London Graffiti

Blansky, Essex Road

Oh yes, they do have their fair share of the typical stuff, but London has a breed of graffiti they can call their own.  I am no historian, but Banksy has a distinctive stenciling technique that has taken on.

Banksy is an artist in the city that pretty much stays underground and I believe that has made the appearance of one of his projects even more exciting to the masses.  When wondering the city, I take delight when I encounter such a piece.

The first one I recall was on my very first day in London, on Cross Street very near my current flat.  It was a very cute pug dog that drew my attention because of how good it was and I was shocked when I went by again and it was painted over.  Almost felt like it was an illusion all along (... the dog that drew me to Islington ... buahhh).  After that I began seeing random pieces that all had a very similar style, usually off on their own, and certainly considered beauty, not destruction.

Cross St.

Primrose Hill

There is a more famous piece on Essex Road, also just a couple blocks from my flat (the one with the kids and flag above).  The "are you looking at me?" man is now on Cross Street, but doesn't feel to me like the same artist.  When wondering Primrose Hill I saw the one with the guy with his dog (very similar style to the first one I saw).

I can't say for sure that these are all Banksy, and even more curious is while wondering through Paris I saw this one with the cat that caught my eye as well.  While looking at the wiki link (above) for Blanksy it says that he styles himself after Blek le Rat, a Parisian graffiti artist.  Just may be!!

"Niether God, nor master, nor tasty fried food treat"

 

Foods of America

So, if one were to travel to London from a foreign land, visit one of the well know major department stores and happen to see the "Foods of America" section this is what they would find.  You know, kind of like the "International" section of Dominick's where you find black beans, rice, and bamboo shoots.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions, as I am sure they will be varied.  Feel free to use the comment section.

P.S. check out the price on those Lucky Charms!  That's $12 bucks!

Kitzbuhel, Austria

Got a little getaway this weekend - two nights in the Alps ski town Kitzbuhel.  Kitz is known amongst those in the know (not me) as an upscale ski resort area, with a quaint downtown, very daring slopes, and expensive hotels.  Some of you may recall the name from past Olympics, tucked in between the rugged mountains in the area of Tirol.

A friend of mine had a work gathering there this week and the option to stay the weekend, so we wisely took advantage of it.  "See the Alps" is now checked off my list.  I was pretty blown away by the first sight of the mountains outside the Innsbruck airport, and the hour train was a beautiful, peaceful ride..

I didn't ski - I don't have the gear and actually like the bones in my legs to be straight, so I went just for the site-seeing.  Friday night we went out for dinner and cocktails in town, Saturday covered the sites, and then made the return journey Sunday.  Our B&B was darling, run by a very traditional Austrian couple.  Quality DNA.  They served us a nice breakfast each morning made up of cheese, cold cuts, bread, yogurt, and coffee.  The view from our room was stunning, overlooking the mountainside, and on day one two hot air balloons floated by while lying in bed.  

After breakfast we went for a walk into town by way of a winter trail through the forest and around a lake.  The air was so fresh and the sky so blue.  We passed over a small river running over multi-colored stones, looked so crystal clear I wanted to drink it!  Though a bit chilly, it was so still out that in the sun you felt warm.  The weather was perfect.

After shopping in town a bit, we both mustered up the courage to ride up one o f the gondolas to the top of the mountain.  This was no small feat.  The pictures here do not even come close to doing justice to how high up this thing really went.  Scary!  And after the double espresso I had at Meinl Kaffee the heart was pounding!  We did survive and once at the top sat down for a little lunch with the panoramic views in the sun.  I ordered a traditional meat and cheese platter, complete with horseradish (that I mistakenly thought was cheese and put a big scoop in my mouth) and a shot of schnapps.  So that's how they keep warm!  Tasty.

Back at the bottom, we did a bit more wondering around town, took a rest, and then headed out for a traditional Austrian dinner.  Stroganof was the plate, served with spatzl (small dough things) on the side.  Tasty.  Shannon had pancake soup!

