So, I'm at the Queen's Club, a swanky tennis club in London, for a Western Alumni reception, and who should be there but Wills and Kate! (Well, not there there, as in the reception, but there as in at the Queen's Club, having dinner!)
London is très cool.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A Remedy for Wrongsiditis
You know those days when you get up on the wrong side of bed?
You're out of orange juice (Tropicana with extra juicy bits, please!), you poke yourself in the eye with the mascara wand, you didn't get the job, the zipper on your purse breaks, you discover (while running late, of course) that you are later than imagined because your watch isn't ticking, and there's a hole in your glove?
To top it all off, your bank card won't work and you've forgotten your cell phone at home (at least it's charging... or is it?).
With all semblance of your cool lost, you have two options: mope and continue in the downward spiral of wrongsiditis until you effectively trip on the escalator or step in dog poop, or try to find some kind of peace.
I kept my foot out of the crap thanks to a fabulous cappuccino, the best I've had in London to date. Thank you, Cafe El Buen Gusto (Frith Street, Leicester Square, for those of you who are in London). I walked by it on my way to another cafe (guidebook recommended) only to find that it was closed for renovations. I only lamented for a split second before walking back to El Buen Gusto. And it was a very buen gusto.
A small, dark cafe with small marble tables and a glass counter filled with fresh pastries and sandwiches, El Buen Gusto was just the oasis I needed this afternoon. I left my problems at the door and ordered a cappuccino from a friendly understanding barrista. "Go sit, SIT!", she commanded. "I bring you your cappuccino, carina". She smiled, and I smiled, and my wrongsiditis began to subside.
To the soothing sounds of jazz, a date (second or third, I'd say), and a milk frother, I got started on some cards I had been meaning to write. Shortly, a frothy cup of goodness arrived at my table, and after the first sip my wrongsiditis was cured.
I finished my cards and my cappuccino within moments of each other and was refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Buen Gusto helped me keep my shoes clean - how about you? What are your cures for a difficult day?
You're out of orange juice (Tropicana with extra juicy bits, please!), you poke yourself in the eye with the mascara wand, you didn't get the job, the zipper on your purse breaks, you discover (while running late, of course) that you are later than imagined because your watch isn't ticking, and there's a hole in your glove?
To top it all off, your bank card won't work and you've forgotten your cell phone at home (at least it's charging... or is it?).
With all semblance of your cool lost, you have two options: mope and continue in the downward spiral of wrongsiditis until you effectively trip on the escalator or step in dog poop, or try to find some kind of peace.
I kept my foot out of the crap thanks to a fabulous cappuccino, the best I've had in London to date. Thank you, Cafe El Buen Gusto (Frith Street, Leicester Square, for those of you who are in London). I walked by it on my way to another cafe (guidebook recommended) only to find that it was closed for renovations. I only lamented for a split second before walking back to El Buen Gusto. And it was a very buen gusto.
A small, dark cafe with small marble tables and a glass counter filled with fresh pastries and sandwiches, El Buen Gusto was just the oasis I needed this afternoon. I left my problems at the door and ordered a cappuccino from a friendly understanding barrista. "Go sit, SIT!", she commanded. "I bring you your cappuccino, carina". She smiled, and I smiled, and my wrongsiditis began to subside.
To the soothing sounds of jazz, a date (second or third, I'd say), and a milk frother, I got started on some cards I had been meaning to write. Shortly, a frothy cup of goodness arrived at my table, and after the first sip my wrongsiditis was cured.
I finished my cards and my cappuccino within moments of each other and was refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Buen Gusto helped me keep my shoes clean - how about you? What are your cures for a difficult day?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Another one bites the dust...
Another weekend, that is!
We kicked things off with a late Friday lunch/ early dinner at Yauatcha, a pretty hip Chinese restaurant. To put things in perspective, we made reservations two weeks ago... Anyway, we ordered a Taste of Yauatcha (the most economical way to eat there - 28.88 for two people), and it was tasty!
We started with three baked dumplings (one looked like a tiny pumpkin, so of course I had Tall Guy pose for a picture). Then came a basket of steamed dumplings (the scallop one was AMAZING). Next, a basket of steamed rolls (the least yummy, but still good, dish we sampled). To finish off, a fabulous roll, soft on the outside, lined with crispy bean paste but gooey in the middle. Yum! My favourite! And of course tea, wonderfully aromatic jasmine tea.
On Saturday we headed over to the Imperial War Museum. That place is huge! We spent more than two hours wandering through WWI and WWII exhibits, including a fascinating and very well thought out children's area, The Children's War, and a neat In the Trenches experience where guests walk through a "trench" (it's sensory, including smell...). Alas, I got museum legs and Tall Guy got museum back, so we decided to call it a day and left the Holocaust floor for another visit.
