Travel Advice & Tips
Sometimes a Place is Exactly What You Expected in the Absolute Best Way Possible.
If you think of England, some of the first things that come to mind may be an English breakfast, tea with crumpets or mini sandwhiches, and a typical British garden. Well, you are right. I was lucky enough to not only visit London but to stay with a good friend and his family in the south of England near Brighton. During this time I came to realize the reason we think of these concepts when thinking of England, is because they are true! His family had a gorgeous garden that took up the entire front property, it truly was beautiful. His mother was always offering you a cup of tea, no matter the time of day, even if you hadn't finished your first cup yet.
When we went to watch a local cricket game, which my friend Sam was playing in that weekend, in the middle of the game (which can take an entire day just to play) both teams went into the club house for tea and mini sandwhiches, which blew my mind. Could you imagine stopping in the middle of a football or basketball so the players could have tea and sandwiches? I cannot deny though, watching that cricket game may have been the highlight of my visit there. Not only was I mingling with local parents and friends of Sam, but the field sat in the middle of luscious rolling green hills. It may be a long game to watch, but with a view like that (plus the beers they were serving from the clubhouse on tap) I could watch that game all day.
One of my favorite parts about England, which you will also find in Ireland, are the pubs. When you think of a "pub" in the United States you may think of a smaller bar or even an Irish bar. But, In England, a pub feels like your are walking into someones living room. They are small, homey, welcoming, and feel as if you are having a beer in someones home. It is not a feeling or experience that is easy to find state side, but in England they can be found in ever alley, street corner, nook, and cranny.
