeded to go down Regent Street. Low and behold, more Starbucks' and McDonalds' down every block--it was really quite disappointing. As we continued walking he told me that down the side streets you can usually find some interesting places to eat. For instance, we found the Absolut Ice Bar, which is a restaurant/bar encased in Ice! We didn't get a chance to make it in, it would have been rather pricey anyway, but it was intersting to see. I had read about it earlier in one of the London books I got before I left for my trip, so it was fun to kinda stumble upon it. We also saw some people setting up for a movie premier--7 pounds--I believe. Chari, my friend, told me to dress as a reporter and I could sneak in! In this area, he pointed out a couple of bars and places to eat that had good Fish and Chips (which I have yet to actually have). We finished with regent street and headed up to Oxford Street and Bond Street, where all the shopping takes place. I needed to pick up a new coat and asked where I could get the best deal--Primark is apparantly the unanimous choice. I walk a ways down Oxford Street to Primark and I get a Long Jacket--9 quid--a sweater--6 quid--and 2 scarves for 1 quid each! It was quite a deal. Also finally picked up some shaving cream--Nivea for Men (which Chari thought was rather strange)--and a diffuser (only 9 quid) which is a godsend.

















Thursday was equally great as well, but for different reasons. The only thing I had to do was get my schedule changed from a very difficult schedule to a very easy one--they want you to take easy courses so that you enjoy the "London Experience". So, I make it down to the Regent Street Campus right off of Oxford Circus and meet with a new friend, Julia, to work out our schedules. It was quite ironic that Clifton, me, and Julia were put in the same Scavenger hunt group as Clif and I go to the same school and Julia is from Florida--she goes to University of Miami, but it really turned out to be good. Anyway, Julia and I met for lunch and went to some random cafe' near one of the other campuses--Wells Street. I think it was called Mortimer Cafe, but it served the absolute best cafe Mocha! This is THE reason I came to London--to get coffee better than Starbucks, hehehehe. Honestly, I was very happy and impressed, so this was a good start to my day. After that Jules helped me to find a belt at Topshop--which is a crazy store--they pull fashions right out of the runway and put them on the shelves. So this means skirts with wire and shirts with holes in the most inconvenient spots. And the apparent in thing to do over here is wear shiny lamme' tights--which is one thing I don't think I will conform to.

Later that evening I met up with a girl I knew in Middle school and haven't seen since. She is over here for school studying the same sorts of things I am. I had a long tube ride from Hampstead to East London at night--yes at night, I was very cautious and alert and nothing happened--to meet up for some Indian food. It was so great, I get off the tube in a station that looks much less well endowed than my own, and Kaley comes running to me with a big hug. She is only like 5'0 but she has so much energy and is so full of spunk! We went to a street referred to by locals as "Brick Lane" which is a street that primarly serves Indian Cuisine. The "fun" thing about this street is that representatives from the restaurants wait outside and try to "coax" you in with deals. Kaley said the first place to offer us free drinks would win us over. She was also telling me that this one place has a polish man outside trying to get you into an Indian Restaurant...quite the irony there. Anyway...Kaley pointed out a good place to eat, and they offered us free drinks! Lucky us, so we are whisked away into the restaurant and sit down. Kaley orders Cobra beer, which is actually quite nice and some hordourves come out--rice chips and relish. I didn't really like 2 of the four relishes, it had WAY to much cilantro in it, but there was a sweet relish with cumin in it that was really quite good. I ended up ordering lamb Rogan Josh--tomato lamb dish over rice and Kaley gets a curried lamb type dish that was quite good as well. Sorry Dad, still no reservations about Indian food outside of the cilanto. But then again, I was told that this is not "truly" Indian. After dinner, Kaley invites me in for some "tea"--which was quite cute and almost predictable--she has taken to British culture quite well, I think---and I met some of her roommates. All-in-all the night ended quite well.

Well, until tomorrow...