Christmas in London!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the US! It was nice entering the new year before all of you… Just kidding, it was funny to call my parents back home saying ‘Happy New Year’ only to have them tell me it was only 6PM and still very much 2010 there.

This year was both a good and a sad Christmas for me. Good because I was able to experience a Christmas in London, but sad because it was my first Christmas away from the folks. I am in a destination wedding coming up in March (Manzanillo, Mexico) and since I am from Texas, will be spending a week with my parents around that time too. As such, I felt it would be nice (and cost effective) to spend Christmas in London. Luckily, one of my friends in London invited me back to spend Christmas with his family in North Devon, UK. Yes, the countryside, just like Chronicles of Narnia. Specifically, the first one where it was cold and snowy.

After a four hour train ride, and an hour car ride we arrived in a quant little town of Barnstaple, UK. When we were at his parent’s house, I definitely felt like we were in the country side with fields of white. When we went to the city, I mean town, I felt like I was in a medieval kingdom. It was pretty amazing to see churches that were built in the 1500’s, streets that were made of cobblestone, and cemeteries with tombstones you could no longer read. It truly puts things in perspective when you realize that our lives are only a ‘blip’ on the radar of life. It also made me realize that we live to love and be loved. I love you so much mom and dad. I love you Avita and Cicely. I love my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents as well. You were all missed this Christmas.

One of the shocking aspects of the city was when we walked by the butcher shop and I saw some freshly caught bunnies hanging outside the shop to air out. I knew I was no longer in a city. One thing I did learn while staying with a British family is their level of sarcasm, also called ‘Taking the piss out of someone’. I truly do not get it, but the British like to make snide comments to each other and it is completely accepted, even part of the norm here. In America, things that might offend are justified here because they are intended only in jest. I think it will take me more time to get used to this one, but if you come to visit, be warned! (You can ask Leanne Eberle about this one too www.cubangalinlondon.blogspot.com!)

Overall, my Christmas in Devon was amazing. My friend’s family was extremely nice, and they even got me some gifts! I know, it was an unexpected surprise! His mother made me feel so welcome, and she always had some sort of food she was offering. His dad was a pleasant gent as well and even got me a Christmas card and a bottle of wine. I truly enjoyed the experience and it was nice to be around a family (even it was not mine) for the Holidays.

A British Christmas is nice though and very similar/different to a US one in the following respects:

Similarities:

• · They have Christmas Trees too
• · They open presents like we do
• · We both celebrate with our family and loved ones
• · We both have mashed potatoes, cranberries, rolls, gravy
• · We both drink wine

Differences:

• · We celebrate Christmas Eve, they celebrate Boxing Day (they don’t even get the 24^th off!)
• · We have fruit cake, they have Christmas Pudding (which I realize I do not like)
• · They have bacon wrapped sausages as part of their meal
• · They always have Turkey, we traditionally have a variety of meats (I think this one is because they don’t have Turkey at Thanksgiving so it is their only holiday to cook the bird)
• · They have these little things called ‘crackers’ which are placed at the table where you are sitting. Each person gets one and you and the person next to you grab on to each end (similar to what you would do with a wishbone) and pull. >POP<>
• · They have this stuff called Bread Pudding, it is a gravy like substance and pretty good
• · I literally drank 5 cups of tea a day (I never realized they really liked it this much!)

On the 27^th, I headed back to London to meet my friend Maria Gencev who was visiting me for Christmas. She is currently living in Madrid and is actually in the destination wedding as well, so she stayed in Europe over Christmas like me. As such, I wanted to show her a good time during her visit. The first night we went out dancing, and had a great time. We went to a very large venue and actually got lost for a bit, but then found each other again. The second day, after we finally woke up, we ventured into Central London to see the sights, including Trafalgar square, Camden markets, Big Ben, the London Eye, Soho, China town and Leicester Square. I had a couple co-workers over that night (Ryan and Dani) and we tried to go to a place called the Roxy. While it sounded fun inside, the hour queue (line) and the amount of 18 year olds in line prompted us to choose another venue. We found a small venue called ‘The Bar’ which was nice, and we heard a funny story about ‘Yumma Yumma’! (Only Maria will get this one). It is really nice to be able to show my friends around London, but I think I am going to have so many pictures of Big Ben by the end of my two years here. For some reason, every time I go I end up taking a picture.

Well, Happy New Year all and thanks for reading. I am actually headed to Prague for a long weekend (Thursday through Monday) so I will be sure to write again soon about my experiences there. Talk to you all later!

Belton

Early Birthday Notice:

Also, Trista and I are starting to plan for our 30^th birthday now! If you are reading this, then you are definitely invited. We will be going to Ibiza for our birthdays the weekend of August 4 – 7^th! If you are adventurous, you can even come to London for July 29 to August 4, then Ibiza from August 4 – 7^th, then Back to the US on the 7^th! This would be a weeklong trip of fun. Plus, the ticket from London to Ibiza is only £50! I really want to get a large group to go and rent out a large apartment there. For those of you who have not heard of Ibiza, just google it!

PS. Congrats Meghan and George on your wedding! I can’t wait to see you guys in Mexico!!!