Good Night Africa

What is it like sleeping in Africa?

(1) Half way through washing your face to get ready for bed the lights go out. It's not raining or lightening. The power just randomly goes out for an indefinite period of time. Good thing I am traveling with an experience African traveller who has a "flashlight app". I fully understand the iPhone of "there's an app for that". (Thanks apple)

(2) The lights come back on and you are awaken suddenly to turn them off.

(3) There are people screaming outside in a different language and (unlike Dallas) you aren't about to go tell at them to keep it down

(3) Climate control isn't quite an option

(4) You think: "should I put on bug spray before bed just in case?"

(5) But.... You get to sleep in a cute little bed in a Moroccan style room and wake up to an amazing Moroccan style breakfast home cooked by the bed&breakfast staff.

Nothing like a good nap on the train ride to Fes!

Poverty with a mix of satellite tv

I am going to show you a close up of the little town on the hills from my previous blog post. I am sitting on the roof of my hotel (they have a seating area, I'm not just climbing random Moroccan buildings) and overlooking a decently impoverished Villiage. Impoverished, yet equip with satellite tv.

I noted the little dish ontop of small, old buildings. Nathan (my colleague who works in Africa) explained that tv is one of the most highly valued treasures in many African villages. Interesting. No door and yet tv.

I do believe that they appreciate a simplistic way of living here. And quite frankly the kids seem to be running around outside. It is just fascinating to see satellite dishes across the skyline of these old Moroccan homes.

What they forgot to teach me in grade school

I think I need to begin by adequately setting the scene.

I am going to Morocco (well, currently I am in morocco but that is just a spoiler alert and irrelevant to the story... But probably another blog post). I am meeting my coworker Nathan in the airport in Madrid and we are going to take the same flight to Tangier. Nathan had called me late the night before to let me know he might not be able to make it to Madrid and ultimately Morocco until 12 hours after me. Note - I don't even know the name of the first hotel we are staying in or if a girl can take a taxi by herself.

Flash forward to the airport in Madrid. I have no way to contact Nathan to see if he made it to Madrid or to get on my email for the hotel instructions unless I get Internet. I am in an airport where English is non existent, trying to find my gate, and desperately trying to get on the Internet to get my instructions.

The Internet? You have to pay. And yes, instructions are all in Spanish. I know things like "nombre" but I literally can figure out half of the other words to PAY for Internet. Turns out you have to set up a username and password. PASSWORD?!? That is one word that I did not know in Spanish. Enough trial and error and I figured it out.... But it is that type of useful vocabulary that they just didn't teach me in my 4th grade Spanish class.

I could bore you with a screenshot of my Internet log on page which is fully in Spanish... Or I can show you a picture of the beautiful scenery that I have been taking in for the last few hours. (I think you'd prefer the latter)

Oh, and I found Nathan - in case you were wondering.

(More blog posts to come from Morocco)

Eggs with a Side of Ketchup

I happen to like my eggs with ketchup. (Also with salsa but the point is irrelevant for my story) Literally, scrambled eggs with ketchup is probably one of my favorite breakfast meals. I was craving it in London since I don't have a kitchen (and thus can't make it - you always want what you can't have, right?) and because scrambled eggs is not a big thing here. (Ill have to post a picture of a true English breakfast)

I gave in to my craving and purchased the "just add water" eggs that they serve at EY. Much to the disgust of my coworkers, I added ketchup. (Serious disgust... You would think I added chocolate syrup to my eggs)

This sparked a debate. While SOME Brits have ketchup with their eggs, hardly no European would consider it. They only even know the concept exists because of American movies. (But didn't think people actually did that!)

I am not a fan of falling into American stereotypes. And Americans eating ketchup is one I didn't know existed (and one I plan to continue to fall into). Americans are thought to not appreciate fine foods and "ruin" them with condiments.

All I have to say is that it is a good thing they didn't meet my roommate, Marybeth, in college. THAT is ketchup eating. But I guess we all know that avid ketchup eater huh?