In the morning we took our time eating breakfast and then hit the road for the taxi/train/bus/plane/train/tube/bus ride home.  The view on the plane flying out of Innsbruck was amazing.  It is hard to comprehend that a scene like that is actually real.  It was a great trip.

Sunshine ... on my shoulder ... makes me happy ....

Dear Madrid, you are winning me over.  From your azul skies, to your stark white facades, your green parks, salty ham, smoky Riojas, all rolled in cheese and crusty bread ...  oh, and not a disappointing shopping spree yet.

To top it all off, the center of your Plaza Mayor offers a refuge from the elements, that even on a chilly February afternoon, was toasty enough to shed the layers and fulfill just a bit of the longing inside that yearns for sun on my shoulders.  With an amazing paella to boot.  Thank you ... oh, especially for having that rabbit fur vest I have been visiting at 60% off.  Love you!

Kitty is a Brit!

Though he officially landed in the U.K. January 8th, I wanted to make sure I had proper photos only after he had some time to get over the jet lag and get accustomed to his new home.  Things went just fine - at least the part I witnessed.

For those of you who haven't had the privilege of moving a pet to the U.K. there is a crazy amount of process you need to go through, starting 7-8 months in advance of the move.  

There is the microchipping, then the rabies shot, then the blood test to prove he had a rabies shot, which requires a certificate from the University of Kansas.  Then, all of this information must be gathered and entered into an official government form by a certified veterinarian, which then must be signed by the USDA in Des Plaines, IL.  Then, 6 months of waiting (for me, for him it was more like 6 months at Grandma's house getting all the goodies you want).

Finally, two weeks before departure you book a ticket with one of only two certified airlines allowed to transport pets into the U.K.  The cage needs to be precisely measured to pre-set multiplicative factors to your pet's dimensions, and he must be given a flea and tick treatment no more or less than 24 hours before flight time, again by a certified vet that must enter all this batch information into the now sacred form.

The day of the flight they need to arrive in the cargo area four hours prior to takeoff, where he is succumbed to some pretty intense screening.  All went well - we passed.  So, off he went, to what I am sure was some pretty scary circumstances, until about 14 hours later when I picked him up outside of Heathrow airport.

All in all, he really didn't seemed to rattled.  However, in the cab on the way home, he was struggling to keep his eyes open and his head up ... poor guy, he did so good!  Now, my little buddy is happy in his new home, that is so quiet and warm!  And, he has his Mom with him again - 14 years and still going strong.

Primrose Hill & Regents Canal

As I was finishing up my highly anticipated batch of blueberry buckwheat pancakes this AM, I realized while sitting at my kitchen table that the SUN was actually out.  We haven't seen that guy in quite a while.  So, I whipped on my boots - the opportunity to finally take the recommended Primrose Hill / Little Venice walk was upon me.

Just a short tube ride away to the Chalk Farm station you exit into a darling part of London called Primrose Hill.  The main street is full of cute shops, coffee and pastry, and a couple notable fresh food stores.  Pleasurable stroll.

As you come to the end of the road, you hit Primrose hill, which is a - well - hill that is just north of Regents Park.  You hike your way to the top and are rewarded with panaramic views of the city.  Go down the other side and you are right at Regents Park Zoo (next time) and the Regents Canal.  

This canal runs across the vast majority of the city (actually passes just south of my flat) and has some pretty parts, today included.  

There is a very cute cafe on top of one of the bridges, where I just had to stop off for a little pick me up from all my walking.  Awesome caprese and a little Proseco to celebrate it being Sunday and sunny.

Anyway, I should talk about all the canal boats that line the waterway in some areas, and the very bizarre fact that people live on them and they are covered in plants and all kinds of crazy stuff, but I am making this one brief.  You'll have to come see that for yourself!!

 

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Year of the Rabbit

I have been a bit moved by the Chinese New Year this year. It does just so happen to be the year of the rabbit - that would be my year.  Hay-ay!!  

