London Souvenirs
En route to London , I imagined a sort of Dickensonian city with Brits decked out in Burberry trench coats, trotting along cobblestone streets in the rain. As I tried to sleep on the airplane, stereotypical British images floated through my mind, like The Beatles, Big Ben, Prince William, and Fish n' Chips. I imagine my dream collage is like restricting the United States to Britney Spears, the Statue of Liberty, George Bush, and tater-tot hot dish. After nearly a month of exploring and theater-going, I began to see the idiosyncrasies that reveal real London , beyond the stereotypes and tacky souvenir shops.
Chicken Marsala : London truly is a cosmopolitan city with a unique international flavor and charm. As evidence of its diversity, I read in a London paper that Fish and Chips is no longer the superlative dish in London . Chicken Marsala , an Indian dish, has taken first place, revealing the influence of the Indian population in London and the welcoming nature of Londoners to embrace other cultures. You know you're in London when you dine at some of the best Indian restaurants outside of India . After seeing a play in the West End , I was lured into a delicious Indian restaurant by the spicy scent of curry. London is definitely more than fish and chips.
Mews streets: The best way to explore London is by walking and exploring all the tiny streets that weave in and out of the dense city. Hidden between busy streets, office buildings, and residences, mews streets recall a time before the Tube and black cabs when stables were found along these narrow alleys used for horse-drawn carriages. Ironically, the stables have been converted over time and now house exclusive residences and charming local pubs. Each borough, or neighborhood, has a distinct character, which can be seen in the mews. You know you're in London when you mosey down a mews street illustrating the jarring juxtaposition of old and new found in London architecture.
Theater Ice cream: The quality and diversity of theater in London is unmatched anywhere else in the world. I was struck by the large attendance at theater venues and the national support for the arts. Each theater has such a unique character, yet eating ice-cream during the interval appeared to be a unifying element in the London theater-going experience. I was a little hesitant to eat ice-cream on red velvet seats, but you know you're in London when audience members rush out of the aisles to fork over three or four pounds for a teeny tiny cup of interval bliss.
Crowns: Every street lamp and road sign has the British crown or lion and unicorn emblem, constantly reminding Londoners of the monarchy. The notion of royalty is such a foreign concept in the American experience that I found myself noticing these signs around the city. Listening to Londoner's talk affectionately about the Queen––“Bless her heart”––or seeing the crown jewels at the Tower of London helped me understand the importance of England's royal heritage. You know you're in London when you see crowns and royal seals around the city, marking the country's loyalty to the Queen.
Portobello Road Market: On my first Sunday morning in London , I hopped the Tube and wandered down Portobello Road , where I stumbled upon a sensory explosion. The road was milling with people and there were all sorts of goods, from organic produce to antique teacups. A parade of families with children, old men reading the paper, and street performers strolled down the road. At the market, I observed the community come alive and the distinctive flavor of the Notting Hill Borough. You know you're in London when you experience the energy of a local market.
Pantoland: Ever conscious of my Yankee accent on the street, perpetuated by a certain encounter with a Brit who asked, “How are the colonies these days?,” the theater suspended this reality. As the lights dimmed, I joined the audience for a true immersion experience, where the communal nature of theater allowed me to learn more about the British perspective by just watching other people's reactions. I will never forget my first British panto when the straight-laced man next to me began shouting out loud. You know you're in London when you hear yourself chanting “Cake” at the top of your lungs.
After my sojourn abroad, I returned to the States with this handful of souvenirs to remind me of real London . Although red phone booths, black cabs, and high tea at Claridge's will remain classic images of the city on the Thames, this litany reflects my own experience as an American student in London , delving beyond the stereotypes.