German Safety Videos

The German's take their safety very seriously. They like rules and order - And if you don't follow the rules and order? Bad things happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oB6DN5dYWo

(Warning: This is not for someone with a weak stomach... like me)

And yes, I watched this on my lunch break.

Margaret Thatcher lives on.... In Dallas!

I am not sure if people in the states know that Margaret Thatcher passed away.... but it has kind of been a big deal here. (and "kind of" is an understatement"). Her death has been the most controversial topic I have seen yet in London.

People either love her or hate her:

My personal take is completely selfish (seeing as I am not a northern UK resident anyways): A quote from UK Daily Mail states "Without her – and the ‘Big Bang’ transformation of the City during the Eighties – would London be the international metropolis it is today? Most unlikely, said the random selection of City workers I talked to outside." To me this means "If it wasn't for Margaret Thatcher, I might not get to be in London today. Thus making me a Thatcher-fan.

This is (thankfully) not a political blog.... so, lets get to the good stuff.

Margaret Thatcher's ONLY grandson, Michael Thatcher, is a Aggie who now lives in Dallas.

Small freaking world. What are the odds?!? He grew up literally 10 minutes from my (old) apartment. The world is really smaller than we think and I am smacked in the face with this reality nearly every day here.

Gig 'em Thatchers!


If you want to know more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/margaret-thatcher-american-grandkids-chip-conservative-block-article-1.1315354
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/margaret-thatcher/9988512/Margaret-Thatcher-The-grandchildren-in-the-US-who-share-the-Iron-Ladys-spirit.html

Greenwich Villiage - London Edition

Typical conversations after my day trip to Greenwich Village:

Friend: What did you do this weekend?
Me: Went to Greenwich Villiage - It was so awesome....
Friend: Wait, you were in New York?

Dear Fellow Americans, while New York is where I always think of Greenwich, the original is UK property. (Think Greenwich Mean Time). Actually this little place is actually what the rest of the world centers time around. "Ahead or behind GMT by X hours". (I will NOT go back into the time zone discussion!) Greenwich is just as cute as the village that we all know and love in New York.

Cute area, old timey buildings, and an AMAZING view of the city. Welcome to the original.

Old Imerial English Taking Over

Just as you know you're in a relationship when it's "Facebook official" - you know you're becoming a Londoner when Facebook caters it's ads to you in metric or British or something (who even knows what a stone is anyways?!?) in my head, dropping a stone could be the size of a pebble or the size of a gigantic boulder. Losing a "stone" is more of a definite term to the Brits.

Although to be honest - losing a pebble or a boulder is great in London after eating German chocolates weekly from German (rough life, I know) and frequenting the Londoner's tradition of "grabbing a pint".

Avocados? Here I come! Ill let you n ow what a stone is at some point. Thanks Facebook

Lonely Americans on a UK Bank Holiday

Last weekend was "Early May Bank Holiday". I had to look that up since everyone just called it a "bank holiday". The beautiful thing is that these bank holidays in the UK are four day weekends where everyone goes on vacation.... everyone that is, besides the Americans. Sure, I could have taken the day instead of Memorial day but the Brits and Eurpoeans get more bank holidays than we do in the states so I would eventually end up short somewhere anyways. (Besides, it is like that week between Christmas and New Year's where your only main responsibility is "hold down the fort" and "deal with issues")

Thankfully I happen to have an American manager - so the two of us "redecorated" the large conference room - much to the delight of the Europeans. Yes, that is dry erase marker. And yes, it might not have been the MOST productive way to spend the quiet time in the office. But... I was merely the accomplice (and made sure everyone knew so - to avoid retaliation)  And, we must have been more productive the rest of the day since no one was in the office.... right?

Let's just say, I cant wait for the next bank holiday.

