Just got back from London!

[MacBaine]

Just got back from my first trip to Europe. Went with my school's marching band to perform in the New Years Day parade in London. If anybody saw it on TV, I was in the very last band... the really wet one from Lake Zurich. All I can say is that England is a lot different than I thought it would be in some aspects. I was starting to like it more than the states I am gonna go clean up and sleep, but I will try to upload some pictures and tell some stories later tonight.

 

[DiamondJ]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
Just got back from my first trip to Europe. Went with my school's marching band to perform in the New Years Day parade in London. If anybody saw it on TV, I was in the very last band... the really wet one from Lake Zurich. All I can say is that England is a lot different than I thought it would be in some aspects. I was starting to like it more than the states I am gonna go clean up and sleep, but I will try to upload some pictures and tell some stories later tonight.

What is it that you though was so different than expected? I'm going there in May, what should I look into seeing besides the usual Big Ben and Cathedrals and stuff?

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: DiamondJ

Originally posted by: MacBaine
Just got back from my first trip to Europe. Went with my school's marching band to perform in the New Years Day parade in London. If anybody saw it on TV, I was in the very last band... the really wet one from Lake Zurich. All I can say is that England is a lot different than I thought it would be in some aspects. I was starting to like it more than the states I am gonna go clean up and sleep, but I will try to upload some pictures and tell some stories later tonight.

What is it that you though was so different than expected? I'm going there in May, what should I look into seeing besides the usual Big Ben and Cathedrals and stuff?

Well if you compare it to a US city, it's quite a bit different in some aspects. People are much nicer, first off (at least the ones I met), but I wouldn't even think about trying to drive in London. It's gotta be the worst I have ever seen as far as confusing streets. Seven-and-a-half way intersections with one way streets every which way... and I have come to the conclusion that the lines on the road are for decoration only Other than that, it's just a bunch of little things that stand out. They have like 1/100 the amount of SUVs as America.

I'll talk about it more later like I said... I need a shower.

 

[Koing]

I got back from London also 3 weeks ago, but wait I live about 30 minutes from London on tube and I study in London..lol...

Yeah lack of SUV, older buildings nearer strand and waterloo area. you will see a lot of flash cars in London also!

DiamondJ I'd hit the clubs man! I'd check in to China town also, some pretty interesting shops. I'd DEFINATELY go to Topnamah (dam can't spell it, or remember how to sepll it) Court road lots of cool electronics and everything AV etc

 

[richardycc]

I am going to london for the first time in 2 weeks! can't hardly wait! anything I should watch out for? pickpackers?

rich

 

[DigDug]

Don't be fooled by the british. They pride themselves on a covert arrogance. It's all nice to the face, but behind your back its different. The funny thing is that its double layered. The british as a whole dislike America. Then the English dislike the non-english british. It's funny and pathetic at the same time. Classism exists very strongly there still.

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: BlipBlop
Classism exists very strongly there still.

And it doesnt exist in north america?

 

[benliong]

:Q Seven-and-a-half way intersections with one way streets every which way :Q

I'm going to scottland perhaps in a month or so. can't wait to be there.... so what's there to do in London?

 

[Lonyo]

I'm English (not British), and just because I, and many of the other people in my school (on of the top ones in the country) hate all the stupid people at the crappy comps, does not mean british society has any real meaning of the word class. Just because I look down on the less fortunate means nothing
And yeah, we don't like America much.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I'm English (not British), and just because I, and many of the other people in my school (on of the top ones in the country) hate all the stupid people at the crappy comps, does not mean british society has any real meaning of the word class. Just because I look down on the less fortunate means nothing
And yeah, we don't like America much.

Must be Orthodontia Envy

 

[DigDug]

And it doesnt exist in north america?

America is the closest to a meritocracy the world has, and certainly so much more so than England. While there are many things improvable in America, the opportunity to succeed form hard work is one of its unparalleled traits.

 

[DigDug]

And yeah, we don't like America much.

