Blogs from Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 812

I knew a journey to England would be on my travel list, I figured it was around #20 or so for my travel goals. Late in 2003, my friends gave me a call and told me there is a great travel special to England and asked if I would go. I told them to let me think about it and I'd get back with them. I called them back promptly and asked again how much it was. I told Victoria that I'd let them know in 24 hours. I read up on the special as the flight was well under $300 for round trip and I felt that was pretty good fare. I called Victoria the next day and said "let's book it". We decided that October would be the best time to go. I flew ... read more

It is admirable how after years of struggle, personal sacrifice and lots of arm chair strategy, the British Empire did succeed in becoming the strongest imperialist nation in the world. And when they did give up their claim over their ‘protectorates’ they left a mark in those countries forever - they left behind a judicial system, great infrastructure, tons of ideas for story -telling in years to come and they left behind - English. In no other nation, as in India has English succeeded to such an extent. Obviously it has - which is why half of the US is getting ‘Bangalored’ and Nat West goes out of its way to advertise ‘UK call centres’. But all Indians may well be living in a strange world of naiveté. For do we really know the language? Or ... read more

Retail therapy the Corporate Way It’s a nice sunny Saturday - believe me it is a blessing in this part of the world - and the husband is in a mood to pamper the wife with some retail therapy. This was most agreeable, to say the least! So in my new angora poncho (which sheds faster than snake skin) and a battered handbag, oyster cards in hand, the two off us trotted off in the English sunshine (which by noon was playing hide and seek). Now if you leave home by noon, there is no place you will reach before 1230 (if you are using the tube, which is going through huge engineering works). So by the time we hit the stores, we are both a bit peckish. Whilst I settle for a nice fresh orange ... read more

Another week and weekend gone. Work was good, one of the guys Riki was leaving Friday, so there were 2 or three boozy lunches to be had over the week. Friday was the worst, 2 pints at 1pm, back to the office at 3pm, drinks at the office at 5:30pm, then straight down the pub again! Home by 1am tho, so not too bad. Eds leaving this Friday, (I must smell or something), so another week of activities hopefully. Saturday went to The Imperial War Museum with Niki, Alistair and Dave. We were a little at odds tho, they finished the whole place in 3.5 hours and I spent 4 hours till close only seeing 1/4 of the bottom floor! Was an amazing place, learnt a lot of history and Ill be going back for more ... read more

This morning was a quiet one. It was begining to dawn on everyone I think, that our group was to be split up. The guys we'd been spending our European experiences with over the past couple of weeks, were all going their own separate ways from tonight. Most of these people we probably wouldn't ever see again, though thanks to e-mail and mobiles, we can keep in touch that way. As I've been on two tours like this already, I knew it was going to be like this. I'm still in touch with people from both the previous tours, and I knew this was going to be the same. It's just the way it is. Anyway, we picked up our coach from one of the bus stops, and arrived at Calais at 10:15am. Our ferry crossing ... read more