Oh, England

As I'm lounging around watching British television, eating Jamaican Ginger Cake and drinking tea, here's a little recap...

I had a pretty uneventful train ride from Liskeard to Harpenden yesterday. "Uneventful" meaning I didn't get thrown up on, for just as I was eying some seats across the isle from me (one can switch seats on the train as much as one switches lanes on the freeway), an old lady came walking briskly down the isle to the toilets with her hands over her mouth and vomit spewing between her fingers onto the floor. I know, gross. BUT, the person who had the window seat I was eying took one look at the "sick" (as many call it) and immediately went elsewhere for a seat which meant I got the window seat on the ocean-side of the train for the rest of the trip to London. Hooray! So, just remember that sometimes, one person's sick is another person's treasure.

After that, it was smooth sailing into Paddington and then to St. Pancreas (my favorite station--very suave, bustling, and beautiful and where the EuroStar departs from). I got off at the Harpenden station and thanks once again to the house with the giant gum-drop-shaped bush, I knew just which way to go to get to the Highfield Oval on Ambrose Lane. I walked up to my friend Dave and Ulani's house, took my shoes off, hugged Ulani and picked up right where we left off when she and Dave were in the states last year. Well, with another 11-week addition to their family, baby Aliyah.

My friend Christine and I, with whom I did my DTS in 2008, walked down to the high street and went to good ol' Sainsbury's to get some dinner. We made some pasta with mincemeat, bought some Bulmer's for later, and really just relished in the inexpensive joys that Sainsbury's brings us. Bland, but inexpensive.(Taste will come later, in the rest of Europe.)

Today I took the train to St. Albans for their outdoor Wednesday market. I don't know why I like going there so much, but I do. More for the idea of the market than the things I can buy; I guess I really just like the idea of a community market that sells everything to its neighbors. I noticed I was the only person wearing shorts--it was probably around 65--and I got a few astonished looks. I, however, didn't give my astonished looks to those who I thought were overdressed, but instead to all the mums in the coffee shops. What do they and/or their husbands do where they can just sip away on their Italian beverages in coffee shops with their children all morning long?! Then it was revealed to me that mums get 1 year of maternity leave here. Amazing.

The next few days I'll be here in Harpenden, just hanging out being a foreign-resident of sorts, doing the things I did when I lived here in 2008, as kind of a vacation among the vacation. For, the travels I have planned with my brother on the back half of this trip will be non-stop, full of unfamiliar foods and languages, late nights, internet cafes, and bicycles. For now, I'm enjoying hanging low with some good friends and what little remaining Cornish yarg I have left to share.

Gastronomy part I

Yes, this really will be a month of eating great things. It started with the pasty on Saturday in Looe, beef, potatoes, onions, and such, in a flaky, portable crust, much like a Chipotle burrito for beef stew. It was great until we came across a coffee shop that caught our attention and we tucked them away for later (which is the joy of pasties, so conveniently portable!).

 

(I'll admit, the first night here I had instant decaf coffee at my friend's house. Funny how many of the English foods that either tasted gross or made my stomach dodgy the first time in 2008, I now actually don't mind or even enjoy now!)

I'll never understand English coffee shops: £1.50 for a small Americano of which its contents is usually questionable (was that instant coffee or wasn't it?). I put up with it though, for it's the idea of getting coffee in England that counts. 

Whilst in Looe, Roz took me to a little cheese shop where I was introduced to Cornish Yarg. Yarg! Yarg is a wonderful light cheese that is wrapped in stinging nettle, and since we're right where it's made, it is very inexpensive. It's phenomenal! (Especially since your mouth doesn't go numb from the nettle).

We're heading over to a friend's house tonight for wine and cheese so we had to pick up some Wenslydale with cranberries. It'll be great to indulge since it is usually only available around Christmas time at specialty cheese shops back home. Sweet!

Also in that cheese shop I sampled some (hard) cider and some Cornish Lust, strawberry-cream wine akin to Bailey's Irish Cream. (They promote it as "strawberries, cream, and a little Cornish magic," but I know the Cornish magic is just wine.) I suspect it'd taste great with some dark chocolate regardless of whether an endless chain of scarves comes out of an empty bottle or not.

And then today it was cream tea (though eaten at high tea) for lunch up on the Moors among the sheep and, well, sheep. Shredded cheddar cheese sandwiches with cucumber and tomato, scones, strawberry jam, Cornish cream, tea, and cake. I had forgotten how great shredded cheddar cheese sandwiches are--so simple, yet so satisfying! Needless to say, we didn't even make it to the cake--way too much food. 

And I'm pretty sure if I were to ever write a cookbook this photo would grace the cover. I mean, what better photo to invite people to take a look inside?

Paddington Station to Liskeard

Hey, there! This is the inaugural post for my EU trip and what better a fitting place than Liskeard, Cornwall? Indeed, there really isn't a better place. Here's a quick update of what I've done so far. Ideally, the next post will be about what I've eaten, which will be even than this post better because it includes "lust" and stinging nettle. So fascinating...