In the evening, we went back to SoHo to take a spin through Stanford's (where we ended up buying three books. Our flat is turning into a small tourist information office), and we ended up going to the cinema. I reluctantly saw 127 Hours, but I'm glad I did! I kept Tall Guy's shoes vomit-free by keeping my eyes closed for the arm-cutting scenes, and actually enjoyed the rest of the movie. Most of the time, it's one actor, which is different to watch. Despite the arm, it's a very hope-filled, and quite artistic, film. Go see it. Your cue to close your eyes is the dream about the future son...
Now it's Sunday evening, and after a day at the Tower of London and Gap shopping, I'm exhausted! We bought a historical buildings membership, so now we have unlimited visits to the Tower and four other sites! Even for tourists, if you're planning on going to several places only once, it's worth becoming a member. You even get a discount at their shops and cafes. But, back to the Tower: we were surprised and pleased that it wasn't very busy today. No line up for the crown jewels (although that did mean we missed the coronation footage that is played inside to help pass the time spent waiting). No pictures, either. That's ok, we bought a book.
After the Tower, I introduced Tall Guy to the Gap. I think I am creating a monster - first Mexx, now the Gap. What store will I hook Tall Guy on next?? Anyway, we found him two really great pairs of jeans, and I'm happy to report to all of you shopaholics who are planning to visit that the Gap is cheaper here.
Now I think it's time to head to the gym. They're open just long enough for a quick swim and a trip to the sauna, and I can't think of a better end to the weekend or start to the week ahead than that!
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| Note the pumpkin dumpling on the left |
We started with three baked dumplings (one looked like a tiny pumpkin, so of course I had Tall Guy pose for a picture). Then came a basket of steamed dumplings (the scallop one was AMAZING). Next, a basket of steamed rolls (the least yummy, but still good, dish we sampled). To finish off, a fabulous roll, soft on the outside, lined with crispy bean paste but gooey in the middle. Yum! My favourite! And of course tea, wonderfully aromatic jasmine tea.
On Saturday we headed over to the Imperial War Museum. That place is huge! We spent more than two hours wandering through WWI and WWII exhibits, including a fascinating and very well thought out children's area, The Children's War, and a neat In the Trenches experience where guests walk through a "trench" (it's sensory, including smell...). Alas, I got museum legs and Tall Guy got museum back, so we decided to call it a day and left the Holocaust floor for another visit.
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| Gas Masks for Children! |
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| Good luck convincing people of this today... |
Now it's Sunday evening, and after a day at the Tower of London and Gap shopping, I'm exhausted! We bought a historical buildings membership, so now we have unlimited visits to the Tower and four other sites! Even for tourists, if you're planning on going to several places only once, it's worth becoming a member. You even get a discount at their shops and cafes. But, back to the Tower: we were surprised and pleased that it wasn't very busy today. No line up for the crown jewels (although that did mean we missed the coronation footage that is played inside to help pass the time spent waiting). No pictures, either. That's ok, we bought a book.
After the Tower, I introduced Tall Guy to the Gap. I think I am creating a monster - first Mexx, now the Gap. What store will I hook Tall Guy on next?? Anyway, we found him two really great pairs of jeans, and I'm happy to report to all of you shopaholics who are planning to visit that the Gap is cheaper here.
Now I think it's time to head to the gym. They're open just long enough for a quick swim and a trip to the sauna, and I can't think of a better end to the weekend or start to the week ahead than that!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Week in Review
Another week is coming to an end. I'm off to Spain for a few days of skiing in Baqueira followed by a few days of catching up with friends in Madrid.
Last weekend, we toured around London on the motorcycle. We saw a protest against the Egyptian government in Trafalgar Square, crowds of tourists snapping pics of Buckingham Palace (the Queen wasn't home), and a long line of shoppers outside of a Hollister store (don't people have better things to do than line up to get in that place? It's not that good...).
We DID find a store we would have happily queued for hours for: Stanford's. It's a million vacation possibilities in one place, a travel book store filled with guides, destination fiction, memoirs, cook books, maps (oh, the maps!), notebooks, travel gadgets and all other things travel. There is even a little cafe where patrons can share tall tales of past trips and ideas for future ones. Originally, we had planned to browse around Covent Garden, but we ended up spending the entire morning at the bookshop! And we'll be going back soon.
