A Day in Covent Garden

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I'm starting to feel more comfortable in London now. It's amazing how adaptable humans are - after 2 days of orientation John and I are navigating around like locals. We no longer have stunned looks on our faces when someone mentions a street or locale.

I can't say that I immediately fell in love with London like I did NYC but it's definitely growing on me and I am starting to appreciate the old girl.

Met John's cousin Paul last night and he's super cool. Elizabeth is at the operat tonight so we're having dins with Paul and his boys - they're visiting from Finland for a few days.

1pm:

Currently, we're drinking Sleemans! Yes, Sleemans Honey Ale straight from Canada. How you ask? B/c we stumbled upon "The Maple Leaf", a pub that celebrates Britain's "friendship" with Canada. I've ordered poutine and John's having a quesidilla (Mexican, I know, but it's on every pub menu at home). Sitting here in a piece of our homeland is so nice (albeit it's freezing in here - they must think we live in igloos)!

We're having a great day discovering Covent Garden in detail. All's good in London! LOVE this area. The streets are quaint, cobblestoned mews lined with international stores as well as unique one-of-a-kind shops such as "The Specialty Tea Shoppe", "Octopus" (which had the coolest cheese graters - yes, I said cheese graters), "Pout" (I think they carry it at BeautyMark and Sephora) and my personal favourite "B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful" which sold hand creams etc.

6pm:

Now we're back at John's aunt's, sitting in the garden. Paul's sons, Jesper and Tristan, are playing "swingball" (dodgeball with a racket). They're 6 and 10 years and so cute with the Finnish/English accents. We're so compromised in North America when it comes to languages and its quite humbling when you see young'uns switching effortlessly between different tongues.

FYI - Hardhats are called "bumper hats" here. Same tongue, different language. Internationality (is that a word in any language?) is so fascinating and great!!

10pm:

Had a fantastic meal prepared by Paul. What an interesting cousin. He trained as a chef; wrote a novel he's trying to get published; worked under Jamie Oliver and managed a formula 1 driver. What an interesting evening! Sadly, he had a 1000sq ft apartment overlooking the Hudson in NYC last year b/c his company was training H&M (yes, the clothing store H&M!) re service etc. An opportunity lost but a connection made. Paul and John hit it off and the visit was great. Who knows, a trip to Finland may be in our future!!

AND NHL is back!!!! That is the BEST news ever! Go Linden!

Miss you all!!

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Comments

[GATA]

You made me want to go back to London again! I only got to see B Never in Carnaby Street.