Late at the Museum

"The best things in life are free."
I would say that's debatable, but there are lots of cool things you can do for free in London. One of the best things is that most museums and galleries are free. I love going for a stroll through the National Gallery on a Sunday afternoon. But on the downside, it's usually packed with families and tourists. I went once to the Natural History Museum on a Sunday afternoon and was queuing in the rain for almost 45 minutes. Hence, a better option are the "Late" events.

Every Thursday and Friday until 9pm, you can enjoy art, music, drinks, workshops, and tours at the National Portrait Gallery. I have attended some really interesting tours so far. For example, "Famous executions" where I learnt that Mary, Queen of the Scots was wearing a wig, or "Famous Affairs" where I found out that a lot of the portrayed people were having an affair with a person displayed in the same room.
To find out what's on next Thursday and Friday, visit: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/lateshift/late_shift_home.php

However, I have never managed to attend a drawing workshop at the National Portrait Gallery. Last Friday, though, I went to a fashion workshop at my favourite museum, the V&A. On the last Friday in every month, they have live performances (for example mime artists), cutting-edge fashion (we saw some girls with really crazy make-up), debates, one-off displays and installations, special guests, and of course a bar and food, and some guest DJs. Every month there is also a different theme. This month's was "David Bowie is making a Scene". Making a scene...of course there had to be Paparazzi asking people to strike a pose:

The best part was the fashion workshop, though. Inspired by David Bowie's wardrobe, we created our own outfits. Such a fun and relaxing thing to do on a Friday night and here is the result. Ta-da! 

To find out what's going on next month, check: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/friday-late/

If you are less interested in fashion and famous people, maybe the Lates at the Science Museum is the place to be for you every last Wednesday of the month: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/events/events_for_adults/Lates.aspx
Have a look at what's going on there:

But don't stay overnight at the museum, you know what happened to Ben Stiller...

Smiles on the Underground

This morning I was on the tube. I was standing right at the door. The train stopped and a guy got on and he SMILED at me. That's right. London underground, early morning and someone smiled at me. I got so confused that I kept staring awkwardly at the floor for the rest of my journey.

My English friends always tell me: "Don't stare at people on the tube!" But what else is there to do? Sometimes I don't have a book with me or I just follow an interesting conversation and like to watch the people having this conversation. Plus, there are always so many colourful figures on the train that you have to stare at them. I know it's not polite, but I can't help it..I'm a starer!

But smiling? That's a different level. Especially since it wasn't like a mutual comprehension smile. You know like "Have you seen this super cute puppy over there?" - "Yes, I have." *Smiling*. No, it was more like: "Good morning, I hope you are well." 

It probably would have been less awkward, if I saw him every day getting on at that particular station. Then at some point I would say you can start noticing people and smiling at them. But until then you ignore their existence. He must be new in town!

Weather Talk

It's mid of April now and still wintry in the UK. The other day I tweeted: "I take back everything I said about spring is near. It's snowing again." and had so many retweets and replies as never before. On my flight yesterday the pilot mentioned the rumour that it's supposed to get warmer this weekend and added: "I believe it when I see it!"

Well, the English like to talk about the weather. Dr Samuel Johnson, an English writer of the 18th century, already said 250 years ago:
"It is commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather; they are in haste to tell each other, what each must already know, that it is hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy or calm."
Of course, no one is actually interested in the weather itself. The weather talk is more of a ritual greeting, conversation-starter or default filler. Almost every small talk situation starts with a comment on the weather.

Therefore, I was quite shocked when an American guy from L.A. told me recently that they never talk about the weather. I mean it does make sense, since it's always sunny and warm in California:

But imagine you just met someone and you don't really know what to talk about, you start feeling really awkward because of this ongoing silence, but you don't wanna start a conversation about politics or personal matters either. So, seriously Californian people, how do you strike up a conversation and socially bond?

Becoming British

Yesterday, I actually caught myself humming the British national anthem. Probably because I sang it for the first time ever last week.
It made me wonder, though, what the Brits are going to sing when Prince William (let's face it Prince Charles will never become king) will be king. "God save our gracious King"? If you know the answer to this question and also how they are going to change all pound notes and coins, please let me know.

But I actually wanted to talk about the reason why I sang the British national anthem. My Canadian friend Miranda (name changed by editor) could apply for the British citizenship since she has lived X amount of years in the UK and last week the official ceremony took place.
How exciting, right? That's what I thought and came along.

