Back from England.
It never ceases to amaze me. No matter how many times I go there, no matter how well I think I understand British culture and the British people, no matter how prepared I think I am for their quirks and foibles, every time I immerse myself in it it's almost overwhelming what an odd place it is. One phrase pretty much sums it up: "The customer is always wrong." And I quietly asked at least ten times a day, "How can you possibly eat THAT?" Wonderfully wretched forsaken benighted little island, where even when it's sunny the weather sucks. Still smells nice though. Rule Britania!
Rode the rails on up to Oxford for a day to see the old stomping ground, wax nostalgic at my old school, sit and have a quiet pint at my 2 favorite pubs (The Lamb and Flag and The Eagle and Child, aka The Bird and Brat). The store where I bought my first electric guitar, a Squier Strat, is now a Burger King or something. The store where I bought my first amp, a wonderful Marshall JCM800 1-12 combo which I deeply regret selling, is now a travel agency. Awww shucks...
British Airways is among the worst, but 747s are still amazing no matter how crumpled into a corner I was on the way home.
Oh give me a home
Where the hooligans roam
And the beer and the gin both flow free
Where always is heard
A poor rain-soaked bird
And the bartenders glum as can be
Home, home Pommyland
Where the clouds hang over your head
Where the citizens pray
For a quick death each day
And the sky is the colour of lead.
OK, it wasn't that bad. But if you go soon, make sure to bring plenty of $$$. Mucho expensive.
God save The Queen!