For Valentine's (thanks for the beautiful roses, Tall Guy!), we headed out to Earlsfield to try out a Korean restaurant, Cah-Chi. It was a long haul, even with the motorbike, but it was worth every freezing minute. Our Canada-loving Korean waiter explained the menu and helped us make some great dinner choices. My favourite was the bul-go-gi (thin slices of marinated sirloin barbecued right at the table, then wrapped up in lettuce with spring onions and pickled radish). Or maybe it was the yuk-hoi dol-sot bab (rice and veggies, raw beef and a raw egg yolk served in a sizzling hot stone bowl; you stir everything around and the beef and egg cook right there). Or maybe it was... you get the picture - it was all really GOOD!
This week I went to two yoga classes (I'm getting better!) and a flamenco class. The flamenco class is very "London". Here's why: the instructor is Brazilian and my classmates are Polish, Indian, Mexican, Irish and Bulgarian. Plus me, the Canadian. Plus ONE English woman. It's great. One weird thing is that I'm dancing "in English". It will take some getting used to... It seems that we will have performance opportunities, as a group or individually, this spring. Hooray!
Yesterday, Tall Guy and I had a lunchtime rendez-vous, and the sun came out while we were walking over London Bridge. What a great view of the city!
Later on, I met up with a high school friend (Go Saints!) for an after work snack of beer and chips. We met at a pub called The Ship Tavern. It was very ship-like. Lots of dark wood, lantern lights, ropes, barrel-tables. It was a good place to sit down, have a good chat and people-watch. Another Canadian (actually, from the other London) told me one of her London must-dos is to have Sunday dinner at a pub. We're away this weekend, but watch for photos of beef and Yorkshire puddings in the weeks to come.
Well folks, I'm off for a spin through the Natural History Museum, and maybe a steam in the sauna at the gym before I have to make my way to the airport. Keep it tall.
Last weekend, we toured around London on the motorcycle. We saw a protest against the Egyptian government in Trafalgar Square, crowds of tourists snapping pics of Buckingham Palace (the Queen wasn't home), and a long line of shoppers outside of a Hollister store (don't people have better things to do than line up to get in that place? It's not that good...).
We DID find a store we would have happily queued for hours for: Stanford's. It's a million vacation possibilities in one place, a travel book store filled with guides, destination fiction, memoirs, cook books, maps (oh, the maps!), notebooks, travel gadgets and all other things travel. There is even a little cafe where patrons can share tall tales of past trips and ideas for future ones. Originally, we had planned to browse around Covent Garden, but we ended up spending the entire morning at the bookshop! And we'll be going back soon.
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| A thing of beauty... |
This week I went to two yoga classes (I'm getting better!) and a flamenco class. The flamenco class is very "London". Here's why: the instructor is Brazilian and my classmates are Polish, Indian, Mexican, Irish and Bulgarian. Plus me, the Canadian. Plus ONE English woman. It's great. One weird thing is that I'm dancing "in English". It will take some getting used to... It seems that we will have performance opportunities, as a group or individually, this spring. Hooray!
Yesterday, Tall Guy and I had a lunchtime rendez-vous, and the sun came out while we were walking over London Bridge. What a great view of the city!
 |
| Looking toward Tower Bridge from London Bridge |
Well folks, I'm off for a spin through the Natural History Museum, and maybe a steam in the sauna at the gym before I have to make my way to the airport. Keep it tall.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tut, tut, it looks like rain!
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| Outside the V&A |
After all, I am in London, which basically means I'm likely be thrilled independently of the weather. But I have to say, I have been looking forward to a really rainy day (it rains a lot less than I thought it would). Rainy days are practically synonymous with museum days, and I have heaps of museums -and shops -to explore. After a hearty breakfast and an extra cup of coffee, I donned my cheery red trench and headed out for a day inside.
My first stop was Harrod's. I was looking for a bathing suit and some fleece welly socks. They had neither. Well, that's not quite true. There were a few models, but sales associates in both areas told me it would be best to look online - more selection and better prices. Other than food (glorious food) and Harrod's souvenirs, there isn't really a lot there to buy. It seems that this giant department store is a kind of museum: people go to drool over luxury goods and possibly sample some fabulous food, and to take pictures of the Egyptian escalator hall, but they shop at Amazon. Yes, Internet shopping is alive and well in London.
I decided to skip shopping in favour of visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum. Again. I was there just two days ago for a quick peak, but this place is so huge, you could easily spend two full days looking around. Today was much busier than Tuesday (Tuesday was sunny, and while the steps outside the museum were packed, the inside was pretty quiet). There were crowds of umbrella-wielding visitors hanging out in the lobby, jammed into the cafe and dutifully following tour guides. There were also artists sketching scenes and objects and copying texts. Neat.
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| The courtyard in the rain |
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| Lots of touch stations |
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| A neat Japanese incense burner |
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| The Frog Princess |
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| A huge carpet |
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| A very ornate sink |
Have you been to the V&A? Did I miss something fabulous?
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