During the ceremony you have to make an oath of allegiance (or you can make an affirmation if you prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge:

On the UK Border Agency website they say:
"You may wish to practise saying the oath or affirmation, and the pledge, before you attend the ceremony."
It's just one sentence, but it might be particularly difficult, if you don't actually speak English. Why would someone who just becomes British not speak English, you might ask? In fact, I did. Especially after my American friend Sam (name changed by editor, because I'm such a professional) had to leave the country a few weeks ago despite having a job, a flat, and friends here as well as being fluent in English.

I still can't really answer that question, but I guess there are other ways to become British. Miranda met a guy who used to work with her a few years ago. He was there with a lady who used to live next to their workplace. Guess what? They are married now. Guess for how long? 3 years. Ummm, interesting!

So, there are multiple ways of getting to attend this ceremony. After a couple of speeches, where I learnt that being British is "a blessing and a privilege", and the oath and pledge, the newly British citizens received their certificate and their welcome pack which included a commemorative gift (which was a not very exciting looking pen in this particular case). We then sang the national anthem and the participants could take pictures with the local speaker and of course the Queen:

It was an interesting experience and it made me wonder how the ceremony for becoming German might look like. Any suggestions?

Afternoon Tea

My favourite activity at the moment on a lazy Sunday afternoon is having Afternoon Tea. If you are not British, you might think Afternoon Tea is just having a cup of tea and eating a piece of cake. No, no, no! Afternoon Tea is a ceremony, it's like having a picnic indoors.

The ritual of afternoon tea dates back to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. In the early 1800s, it was common to have only two main meals per day - breakfast and dinner. Weakened and irritated by a feeling of hunger each day, the young woman decided to schedule time to take tea and a snack in the afternoon.

What the British understand by "snack" nowadays are tiny sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve (jam), and pastries and cupcakes. It looks and tastes delightful!

I can highly recommend Afternoon Tea at the Tate Modern. It's only £4.75 and you get two scones and a pot of tea. Plus, you can stroll through the Tate before and afterwards. 

If you want a more playful and stylish atmosphere, go to Sketch: http://www.sketch.uk.com/
You can have 3 scones, 2 different jams, and a pot of tea of your choice for only £10.50. Bargain!

If you like it even more playful and stylish and you are a bit of a fashionista, you shouldn't miss out on the Berkeley London designer afternoon tea. Their Prêt-à-Portea (love it!) is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world. The menu is transformed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion. The current Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection sees "designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent and Marc Jacobs grace the Berkeley's tea stand as Prêt-à-Portea adds a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries resembling the latest catwalk designs for the style conscious": http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea/

Carrie Bradshaw would be in heaven!
But what would Mr. Big do meanwhile? Well, he could enjoy the Gentleman's Afternoon Tea at Sanctum Soho Hotel. Head Chef Lisa Sutherland has created a sumptuous Gentleman's Afternoon Tea menu with ingredients such as Poached Oyster, Lamb Hotpot, Seared Steak, Smoked Salmon served with Jack Daniels and a cigar: http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/

Warning: Please don't blame me for inevitable weight gain!

Snow in London - same story as last year

The snow in London has almost completely disappeared, but it still makes me laugh and scream at the same time, when I think about how the English (not) deal with it every single year. It's not like they are taken by surprise. It's January after all and the weather forecast predicted snow, but nevertheless when the cold, white stuff starts covering our soils, public transport seems to be not prepared at all. Why is that, though?

Heathrow spent £36 million on new snowploughs since the 2010 fiasco, but still about 300 flights were cancelled once again due to the snow and also many underground and overground lines were suspended, delayed or reduced. Please don't expect an explanation from me, because I don't have one.

I was also quite surprised that there was hardly any loose gravel, except for Central London. While Berlin is not really a role model when it comes to public transport in the winter, at least as a pedestrian you have a good chance of not slipping and falling. Not so in London, I have heard from several friends that they slipped, because it was very icy everywhere.

But to end on a positive note, it seems like the English get super excited about snow in general and building snowmen in particular. In Greenwich, you could find some very creative snowmen and snowwomen sitting on benches or only enjoying the cold temperatures wrapped up warm:

P.S.: Thanks to my lovely Aussie friend who provided the photo.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word - not!