Because the country that was grown from your loins now contols you in ever manner possible. Your leaders are our bitches. Your industry is our export. How does it feel to soon lose your glorious british pound, as you slash your identity to enter the EU as a pathetic attempt to counter America industrial strength? Euros. hahaha.

 

[Huz]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I'm English (not British), and just because I, and many of the other people in my school (on of the top ones in the country) hate all the stupid people at the crappy comps, does not mean british society has any real meaning of the word class. Just because I look down on the less fortunate means nothing
And yeah, we don't like America much.

You're just jealous that we have more than 1 dentist for every 500,000 people.

 

[DigDug]

There is no ambition in England. The only ones who succeed are the blue-blood elite (inheritance doesn't take much talent) and the immigrant hardworkers. There's tremendous animosity against the East Asian residents, especially in the North because the "british" consistently can't hold a candle to them in work ethic and smarts.

All they have is their music and their drugs. I think half of all England does ectasy.

 

[acidvoodoo]

i'm american and british dual citizen living in england, and i prefer america, so there

but yea, london is an 'experiance'. i don' t like it, because i'm not used to it (live up in yorkshire where it's quiet and crappy)

One thing though, you have to take the tube, everywhere! it's fun!

 

[DigDug]

I don't think America allows dual citizenship with any country but Israel. You better watch out. If they find ouy you are a citizen of England, your citizenship will be revoked.

 

[edjam]

It's Tottenham.

You have Tottenham Court Road, look out for good and dodgy electronics in the same place.

BTW, by reading some of the posts, lots of peopel have pretty bad preconseptions about the UK. ANYONE can succeed with hard work!

And if you think only posh people succeed, come to Wales and there are a few success stories, and Wales is far from posh. Americans always regard the UK as England, which is certainly not the case.

 

[acidvoodoo]

Originally posted by: BlipBlop
I don't think America allows dual citizenship with any country but Israel. You better watch out. If they find ouy you are a citizen of England, your citizenship will be revoked.

you're joking right?

 

[DigDug]

I'm not joking. I'll check now.


EDIT: While it is not explicitly allowed, it is tolerated. However, this could change at any moment considering 9/11 effects. See Here

 

[acidvoodoo]

In most situations, moreover, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is also considered to be a U.S. citizen

that'll be me, and i've never had any problems, as i do alot of travelling between the 2 countries. I don't 9/11 will have to much effect on this, but who knows

 

[MacBaine]

Ok, I'm back. Took a shower and fell asleep for 13 hours Anyway... It was quite fun. It just seems more welcoming and friendly when I was over there, as compared to a large city in the US (Such as Chicago, 30 mins away from me. The fact that most of the buildings are so old, and everything isn't layed out in a grid, gives it somewhat of a cozy feeling as opposed to most big US cities. There is also an overabundance of fine restaraunts, and a much smaller number of fast food joints. I only saw a handful of McDonalds, a couple BKs, but it seems their big one is Pizza Hut, of which there is on about every block or two
I'm gonna go try to upload some pics for y'all, so sit tight.

 

[DigDug]

In most situations, moreover, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is also considered to be a U.S. citizen

This is NOT true, actually. The US gives citizenship by birth. That's why illegal immigrants' kids born here are U.S. Citizens.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
Ok, I'm back. Took a shower and fell asleep for 13 hours Anyway... It was quite fun. It just seems more welcoming and friendly when I was over there, as compared to a large city in the US (Such as Chicago, 30 mins away from me. The fact that most of the buildings are so old, and everything isn't layed out in a grid, gives it somewhat of a cozy feeling as opposed to most big US cities. There is also an overabundance of fine restaraunts, and a much smaller number of fast food joints. I only saw a handful of McDonalds, a couple BKs, but it seems their big one is Pizza Hut, of which there is on about every block or two
I'm gonna go try to upload some pics for y'all, so sit tight.

Most UK places are hundreds of years old (London has been around for many hundreds of years, and has been rebuilt many times), so there's not been any set structure, unlike US cities which are more like the sort of thing in Sim City where you plan everything out and make sure it all makes sense. UK cities just end up a mess as more bits are added and the old bits are left. Gives a much more homely feel imho.