Food

One thing Ann and I have joked about is that when and if we travel internationally, we would choose our destinations based on food. For example, ice cream and beef we would go to Argentina, chocolate we would go to Switzerland, italian food we would visit the local chain (I understand Italian food is not how we understand it, as with most ethnic foods…). Well, I got to do one of those on this last trip. I wish I had more pictures of the food. We didn’t eat a ton, but what I did eat was great. If you travel into these countries, here are some things to look for:

• Switzerland
• Chocolate (duh). In particular, the Milka and Coullier brands. Not sure on the spelling of the second one. There are some others, but those are the names I remember. Tomberline is also excellent, but you can get that locally. Also, Lindt was a huge brand, but once again, that is local.
• Rusti (no idea of the spelling, but you say it like roost-ee). Basically, this is like greasy french fries. Traditionally, you would eat it with brautworst.
• Germany
  • Sausage. Germany boasts that they make 1500+ types of sausage. Most that I tried were amazing.
• Austria
  • Weinerschnitzel (not sure of the spelling on this either). This is a veal cutlet coated in some kind of a bread crust and then deep fried. It is definately not a hot dog. I tried one that was a cordon bleu (chicken, ham, and swiss cheese). Very good. If you go to Vienna, make sure to visit Schnitzelwrit (Scnhitzel World). It is a cozy little restaurant that serve large, tasty portions for a good price. It is rumoured that the local missionaries frequent this fine establishment.
  • Pretzels. I am not sure if it is a national thing, but at least in Salsburg, then had a great variety. There is a picture of me about to eat one in one of my earlier posts.
• Czech Republic
  • Goulosh (spelling?) Basically a good stew
  • Cabbage soup. Not something I would have chosen, but I was glad I did. Another local favorite.
• England
  • Fish and chips. If you are in London, let me recommend Audleys (Odd-lees). I think I have the spelling on that one. They have two varieties. The small and large. The small has bones. The large is deboned. Needless to say, I recommend the large.
  • Bangers and Mash (sausage and mash potatoes). We had this at a pub near one of the bridges. The name had "Princess" in it, but I can’t remember it completely. I actually just asked a tour bus driver for where he recommended. That is where he said to go. Very good.

There were two things I tried in each country, as well: ice cream and truffles. Switzerland won the truffle contest, and Vienna won the ice cream contest. Though it was a close call for all those countries. As for ice cream bars, I would recommend the Magnum bars. Could get them in just about every place you went. They come in a variety of flavors and all are good (though I didn’t try the white chocolate flavor).

London

Well, I was having some problems with the internet, so I haven’t been able to write anything. So here goes for the last couple of days. Mostly, I will just try and add a couple of pictures. Not much to say…

First day, we visited Windsor Castle. One of the hardest things on this tour has been not being able to take pictures inside places. Most places won’t let you. We toured Windsor Castle and St George’s Cathedral, and neither of them allow pictures inside. While it looks pretty amazing, it is hard to miss the insides as well. There was some pretty amazing history, paintings, armor, coats of arms, etc. I am sure there are pictures on the internet somewhere of those areas. But I don’t have any. Here are some of the better pictures I took there. In this one Troy Carpenter and his wife are in the foreground…

While this castle didn’t seem nearly as majestic as some of the others, it definitely looked more like a castle that I have always pictured from the middle ages.

The inner courtyard…

 

St. George’s Cathedral…

We didn’t have a whole lot of time, so I wasn’t able to take all of the pictures I wanted. Over the last two days, we have done most of our touring walking.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we visited:

Big Ben

The London Eye

The Houses of Parliament

 

Westminster Abbey

Buckingham Palace

And the Mall

Not to mention, we went to see Les Miserables

Evidently, I wasn’t suppose to take pictures inside. But before anyone told me, I took a shot or two inside the theatre (before anything started, of course)

Today we had a bus/tube ticket good for all day, so we tried to visit places that were farther out than where we were staying. For example:

The London Bridge

The Tower Bridge (which is what most people think of when you say London Bridge)

The H.M.S. Belfast

The Tower of London

And most importantly (at least to some people) Harrod’s

Here’s Rob on one of the escalators…

After all of that, I walked down Oxford street and visited a number of shops. I went into several book shops looking for the English version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but no one had any book earlier than Azkaban. Ah well.

Our favorite place to eat has become a small restaurant within a block of our hotel, but I can’t remember the name. Here I am eating fish and chips. The only bad thing about the meal was the peas. Somehow, all the flavor was gone. When Rob tried his, he agreed. But once I added vinegar and salt, the flavor was pretty good. Everything else with the meal was great. Actually, the peas have been the only thing I haven’t liked (as far as food) the entire trip. It has been great.

One last event today. I saw a sign that said anti-climb paint. See below. I didn’t know what it was, so I decided to touch the pole. Turns out it is basically black greasy paint that doesn’t dry. So my fingers came away very sticky and black. At least I only did my finger tips…

Well, the world cricket cup begins tomorrow here locally, so things will get pretty busy around here, but we have already made plans. We are going to get a boat to take us up river a ways and visit one more location. After that, I think we will just come back to the hotel and rest.

My feet are killing me, but please, no pity… I will get by.