We have every-day adventures learning about our little town of Sydenham. It’s a multi-ethnic area in SouthEast London, part of the boroughs of Lewisham/Bromlely. Part of the fun is learning to understand people. Of course, they do speak English here, but our problem is -- we speak American. As well, the English speakers range from the typical accents you hear on BBC-America (the café owner and the laundryette lady who call me luv and Bill “ducks” or “darlin”), to the butcher who is Scottish, to the very proper (and very rapid) English spoken by our landlady to the English spoken with Pakistani, Indian, Afghanistan, and any number of African accents. Everyone seems to know we are “American” even before we open our mouths and I haven’t figured out quite why that is. Many of the people we meet are very interested – and knowledgeable – about American politics and ask us what we think of current events. This is fun, and different for us, because in our RV lifestyle back in the states, people pretty much go out of their way *not* to talk politics to casual acquaintances – too much of a minefield, I expect.
May 2007
May 29, 2007
Bill -- London Notes 1
We have been in London for almost a month now. Much of the time has been spent figuring out how to navigate the city. We have rented (let) a studio flat, and many trips to the markets and “pound” stores have been required to set up housekeeping. It is kind of strange to be buying things with the knowledge that they will be abandoned the first of August. You can’t function here, using public transportation, without a shopping trolley. We look just like you would imagine, two little old people trudging up the sidewalk and onto the train or bus with our cart! Great fun!!
The Tower Bridge photo is the bridge that MacCullough thought he was buying when he bought London Bridge and moved it to Lake Havasu AZ. (At least that’s the story told here.) We took a tour on the Thames, and the long time boatman Captain told us that the bridge is considered a vessel and requires a Captain, First Mate and Engineer to raise and lower. (I think the watermen have a great union)
(this is a thumbnail. click on photo for full shot)
The buses run every 10-12 minutes all day and on the half hour at night. Only time they are really packed with people is during commute hours. It’s great to sit in the very front of the top deck above the driver and watch the street light come within an inch of your side window. (Honest) Since the trees have fully leafed out, the neighborhood buses manage to thump a branch or two on the roof. I noticed yesterday that some of the drivers are starting to recognize us, and just wave when we start to show our passes.
We saw Monte Python’s SpamAlot at a great theatre (see, I’m becoming a Londoner with my spelling) The performance was great, “laughedAlot”. The theatre has been restored recently and is very nice. Has two or three bars and a seat vendor for intermission.