Scotland the Brave
I've been back for two days now with nary a mention of my anarchy in the U.K.! Actually, there was no need for anarchy because I love it there. The real anarchic mentality comes from being back in the office when I could be drinking whiskey in a castle. So, to cheer me up, without further ado...
Top Reasons why I love the U.K. in general (and Scotland in particular):
1. At breakfast, you're not forced to choose between bacon and sausage -- you automatically get both. And dammit, that's the way it should be. Our wonderful B&B in Edinburgh even threw in some haggis on the side, which makes for an astounding four-meat breakfast if you count the eggs.
2. REAL BEER. Not Budweiser -- not Coors -- not Miller -- REAL BEER.
3. Despite the penchant for greasy breakfast meats, organic foods are widely available in grocery stores and people seem much more concerned with where their food is coming from. (Well, maybe not compared to some New Yorkers, but certainly compared to people in Ohio, where I'm originally from). I had no idea there was such a thing as "sea salt" until I first visited a Sainsbury's four years ago.
4. Posh and Becks!
5. History. As an American, seeing great stone edifices that have survived for hundreds and hundreds of years completely blows my mind, not to mention being able to walk through rooms where people like Mary Queen of Scots lived, plotted and died. Nothing in the states is that old -- and if it was, it would have been torn down by now.
6. The candy is insane. I'm not much of a sweet tooth, but I can't help being fascinated by the outlandish and quirky array of British candy bars -- Aero, Lion Bars, all kinds of Cadbury -- and the chocolate is rich and creamy, not bland Hershey's swill. It should come as no surprise that this is the nation that spawned Willy Wonka and his magical factory. Plus it's the home of toffee and shortbread, my two all-time favorite sweets (yes, I'm a weirdo). Let's not even get started on McVitie's Caramel Digestives, biscuit of the gods!
7. Topshop. Their flagship store in London's Oxford Circus might be my mothership.
8. David Byrne. David Byrne in a kilt!
9. All museums are free, all of the time. You end up going more often -- at least, I did -- because there's less pressure to set aside an entire day to get the most for your $20 MoMA ticket. If you've got time to kill, you can pop in for 15 minutes, see an exhibit or two, and be on your way.
10. They think Americans are kind of insane. And they're right, of course. But you can tell they secretly love us for it -- without us, the hundreds of comics at the Fringe would have far less fodder for their acts.
And one thing New York has over Edinburgh:
1. Where have all the doggies gone? We couldn't help but notice while strolling the streets of Edinburgh that it was nearly puppyless. How sad! Maybe the dogs left town for the festival season, or maybe they're just inside to avoid getting trampled by crowds of tourists. Or maybe they don't feel the need to strut around in public, showing off their Louis Vuitton accessories like New York dogs. But either way, city walks just aren't the same if you can't indulge your doggie envy by fussing over other people's pets.
Top Reasons why I love the U.K. in general (and Scotland in particular):
1. At breakfast, you're not forced to choose between bacon and sausage -- you automatically get both. And dammit, that's the way it should be. Our wonderful B&B in Edinburgh even threw in some haggis on the side, which makes for an astounding four-meat breakfast if you count the eggs.
2. REAL BEER. Not Budweiser -- not Coors -- not Miller -- REAL BEER.
3. Despite the penchant for greasy breakfast meats, organic foods are widely available in grocery stores and people seem much more concerned with where their food is coming from. (Well, maybe not compared to some New Yorkers, but certainly compared to people in Ohio, where I'm originally from). I had no idea there was such a thing as "sea salt" until I first visited a Sainsbury's four years ago.
4. Posh and Becks!
5. History. As an American, seeing great stone edifices that have survived for hundreds and hundreds of years completely blows my mind, not to mention being able to walk through rooms where people like Mary Queen of Scots lived, plotted and died. Nothing in the states is that old -- and if it was, it would have been torn down by now.
6. The candy is insane. I'm not much of a sweet tooth, but I can't help being fascinated by the outlandish and quirky array of British candy bars -- Aero, Lion Bars, all kinds of Cadbury -- and the chocolate is rich and creamy, not bland Hershey's swill. It should come as no surprise that this is the nation that spawned Willy Wonka and his magical factory. Plus it's the home of toffee and shortbread, my two all-time favorite sweets (yes, I'm a weirdo). Let's not even get started on McVitie's Caramel Digestives, biscuit of the gods!
7. Topshop. Their flagship store in London's Oxford Circus might be my mothership.
8. David Byrne. David Byrne in a kilt!
9. All museums are free, all of the time. You end up going more often -- at least, I did -- because there's less pressure to set aside an entire day to get the most for your $20 MoMA ticket. If you've got time to kill, you can pop in for 15 minutes, see an exhibit or two, and be on your way.
10. They think Americans are kind of insane. And they're right, of course. But you can tell they secretly love us for it -- without us, the hundreds of comics at the Fringe would have far less fodder for their acts.
And one thing New York has over Edinburgh:
1. Where have all the doggies gone? We couldn't help but notice while strolling the streets of Edinburgh that it was nearly puppyless. How sad! Maybe the dogs left town for the festival season, or maybe they're just inside to avoid getting trampled by crowds of tourists. Or maybe they don't feel the need to strut around in public, showing off their Louis Vuitton accessories like New York dogs. But either way, city walks just aren't the same if you can't indulge your doggie envy by fussing over other people's pets.
posted by MTL at 5:43 PM
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