Lost in Aisle 7

Choice is a great thing. Choice we understand is a fundamental privilege many of us are lucky enough to enjoy in various aspects of our lives. When it comes to grocery shopping in Britain I am sometimes frustrated by the lack of choice and no doubt have been known to lose my temper in my local Sainsbury’s when I find my favourite brand has been replaced with some generic compromise, or worse, just removed. However, I have, for the most part, come to terms with life in a smaller country and the fact that at times material choices can be more limiting than in my country of origin.

It dawned on me this summer just how much I had adapted to life in Britain and the daily supermarket food choices. I had the pleasure of spending time in the US in the beautiful state of Maine- vacationland, home of blueberries, lobster and whoopee pies. In fact there is a state-wide debate over whether the state food is blueberries or whoopee pies- tough choice! Going to the grocery store became a popular event (the air conditioning was heaven) although one that always took longer than anticipated. The choices were bewildering!

While looking for 100% pure cranberry juice not from concentrate I became lost in a sea of juice and thought I would never exit aisle 7 alive. I remember as if it were yesterday the Ocean Spray label so familiar from childhood.  This is a no brainer I thought, easy peasy lemon squeezy. Ahhh, but did you know that Ocean Spray produces a zillion varieties of cranberry juice - from concentrate, not from concentrate, cran-apple, cran-raspberry, cran-lemonade, cran-grape, cran-pomegranate… you get the gist.

What amazed me is that for nearly every product on my shopping list from ice cream to Ziploc bags to cereal I was faced with the same task.  Really, I wonder is this choice necessary or even a good thing.

Later in the summer I went to follow a favourite American recipe for cupcakes (I can hear those of you that know my passion for cupcakes laughing) and underwent the task of finding almond extract. This resulted in me crossing State lines to New Hampshire! What happened to all my choices?!

While the UK may not stock an unimaginable variety of household, daily consumables it comes into its own with speciality food shops catering to a multitude of nationalities and tastes. Ditto for restaurants.  Have you ever tried to get a good curry in Maine? Yes, I am happy to have escaped aisle 7 and be back in London even if I do miss blueberries, lobster and whoopee pies!

Written by Nancy Dickinson
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The non-touristy side of London

I am currently 7 weeks into my stay in London.  I have become so much more used to the culture now that I’ve spent some more time getting acquainted with the lifestyle.  During the first few weeks of my stay I was quite overwhelmed by the fast pace and big city culture that it has to offer.  I originally came to London for an 8 week internship programme with 30 other students from all over America.  As the weeks passed, each one quicker than the last, I knew that 8 weeks was not even close to enough time for my stay because I was just starting to get used to the style of living.

As I said in my previous blog, I almost immediately became friends with a few local Londoners just two days after my arrival.  Instead of spending most of the time that I have off from work with the other 30 Americans from my programme, I decided to branch out and spend a lot of it with my new English friends.  Yes, I do realise that I am part of a programme and I do stay involved, but I came to London to get to really see the parts of London that tourists usually do not.  I came here to meet some people that are different to those that I am used to, which was frightening at first, but I went for it and the results could not be any more rewarding.

My new friends have shown me too many places in London to remember.  They have taken me North, South, East, West, and everywhere in between.  Most of our time together is spent playing football in different parks, going out at night, exploring, and most importantly laughing.  Many people have told me that the English have a very strange sense of humour but I have never laughed and smiled so much in my life.  They are hysterical! 
British people have also been especially welcoming.  I get invited to every social gathering, event, and even just to hang out and watch some television at the flat.  As the end of my 8 week programme has approached, I told my new friends that I would be leaving very soon.  This is when one offered for me to stay at his new flat.  My new friend that I had just met a few weeks ago said, “Stay as long as you want you’re always welcome at my place.”  Wow!  I immediately re-scheduled my flight back home.  I’m now going to be in London for another whole month!  I could not be more thrilled.  I couldn’t have come close to imagining how great this experience would be 7 weeks ago.  I am so grateful.
Written by:  Jared O'Neill
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What a great City!

I have to say that this is the first summer in 16 years that I have really enjoyed staying in London during the month of July. The weather has been consistently very nice and hot. I did not have to bring a jacket or a jumper with me at any time of the day and had the opportunity to enjoy many evenings dining “al fresco”. Because of the several guests who came to visit, I also did a lot of sightseeing and walking, sometimes to places that were completely new to me.

Last Friday, thanks to a colleague’s suggestion, I decided to go with my daughter, a friend and her son to the Royal Docks, a new area that was developed recently after the opening of The Emirates Air Line, a cable car that operates between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks. We took the tube to North Greenwich and wandered around the O2 arena, discovering many things including “the climb of an icon”.  If you are not afraid of heights and want to see the view from the top of the arena, you can climb to the top.

I am not particularly comfortable with heights so decided to pass on the Climb and went straight to the cable car without realising what I was getting myself into.  The Air Line can be paid for with the Oyster card (£3.20 for adults and £1.60 for children) and the procedure to board is very easy and comfortable. It was only once on board the cable that I noticed how high it was and how close to City airport! I took the ride without really looking at the spectacular view as I was quite terrified. After what seemed to be an eternity to me, we finally reached the other side.

The kids were all excited as they had seen some large plastic bubbles on the water and insisted on going there. The bubbles are in a small, confined area which is very safe.  Kids (or adults too) go inside and, once zipped in, can feel what it is like to be a hamster rolling around inside a giant plastic ball. They had great time trying to run inside the ball and splash in the water without getting wet! They were also fascinated by some other water activities that were available near by, including water skiing and water jet packs. I had only seen them in a James Bond film and had great fun looking at people using them. Of course none of us dared to try it, but if you feel brave this is something really cool to do.

The return trip by cable car was less painful as at least I was mentally prepared for it. The day continued with a delicious sandwich at Borough Market and a walk in the City. We were exhausted but happy after a fun and different London experience!
Written by:  Alessandra Gnudi
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