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. 

Notting Hill

As usual I sleep in so late!  I woke up at 9:40am which has everything to do with going to bed at 2-3am.  Today is the day that I planned to go to the meeting on these crazy subways again.  Apparently this is very common for the Tube to close down an entire line (this weekend happened to be the one I needed the most) so I needed to find another way to the meeting and really wasn't sure how to do that.  I spent 45 min on the computer tracking, tracing, writing and scratching my route out.  Eventually I had a plan and went with it.  I had 3 options for meetings today 10am, 1pm, 4pm.  I literally left at 11:30am with the goal of making it to the Hall at 4pm but I made it by 1pm (whew). Such hard work but all worth it.  Londoner's sound so nice and pleasant and although the meeting was conducted the exact same as home, the brother say Love or Lovely after everyone commented.  I was thinking about my brothers in Phoenix (Staton, Watson, or Brown) saying that is simply lovely or thanks Love after someone commented and couldn't help but giggle. After the meeting people came right up to me and once they heard my accent they were giggling at me.  Accent I was thinking that is backwards.  Anyway I met several people and made service plans with the pioneers and elders so I finally feel set.  I know that going into the ministry with be an amazing part of my trip and I am sure to meet some great friends along the way.

On my way home I had a thought of visiting another site while I was out so I decided to visit Notting Hill.  I was surprised to find there really wasn't much to the place other than a street which is called Notting Hill Gate with shops and eateries.  The homes are very nice and there are a few parks that are exclusive to the area. While I was there I decided to eat at a Sushi place called ITSU.  It was trendy withl good food and the service wasn't half bad.  They serve the food on a conveyor belt and you grab it and eat . The food surprised me since it was so yummy and I got very full.  I ate duck rolls, and a few Vietnamese and California rolls. After I left Itsu,  I roamed the streets until I was over it and then went on home.

As I was on the tube on the way home I had this AHA moment where I realized I knew where I was going.  I realized I finally figured out the bus and Tube (underground transportation) and thought I am really learning my way around.  This excites me because for the first week I had to ask, and play mice games going back and forth asking questions, or not asking questions and getting lost.  I asked Jason what he does and he murmured on about he doesn't ask people, and goes with his instinct or gut until he finds the place.  I was thinking, that sounds much more time consuming than my system but he is a man and I believe it is fair to assume that most men don't ask for directions???

I got home about 5pm and jumped right on FB to see if Jason was home since that is our primary way we contact each other.  I am so grateful for FB because not only have I been able to contact Jason but its such a great way to stay connected to family back home.  I have even been able to put out a few fires all the way from London on FB.  Thanks FB owners!

Right away Jason came over and we hung out and had a few laughs as we debriefed each other on our day.  He had class and from the sounds of it, it was very boring.  He fell asleep and even his group members at family night said it was a killer.  (sorry Jason) I had this mental picture in my head of me at the Kingdom Hall socializing, singing and happy while he is stuck in a classroom bored to death.  (poor babe)  As I mentioned tonight was family night and Jason and I spent the evening with four lovely ladies that he goes to school with.  They made fajitas, and we all played spades.  (Good times) Jason's team won and mine lost but we gave them a run for their money. (not literally I don't bet) lol! 9pm we called it quits and now its almost midnight here and I am finishing up these blogs! 

I did manage to get skype uploaded and figured out as well and carried on a 3 way call with my friends.  As you can imagine we talked for hours.  Its almost 3am and I am still up typing away.