Indian Row

My morning has started very late for it is noon and I haven't even gotten dressed.  Jason is at Stone Ridge (one of the wonders of the world) and I hope to make it back to the British Museum.  My original plan was to wake up early, make it to the Zoo but I think I have taken too much time and fear I would only get a couple of hours out of the London Zoo.  I find that attractions such as that require payment and a plan to stay all or most of the day.  I believe I can be ready and up and out of here within 20 min.  I want to make this day my souvenir day and work on organizing any last minute shopping that might need to be completed.  I am sending a few post cards today just to ensure arrival before I leave the UK.

End of Day~

Despite the fact that my day started off slow, I was able to make it a productive one.  When I left home I went on to check how to take trains so that I could visit Hampton Court later this week.  It seems pretty easy since it involves the Tube most of the way.  After that I went underground to head to the BM with the thought process of  avoiding walking the entire way this time.  Its funny because after 2 subways it still seemed like I had to walk a long distance.  I am thinking that I brought that on myself since the Museum was right next to me and I went the exact opposite direction so when I found it and discovered I walked right by it I was a little perturbed with myself.  The Museum itself was a very nice experience same as before with the same intention- to learn. This time I focused on the Roman era, currency history, clock history, and about Turkey.

Once I was finished I noticed it was 5pm and I was suppose to be back at the dorm before 5:30pm to change my reservations at the dorm.  I didn't make it, on time which means it turned out to be a waste to even come home.  Once I was home I started downloading a movie and just waited around to see if Jason wanted to go to dinner.  He was really tired from his travels so I dined alone.  I never take this as a bad thing because when I am alone this means I get to eat what I want and that is exactly what I did.  Down the street from my place there is what I call Indian row.(hopefully that's not offending anyone)  Many Indian stores, eateries, all ran by Indian people.  I decided to be adventurous and walk into each and every restaurant and look at the menu, ask a lot of questions and perhaps learn something about the culture.  I ended up meeting a man who was young (maybe 25 years old) who said he was running the sweet store because the owner just ran off.  I thought that was rather open to just say, so I knew this was my guy to have a conversation with.  I ordered several treats from this Royal Sweets place along with ginger tea just to give it a try.  I tried special royal,  deserts, like royal balushahel, jalebi and gigar sweet which is like a carrot cake (but nothing like a carrot cake).  As I sat and we discussed America and India he helped me pick out dinner from their Indian restaurant next door.  This was a really nice place.  I spent 18 pounds which is like 30 dollars and I didn't get a drink.  I ordered coconut fish basmati rice and crab in butter sauce.  It was completely the opposite of what I imagined however it was good.  The gentleman helped me to appreciate the difference between Indian foods (of which I mistakenly took it for Mediterranean food).  I learned Indian foods can be spicy and they usually have a meat and sauce and maybe rice or salad.  Ultimately it was a pleasant experience and I learned a little more about a culture and a food that I probably would have never tried back home.