The Fitness Test

Most Londoners ride the tube on a daily basis. (Unless they are stupid rich or live close enough to walk to work). There are one or sometimes two gigantic escalators to get out of underground where the tube runs. Due to London's strict rule following ability, the right side of the escalator stands while the second runs - or so it feels in work clothes. (You can tell a tourist because he/she stands on the ... Gasp... left side)

Every morning it is a huge decision if you are going to be a walker/runner because after the first step you need to continue to the top at approximately the same speed as the person ahead of you.

I consider this my daily fitness test. I run up the escalator and wait to see at what step my legs start burning. (Usually half way up the second case). I thought this was a personal thing until we discussed it one day at work and learned that I have plenty of company in this personal fitness test game.

Who needs crossfit when we have the escalators?

To Change or Not to Change... (That is the difference)

Getting back to the Sheraton after a short time at home, I learned that my couch had been upgraded to a new couch! This seriously felt like my lucky day!

The next day at work I was relaying this enthusiasm to my favorite British coworker. (Or "favourite") He had a different perspective (something along the lines of) "well, it's not Your couch anymore. What if you liked that couch. Change isn't always good" ugh, how very British! I explained once again that I got a Brand. New. Couch. For free!

But that made me think... Maybe there is something to the British anti-change culture. This tradition and change-adverse attitude is potentially the reason England has so much culture. (And because the country is umm so much older than the us?) this is why we will see the traditional red phone booths here - we would have torn them out long ago! What do we lose with out "out with the old and in with the new attitude?"

Why constantly change if what we have is good? Maybe my coworker needs to go talk to the people who wait all night (or 3 days) in line at the apple store for the next iPhone - which is basically the same as their old one. Just food for thought.

In conclusion: If anyone from the Sheraton is reading this? Thank you so so so much for me new couch! And please don't take it away! You have one happy American on your hands!

Food British People Eat

British people eat some weird things. Maybe they are normal if you grew up in the UK, but they sure are strange to me (feel free to argue if you disagree - but I will most likely just think you eat weird things too).

Due to the popularity of my "take pictures of actual civilians on the subway" post (further showing that you all are just as creepy as I am), I decided to sacrifice my pride once again and take pictures in the local M&S Grocery store. People did look at me strangely, but it is all in the name of learning... right?

(1) Anything with Rhubarb. If you are like me, you might have heard of rhubarb but never actually had it. You can't avoid it here. They have it in deserts and jams and everything that you wouldn't want a vegetable in.

(2) Pig obsession. I believe that the Brits have a pig obsession. Exhibit A (below) shows a whole row of "Percy the Pig" gummy candies. They advertise that they are made with pig gelatin (ew) and you can't get any other gummies except these pig ones. They also have a kid's TV show called Peppa the Pig. If they found out that the beef was filled with pig meat instead of horse meat - I don't think the whole "scandal" would have been a big deal.

(3) Gooseberry and Elderflower. I have seen both of these names places. I don't know what a gooseberry is or if I've ever had it. But I guess it is luxurious?

(4) Hot Cross Buns. THEY DO EXIST! And all these years I thought it was just a song we played on the recorder growing up. They actually have them here and they actually have a cross on them.

(5) Rocket. Or actually Arugula, for those of us speaking modern English. I can hardly go to a restaurant with out there being a Rocket option. "Rocket and cheese", "Rocket and olive oil", etc. I did not order it for awhile because who knew what rocket was!? Try googling rocket and you will find something more space related than food related.

Sigh. Sometimes I dream in Queso and Whataburger ketchup....

Don't Mess with Texas

How is it that so many Europeans know that saying? Clearly the best anti-littering campaign gone viral. Maybe it stands for much more now?

