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| Machester Cathedral |
While our interlude in England has only been 2 and a half weeks, we realize that’s longer than most people take for an entire vacation. Yet, even with a couple of day trips to nearby Liverpool and Chester, it’s far short of what a visitor would have to experience to become an “expert” on a destination. Nevertheless, we thought we’d make a few observations on our time so far in England.
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| Chicken and Bacon Hot Pot |
English cuisine gets a really bad rap. We’ve had our share of the expected staples: fish and chips, bangers and mash. But we’ve also had roast and hot pots (what we call “pot pies” in the states), mushy peas, and tasty little pastries stuffed with meat. We think English cuisine stands shoulder-to-shoulder with anything, including Italian and French, on the continent. Cheddar cheese–an American favorite–is a native cheese of England. And then there’s the ale and cider: their masterpieces.
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| Fish and Chips |
British trains are as efficient as the continent’s. Perhaps it’s just our prior lack of time spent in the UK, but we mistakenly thought the train system in the Isles was not as good as on the continent. That myth is debunked with frequent connections and as much precision as the Swiss and Germans, not to mention reasonably modern and clean trains and inexpensive fares (though it’s always best to book online in advance).
The English are incredibly organized. From the means and procedures of gaining entry to the Old Trafford stadium where we saw the Manchester United play to having four garbage cans (a rubbish bin, a paper recycling bin, an aluminum and glass recycle bin, and a food compost bin), English society is tidily organized and things are run with precision (pronounced “pre-shish-ion”). Speaking of pronunciation…
Just because they speak English here doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll understand them. The differences between London, Manchester, Souser (a person from Liverpool), Irish, and Scottish accents are a bit more apparent to us, but sometimes they’re so thick it’s really, really hard to understand them. Particularly when someone first starts talking with you, a moment is required to acclimate and you still have to concentrate on what they’re saying. Which isn’t a bad way to have a conversation–with intense concentration–when you come to think of it.
The English sense of humor is deservedly legendary. Every conversation–once you’ve properly tuned in–will likely result in a smile at some point.
The English are a friendly and passionate people once you get to know them. They go about their business just like people in any other country, and unless you smile, nod, or strike up a conversation, you might think them no different than other people. But give that mate at the bar or sitting next to you at the match a “hello” and soon you’ll have a new best friend.