In some sort of horoscope induced intoxification, I have been convinced that this is yet another sign - yes indeed, it is my year.  The stars have aligned.  It is my time.  The year of the rabbit.  {Leg kick / hand punch / time to buy a rabbit's foot !}

Though the year formally starts next week, I started with a trip last week to Chinatown in London, very near my office, and had a nice dinner with a colleague.  It is beautifully decorated with lanterns, fried ducks, etc.  Then, for lunch today I went for my first dim sum experience.  Also very good - love the pork sticky buns.

Conincidentally, my BF is also a rabbit.  Read into it what you will that us rabbits will be spending the majority of the next year apart  ;-|  Definitely not the highlight of the festivities.  Nonetheless, I am going to take advantage of all the spirits cheering me on!

To save you the Google:  1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999  

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise.

Well, well  -  think that may describe pretty well both me and my partner rabbit.

January

Despite January being off to a horrific start, with a blizzard convincing every expat they'd been duped about the London winters being mild, the rest of the month really has been quite amazing.

We had a week that was consistently up in the 50s, and the rest of the month has been quite mild.  OK, not so bad.  (I know, I know ... it has been a rough January in Chicago, so no griping here!)

What has been most surprising to me though is that the trees and bulbs are already starting to bloom.  The pansies I put in my bedroom window are still going strong - despite being under snow for a period.

The majority of my plants are still so green it almost seems impossible.  I mean, there is rain pretty much every day, but there is inversely as much sun.

I am wondering if they have some sort of super breed over here, and why we have yet to figure out how to get this done in the U.S.

I have heard people say that if you blink in London you just may miss summer, but the bright side is that it appears to be the same with winter.

I'll be planting the flowers in the garden out back in no time!!

Pub Quiz!!

A 2009 study puts the number of regular weekly pub quizzes in the U.K. at 22,445.  This is a serious national past time, and one I can get into.  Thursday night up the street from my flat, a great pub has a weekly Pub Quiz - my first one.  Basically you get together a team between 1-6 people, pay a pound a piece (or something close to that) and then are succumbed to the torture of knowing how little you actually know.

The quizmaster (see pic) shouts out two rounds of 20 questions (generally in some sort of thick accent which also requires expats to have to translate each question first), and then your team gets together, rolls their eyes left / right / up / down racking their brains to come up with any sort of realistic answer.  The quizmaster then gathers the papers, grades them, and announces the winner that will usually get a cash prize or bar voucher.

For example:

• Who was the Arch Bishop of Canterbury when the first woman was allowed to enter Parliament?
• What country first legalized euthanasia?
• What mammal is the only to live as a parasite?
• What city did Stevie Wonder run for Mayor?
• What do you call a crack in a glacier (pronounced "glaaah-see-yer") ?
• What year was Mohammad Ali born?

You get the idea ... no cell phones allowed for this ... and they mean it.  The quizmaster called someone a spazz twice after a dispute over the intended use of the iPhone after a question.

Whereas in the U.S. bars that have trivia usually have just Kara and I with a couple creepy dudes hanging around (much to my disappointment), in the U.K. pub quizzes are down right an educational experience that pack the pubs and simply just give everyone a somewhat justifiable reason to be in the pub AGAIN.  Lovin' it!

Oh, P.S.  We got last place.  Leaves plenty of room for improvement!!

Bikram

Well, I survived the first week back at work.  What a relief.  I was a bit stressed about the first day back.  Something about the first day of a new year - I put all of the things I want to conquer in a year in front of myself and it just is overwhelming.

When I was a kid, the first week of a new school year was always torture for me.  The teachers would always lay out the year's agenda with all the major projects you would do throughout the year, pass out humongous two ton text books you were going to have to read, and detail the 40 page term paper you will write, the twelve exams you need to get good scores on, etc.  I would be in tears after the first couple of days, trying to find a way to not have to go back, not knowing how myself "the perfectionist" would possibly get it all done.  In the end I always did spectacular.  The first week back at work kind of feels the same way for me now, but I know it will be a great year with many accomplishments.

