Would you fancy the cinema?

Yes. Direct quote from a Brit.

"Fancy" and "cinema" in the same sentence. 

Turns out you have to play by their rules when you are in their country... If you try to search for "movie theater" on google maps your only option will be the type of theaters that show plays and operas.

Cinema it is. You win google maps.

Informal beer tasting

Anyone who has seen my Facebook probably realizes that the beer/pub culture is a huge part of the British way of life (either that or it's just my mom who notices...) So naturally when I have one night to show Charlotte what London is all about, I take her on a tour of the British beers at the local pub behind my hotel (I mean, she can learn about the arts and theater through her study abroad program, right?)

How did I do this? I made an impromptu beer tasting experience (something more easily done in the UK) where I ordered half pints of a variety of beers so we could "sample" all of them. Pretty genius if you ask me- and an easy way to give her some "London culture" without us both crawling out of the pub.

Go to my happy place

Sometimes when the tube is 105 degrees and humid on the way to work and I'm uncomfortably pushed up against my sweaty neighbors - I listen to avicii and pretend I'm at ACL (music festival). 

.... I usually am able to resist a fist pump in the subway. 

Tourist in your town

It's not just me. Tons if expats here have the same issue. You just don't go to all the touristy places on your own. Maybe because we are actually living life here and doing things like.... Work. 

I also realized that there is no need to do "touristy" things alone when I can wait for a friend to come visit and have the experience with a friend.

Insert Ashlyn coming to town! Ashlyn and I played tourist and did proper British things - Tower of London, afternoon tea, changing of the guards, Harrods. 

It's funny to realize it took me 4 months to do some of the typical touristy things that others do in just a weekend. Makes me think of how many "touristy" things I missed out on in 3 years in Dallas. (Took me 2.5 years to actually go see where JFK was shot! Yes, I stood on the "x" in the middle of the road)

Really, the stop and go bus tours in your own town is not a bad idea.