At any rate, here's a great fact: both Paddington Bear and I have traveled through Paddington Station. He grabbed marmalade while there, I grabbed Muller Corner Yoghurt. (Visit Paddington Bear's website for more information about his amazing life--did you know he's from Peru!?) I had a great train ride from Paddington to Lisekard, where I met up with my friend Roz, with whom I did my DTS back in 2008. It's been great catching up with her as she's helped ease me back into English culture.

And really, so far, it's been enjoyable reacquainting myself with the English culture. For instance, accepting that people incessantly say "cheers" especially in situations where I would say "thank you" or nothing at all. Or, realizing again just how amazingly low the prices are here: 12p for a liter and a half of sparkling water. 12p! That's about 20 US cents. Amazing prices, I say!

 

I'm staying at Roz's parents' house somewhere around Liskeard. She and I wandered into Looe yesterday and enjoyed the ocean, Cornish pasties, and coffee. A cute little fishing village much like Kennebunkport, Maine...only older. The tide was out so it wasn't super busy with fishing boats, and let's be honest, it was a little stinky. However, it was still incredibly quaint and fun to window shop in.

 

We checked out Trego Mills, quite the bizarre place as it looks like an amusement park, but it's really a Home Deopt, IKEA, and, say, JC Penney's rolled into one castle-like building. One is indeed not amused as one tries to find what one needs at Trago. Still great to experience one of the many happenings in Cornish life.

Today we walked with the dogs on the south coast. A great sunny day to meander down the trail, saying "hi" to people, and see sheep and cows further up the hillsides.

It's more Cornish goodness until Tuesday, when I take the train back to London and up to Harpenden. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you soon!

In Flight Entertainment

My bag is packed and it is well under the 50-pound limit (much to my surprise) and I'm set to enjoy the following from seat 23-A:
* A significant increase in my WorldPerks Miles
* Complementary wine and beer
* Dinner at 11pm
* Over twenty movies on demand including An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong, The Hangover, and Night at the Museum 2
* A seat that reclines 6 inches or less
* Wonky sleep
* A view of the Northern Lights from around New Brunswick, Canada
* Conversations with strangers
* And the reality of knowing that I'll be in England when I set foot on solid ground again
First stop is to spend a few days with my friend Roz and her family in Liskeard, England. The dollar is much stronger than the pound from when I was there in 2008, which rejoice, means more Muller Corner Yoghurt for me.
More from England soon!

The Beat on the Cobblestone Streets

Howdy, Neighbors,
From 03 September to 03 October, I'll be gallivanting around Europe visiting friends and traveling with my brother. Check back during that time to see if I really do eat my weight in Muller Corner Yoghurt, get by with speaking only Deutsch in Deutschland--or cry because I accidently ordered the tripe-wurst--swim in the North Sea, entertain others as a street performer for a few hours, or get crushed by a pallet of Swiss chocolate (hey, free healthcare--who cares!).

I'll be in touch in the coming weeks. Until then, may your fall be filled with warm sweaters, apple crisp, good friends, and possibly a few days at your local state fair!

heidischermerhorn.com

That's where the blogging's at. It's one giant, virtual scrapbook, in my mind, and slowly coming together. Yet it is so much more crafty than blogspot (and I get credit for updating it in my web design class)

Check it!

:o)

Bicycles in Tanzania

How could I forget to post about the bicycles!?

For it is by far one of the coolest things I got to do in Tanzania!

A few of my friends at my old job emptied their pockets, drawers, and couches for loose change, scrounging together enough money for me to buy 4 bicycles to donate whilst in Tanzania.

Riding a bicycle is by far the most popular mode of transportation in Tanzania, even though they are incredibly expensive for local people. Which is why second-hand markets are very popular and why the locals use what they have until it disintegrates or is tattered beyond recognition. All things considered, bicycles are by far the best way to go: easy to maintain, long-lasting, convenient, non-polluting, and, let's be honest, life-giving for a lot of people. Bicycles allow people to have an income, reliable transportation, and independence.

I decided that donating bicycles to the friends I made in Tanzania would be a practical way to help improve their lives and help them improve the lives of others. For 2 of the bicycles will be used for medical teams traveling in the desert to local bomas (Maasai neighborhoods) that are far from paved roads or even drivable dirt roads. The other 2 will be dolled out as needed, to families or individuals that can benefit from a bicycle. Pretty cool, huh? And such an easy way to help out our friends in Africa!George was my friend who bought the bicycles for me, since he's African and would get the best price.
The bicycles had everything--locking kickstands, pumps, generator lights, and rear racks!
The generators even lit up red rear lights too!
Some of my friends prepping the bicycles.
Phoenix bicycles, made in China, are THE bicycle to have in Tanzania. Now there are 4 more on the roads!