So, I am in serious need of a stress outlet and have turned to Bikram yoga.  I was doing this "hot yoga" while in Chicago and it really is wonderful - stretches out your back and hips, detoxes, and gives you a good workout.  I found a place here in London that is really conveniently located between home and the office.  I did my first class Saturday AM.  That experience is honestly a post in itself, but let me summarize:  it was literally 100 degrees in a room with 80 people in it, a pole thin yogi (male) wearing nothing but these wee bitty black spandex shorts, an hour and a half of moving through THE 26 Bikram poses (my favorite is 13), and then a locker room experience unlike any other I have had.  In the end, I felt great afterwards, a little entertained, sore today, and will actually go back.  Bring on week two!

Detox

Just got back home today from a long three weeks in the Chi.  I could barely keep my eyes open today (though I forced it) and now of course as soon as evening hits (about Noon in Chicago) I am feeling wide awake!  A little energy to document some of the trip ...

It all started with me being the lucky one - stuck on the tarmac for five hours before take off (I am not being sarcastic, I was lucky ... the unprecedented blizzards in Britain and EU left thousands stranded, including many of my expat friends, and I got out minutes before the cancellations waved over the departure boards).  Just an other-worldly test on my endurance:  a move to London for the worst December in over a century.  On the bright side it is supposed to be in the 50s all week and the grass was still green when I got back.

So, straight from ORD to Buona Terra to eat the delicious meal I had been dreaming of the last 5 months, and even better company.  I am humbled by the amazing show out of my neighbors/friends/family ... I love them.

Spicy Creamy Tako Handroll, the good stuff!

I had mentioned in an earlier post that one of the major things I miss from the States is the food.  Not that it is bad in London (despite its reputation), it's just that some things you get used to are hard to replace.  So, I spent most of the trip resting, getting my cuddle time in, and eating up enough of my favorites to last the next 6 months.  Sai Cafe sushi twice, Lula breakfast three times, Urban Belly, Hopleaf, Toast, Lou Malnati pizza, countless BT, and don't forget the X-mas dinner by my Brother/Sister-in-law and the beautiful tin of X-mas cookies ala Mom (which we polished off before I left) ... exactly what I wanted, though I have made a cliche of myself and will be starting my New Year workout plan now!

Speaking of New Years, we took it relatively easy and hung out at the usual digs.  Good food, good wine, good friends ... what else do you need?  Oh, and the poppers were pretty fun too (note, Eddie's gun).  Thanks Eileen!!

I had some worry about what it would be like to go back to the States after moving away, and especially fearful about how I would react to leaving again when it was time to come back to London.  Would it be harder the second time?  I mean, when something like this happens the first time you just have to put your head down, slap the blinders on, set aside all of the good reasons not to leave and just ... get ... on ... the ... plane.  Going back for the first visit provides you a raw reminder of all the love you left behind - blinders off.  The way I see it now, I am just going to focus on the positive - how amazed I am at the love that is in my life and how fortunate I am to be healthy, wealthy, and wise ;-).

I am now fortified to attack 2011 and make this all worth while!   The motto is work hard and play harder in 2011!

Playing with the blog layout

Hey!  With all this time on my hands over the holiday break I have been playing with the blog-o-sphere a bit, attempting to learn more about designing the layout of my blog.  You will see some layout changes for a while until I figure out exactly what I like (and you like), and as I get better at designing my own header.

Also, I added a widget on the side that will allow you to enter your email address if you want to get notified when I add a new post to avoid having to check whenever you remember.  I had just a few of you set up for auto emails and if you go that route and want me to remove the auto send I have you on let me know.  I'll be back to blogging soon!

Stuff from the States

As I have read blogs from other expats, or had conversations with those I have met here, many have a list of items they are coveting from the States - items difficult to find here in London they plan to stock up on when they head back home.  These lists have included such items as:

Chocolate chips, pumpkin in a can, Velveeta cheese and/or American singles, Grape jelly, Kraft Mac & Cheese, deodorant (not all, just their kind), certain hair care products ...