There are just some things in Texas that you don't see other places (London). I may not have always thought about them before but they saying going away and coming home brings a new perspective. (Besides its time that I poke alittle fun at my own state since I've poked alittle fun at the uk)

- Land. Lots and lots of flat land.
- Highway's signs advertising tractor rentals
- Fat people
- Signs written in Spanish only
- Sunshine
- Bud light
- Salsa, I mean, real salsa
- Queso... not just a block of cheese
- Trailer hitch
- 18 wheelers
- Strangers talking to each other on the bus
- Massive trucks
- College stickers on cars
- Bar-b-que pit restaurants on the highway
- Highways in general
- People getting married before 25
- People getting married before 30
- People actually getting married (just kidding. Kinda)
- Texas flags on every tenth building
- McDonalds the size of Westminster Abbey
- Real tortillas in the grocery store (if they aren't hand made in front of you, they aren't real)
- Chick fil a
- Gas stations (where do the taxis fill up in London?)
- Lunch for $5

London Math

London math blows my mind. I am an accountant and yet I think I appear to be missing basic math skills. (See the elevator floors post)

I am going to hit daylight savings time in the US (march 10) and lose an hour. then hit daylight savings time in the UK (march 31) and lose an hour. Hypothetically, if I am not in the states for the fall daylight savings time (nov 3) and ONLY hit the one in the UK (oct 27)... Where does that extra hour go!? Do I lose an hour on my year?

I decided to take a poll from my coworkers (They were also the only ones online early in the morning)

Nathan	i think you're overthinking this
◄	don't overthink it

◄

it's just rounding

Andre
◄	oh, 21st century problems
◄	that is actually.... interesting to think about
◄	you do lose an hour in the year don't you?
◄	glitch in the matrix

Andy
◄	time change between TX and London is what
◄	6 or 7 hours?
◄	7?
◄	okay 7
◄	you go back October 29th say
◄	whats the time change then
◄	fall back
◄	so one additional hour
◄	you make my head hurt

The real answer is provided by Joerg. Pretty much I have come to realize that if there is any issue/question, he is probably the most knowledgeable person to go to (and on top of that, has this insane ability to tone it down to my level of understanding capabilities).

Short answer: You "make up the time" in flight.
Correct answer: You never "lose time" since it is a manmade concept and the only thing that actually changes is the time set on your clock (or the time that your iPhone states)

Any conversation with Joerg requires pen and paper. Below are my notes that demonstrate how my flight travel is actually where the hour is altered back and I don't end up with a year that is short an hour.

You will also note that there are other lessons on this paper. I am going to summarize them now because they are simply fascinating concepts - I will elaborate on them at a later date when it is appropriate to have another mega-long-blogpost-science lesson. (Don't say you didn't learn anything from reading my blog!)

• Time zones only started because of of the Train's timetables
• Every city used to have it's own time. All of them varied by seconds to hours from Washington DC time
• In 1884 there was an International Meridian Conference
• All countries were on board in 1956
• Leap seconds - We actually have leap seconds! Common people just don't know. turns out the world is slowing down and we have to have leap seconds to make up for it. This might not affect your everyday life, but for tons of scientists out there? its pretty difficult to coordinate.

Moral of the story: I will not lose an hour off my year.

"If you don't learn something new every day it wasn't worth living." - My grandfather.
Happy learning.

"We open when we get around to it"

My laundry and dry cleaning needed to be picked up today. The cleaners are a cute little mom and pop shop - as many of the restaurants and shops are in mu are. so cute indact that they are only open from 8:30am-6:00pm (see picture below).

That's great of course if you are one of the typical people in Mayfair who is either a "stay at home trophy wife" or "can just have your maid go pick it up". I don't fall into either category.

At 8:50am I am still waiting outside the shop. I am not going to be 30ish minutes late to work since I have to drop the clothes off (I can't leave them in the tube the way I could in a car!) and then fight tube traffic. (And by fight I mean literally throwing bows). I understand that things come up and people are late. But it was late to open two weeks ago for me and last week for a coworker. And dropping off Saturday to Saturday is not an option for the small amount of clothes I brought!

This is one of the many examples of the casual "we open when we want" attitude that I've seen all over the uk (and eu)