Orientations, Princess Diana, and ale

Kensington Palace

Yesterday we attended some CAPA orientations about London basics. Lingo (such as saying "queue" instead of "line," etc.), our residences, and how to travel were some of the topics included in discussion. My room mates and I got Piccell phones for $20, not including pay-as-you-go rates. I'm planning on not using my phone very often - just to coordinate with my room mates and my internship supervisor. I'm a little suspicious of the rates.

After we got phones, Lindsey, Jane, Lana and me looked for food. A Persian brasserie failed to impress us, so we went next door to the Goat Tavern. I think this is a good pub. We felt slightly embarrassed not knowing pub protocol. We had to ask the bartender how to order. I got a "cheese on toast" sandwich with "chips." I also am irritated that Europeans generally serve bottled mineral water instead of free tap water.

Next we went to Kensington Gardens. We thought we also went to Hyde Park, but apparently the gardens are bigger than we thought. Interesting items of note:

-Couples unabashedly make out in public... although unobservant me did not notice. Lana clued me in.
-No Brits that I saw had their dogs on leashes. The dogs are that well-trained. And most of the dogs are healthy and fit, as opposed to the fat dogs I often see in the States.
-Kensington Palace is not that impressive, although people still place shrines to Princess Diana on the gate. The gardens are pretty, though.

After Kensington Gardens, we came back and fell asleep at the apartment. Everyone seems to get into a slump around late afternoon/early evening. Later that night we met up with some other girls that are staying in this building through CAPA and tried a pub.

This was quite an experience for me. As I'm 20, I'm unable to drink in the States. Thus, I had my first real British ale. It was a recommendation from the bartender - Spitfire. I tried to like it. Not successful. I was sort of proud that I drank half of it.

Note: Beers in Britain have much more alcohol in them than American beers, according to the police constable that talked to us today at the CAPA safety orientation. It's about 5 or 6 percent versus 3 percent.

CORRECTION: As Erik has informed me, it's appears to be true that this is a rumor. Budweiser, for instance, also has 5 percent alcohol content. According to a (probably unreliable) Web site, Spitfire has 4.8 percent. Rumor debunked. I must inform my European acquaintances.

I tried to tip the bartender. After making $2.85 an hour waitressing, I'm a tipping-freak. But apparently in London (and elsewhere in Europe), tipping bar staff is not necessary. Some people tip at their last round of drinks if they've had many. Even tipping waitstaff at restaurants is minimal, although more frequent than at pubs. Often, they charge a service fee. Still, I'm nervous about stiffing someone.

After we went to the pub, I felt a little hyper, because my body clock is so confused. I forced myself to sleep. This morning we went to our internship orientation, then the police safety orientation (hilarious and informative -- more on this later in an upcoming column), then an afternoon "arrival tea." For those of you who are not aware, I'm a bit of a tea freak. Yet I still don't fit in here. Although apparently most English people drink tea (it's 40 percent of their fluid intake, according to the CAPA academic director), 98 percent of them drink it with milk. That's because it's black tea, and not green or white tea, which are my favorites. It seems my beverages don't fit in with any country in the West. I must go to China some day.

Then we went shopping on High Street in Kensington. H&M was a hit - I got a dress and a much-needed large purple bag. I spent 35 pounds - not too bad. We also went to a posh store called Topshop, one of M.I.A.'s favorite stores.

Tonight - perhaps Piccadilly Circus. We don't know.