Now that I am heading back to the States, I have been thinking about what things I want to make sure that I stock up on.  Interesting enough, I really can't think of anything.  I am sure this has something to do with the fact that I haven't eaten packaged store foods in many years and I really don't miss them ... which I guess is also the same reason why what I stock up on will be consumed while in the States and brought back with me in my belly!

What I am missing most are hugs from my BF and our Saturday night cooking, seeing my Mom and Bro, food and friends at BT, various other outstanding restaurants in the Chi (i.e. Lula, Urban Belly, Rootstock, Sai Cafe), the meca Whole Foods on North Ave., the convenience of Target ... things I can't put in my luggage and bring back.  So, I plan to get my fill the next couple of weeks ... I better start thinking about the work out plan for 2011!!

Dandoy Biscuits

I fell in love with this place in Brussels so much I am dedicating an entire blog to it.  For almost 200 years and six generations the Dandoy family has been making "biscuits" in the centre of Brussels, just off the Grand Place (most of you would call them cookies).

The originals, called speculaas, are a pretty simple gingerbread type recipe with brown sugar and spices and are formed using wooden molds.

It wasn't so much the recipe, as it was the presentation.  I was so taken aback by the wonderful antique carved molds they used to create these, some humongous, treats.

I wandered their original location with wide eyes, looking at all the wonderfully shaped cookies and the vintage molds.  Man, if only I could find one of those babies at an antique market (of course for sale by someone who has no idea what it is and is selling it for super cheap).

The vintage St. Nicks and Saints were amazing.  I want one.  Makes me realize all those designs I saw in the seventies in Country Living magazine and the like weren't all made up - actually based on historical designs.

As I write this I realize, I haven't even tasted one yet. I bought a box to bring back to Chicago on my visit, which will be hocked for other home made varieties at the annual cookie exchange ... I will sneak one for myself first, however.

Mussels in Brussels!

This past weekend a group of friends took the Eurostar down to Brussels to go to the Christmas market.  I of course was also looking forward to the beer, mussels, and frites.  While living in Chicago I fell in love with Belgian food, where both the Hopleaf and Rootstock do it quite well.  The beers are strong and you never run out of varieties to try.

Brussels is just a 2 hour ride from London and we went Friday after work, arriving around 10PM - enough time to drop our goods at the hotel, take a little stroll, and get on over to the Delirium bar.  For those who are less familiar, Delirium is a well known Belgian beer with a pink elephant emblem and is quite the dance provoker (I'll omit the details on my spill which left me with a horribly bruised thigh and the video).

After a couple of those we were all ready to tackle those famous frites (fries typically served with mayo).  In no time we wondered upon a shop on the street and ordered huge paper cones - mine with "tartar".  Whoa, they do like their mayo ... and that night I did too.




The main square in Brussels, Grand Place, is breath taking.  I am officially making it my favorite plaza in Europe to date.  The cathedral is impressive (less so than others), but the other surrounding architecture is out of this world.

Though touristy enough, the pubs and shops surrounding the square felt very authentic, offering up Belgian lace and tapestries, as well as chocolate and waffles.

I had never heard of little Manneken Pis, but he is quite the hero in this town.  A statue/fountain from the early 1600s of a little boy doing his business is certainly the most popular tourist site in town. Every prestigious chocolatier has molds of him and every not so prestigious grocer has some pretty flattering corkscrews of him.  Those in the know would know there is also a little sister statue across the Grand Place, which some peeps on the street were happy to point out to us.

The Christmas market offered up some good scenery, interesting goods, yummy smells, hot mulled wine, and one particularly good Christmas gift (shhhh).

Seems like there are so many other topics to cover, like the rainbow over the city the last afternoon, the coordinated Christmas light show broadcast repeatedly on the cathedral, the bizarre street of seafood restaurants with picture menus and plastic plants, the sparkle tree, the interesting hotel room, the fact that it is the comic capital of the world and the Smurfs were invented there ...  great trip.

I am also sharing the link to my friend Shannon's blog, as she also has some great pics.