London take 2

Day 2: Woke up this morning and my dad met me at my place. We took a train into West End London (still haven’t completely figured out the mass transit system. There are about 10 ways to get anywhere) for a day of walking around in the London rain. My feet got soaked so we added rain boots to my shopping list. (I also need an alarm clock.) We didn’t find either. We were reminded that you have to pay to pee over here (Urinetown anyone?) when my dad had to pay 20p (twenty pence) at the train station and I had to pay 50p later in the day. We walked all over West End, Soho (south of what I wonder?), Covent Garden, and Chinatown. (Its all right there together.) We had just crossed into Westminster (where all the famous stuff is) but it started to pour so we hid under and overhang for a bit. We had traditional fish and chips for lunch with vinegar and mushy peas (the mashed potatoes of peas) at a traditional looking pub. We found a bowling bar (everything revolves around drinking here) and ducked into a bunch of little shops looking for rain boots. I don’t think I am ever going to get the hang of which direction the traffic is coming from, even though it tells you on the sidewalk. My dad took me to see Avenue Q this evening!!! It was great, just as funny as the hype. It was a little weird seeing a show set in New York while in England, but the cast didn’t seem to have much of a British accent or an overly fake American accent so all was good. My dad liked it too which is a plus, what with the puppets having sex on stage and all. It was a lot of fun and really great. I have been dying to see the show, and it was probably more fun than Billy Elliot the Musical and cooler than Mary Poppins, but I think I will go and see more shows (including those) in the future. We then went to Chinatown for dinner where the English translations were horrible and there were whole ducks in the window so I know it was good Chinese food. Should take Tamara there to see all the ducks and chickens hanging in all the windows. My dad says the big thing to do in China is to bring one of those home to your mother. They give you a little box and everything, but they come with the neck and head still attached. Another window and chicken feet and squid for sale as well and the menu included Duck Web, Abalone, Squid and Sea Cucumber (which is a sea animal the routinely throws up its own stomach.) We had deep fried chicken with garlic (very good) Curry Chicken and Prawns in Black Bean sauce. Then we walked back to the train station (my dad got Starbucks on the way. Beware, even Starbucks is not the same everywhere. They charge a different price if you eat in or take away and serve things like cheddar and pickle sandwiches.) and took the train back to Goldsmiths. We sat around and I showed my dad some pictures from my show, called home and then Dad headed back to the hotel to sleep. We’ll meet up tomorrow for breakfast then he heads home. I have to admit that I’m a little bit terrified about this whole thing. Most people came in groups from there school and I’m the only one alone, except for the Danish girl. Its going to be a little bit tough to adjust, but I think I’ll be ok once classes start and the library opens. Wish me luck! I may need it…