My sincere apology that you haven't read any new posts in a very long time. I am truly sorry, but I was very busy having a really great time over the holidays.

Back in Germany I always had quite a hard time apologising. Admitting that you were actually wrong and someone else was right? No way! But here in the UK, I apologise for many things, many times a day.

For example, the other day I had afternoon tea with some friends. My delicious piece of carrot cake arrived, but then I realised I didn't have a fork or a spoon to eat it. So, I said to the waiter: " I'm really sorry to bother you again, but would you mind bringing me a fork or a spoon?"
British people seem to apologise in particular when it's not their fault. When someone bumps into you in the street, you say sorry as well. When someone asks you for a cigarette, the correct thing to say here is: "Sorry, but I don't smoke".

Before the Olympics the Guardian released an etiquette guide for Olympics visitors and in there it said:
"British people may seem to apologise a lot, but it doesn't quite mean the same thing here. In the UK, "I'm sorry" actually means either a) I didn't hear you; b) I didn't understand you; or c) I both heard and understood you, and I think you're an idiot."

So, it seems like sorry means a lot of different things. Let's explore.
Brits admit that a third of the time, they don't actually mean it. The Top 5 situations of using the word "sorry" are:

1)  When you don't have time to speak to someone or do something
2)  To apologise on someone else's behalf, such as children, a partner or a colleague
3) When you didn't hear what someone was saying
4) When you want something to be explained to you again
5) When you actually feel the need to apologise for having double-crossed, lied to or let someone down

Maybe Elton John was right after all? 

Royal Baby Hysteria

I have never written about the Royal Family before. Even though there would have been several occasions since I moved to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, such as the Royal Wedding and the Diamond Jubilee. But this Royal Baby Hysteria is so insane that I need to write about it.

Channel 5 will (probably) be the first channel to show a documentary in regards to the baby announcement. It's supposed to air on Tuesday and has been sold already to Germany, Finland, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, France and the US. Yesterday, I saw also a TV Researcher advertising herself for a documentary about hyperemesis gravidarum (the reason why Kate is in the hospital at the moment), because she used to have the same symptoms when she was pregnant. I have also read speculations about where and when Kate has conceived and when Pippa will get pregnant etc. 

But one of the craziest things I read was that manufacturers are already producing Royal Baby Souvenirs, such as mugs which say "A royal baby in 2013". I really don't wanna be in her shoes. Apparently she is less than 12 weeks pregnant and we all know that something could happen quite easily during these first weeks. And I'm pretty sure all this pressure doesn't help either.

Has it really come that far?

LOL and other confusions, err acronyms

Do you remember earlier this year when Rebecca Brooks had to testify at the Leveson Inquiry and she caused amusement by revealing that Mr Cameron signed some of his texts LOL, thinking it meant Lots Of Love, rather than Laugh Out Loud. And then Ed Miliband picked it up:

Well, it seems like David Cameron is not alone here. Many of my English friends say their mums were making the same mistake. Malicious gossip has it that LOL actually means Lack of Language, though.

But while older acronym users get confused about the actual meaning, youngsters use it even literally. If you are a super cool English teenager nowadays you don't laugh anymore instead you just say "Oh, I LOL". Seriously!

On that note:
OMG, FYI am AFK now, because GG, but BBL, BFN!
If you don't know what I'm saying, here is the solution: http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Chat-Acronyms

Portsmouth & Southsea

I spent last weekend in Portsmouth & Southsea and fell in love with the English Seaside.
Of course, you knew already that the Isle of Wight, which is only a short boat ride away, is an island, but did you know that Portsmouth is the United Kingdom's only island city?
It is also well-known for being a naval town. After arriving, I went on a boat tour across the harbour and saw famous ships, including the HMS Warrior and the Tudor carrack Mary Rose. One of the most impressive ships is Lord Nelson's HMS Victory, though:

 

Women were not allowed on a ship 200 years ago anyway, but I can assure you I would have not even lasted 2 days on that ship. It was so low, I could hardly stand upright, they ate in the dark, so they didn't see any maggots (yuck), they washed their clothes in their own err pee, if your leg was hurt they amputated it right on the ship (you can even see the tools a doctor used). 

If you want your own piece of history, go to the antique shop at the Historic Dockyard. You can buy helmets from WW1 and WW2 or a knight's armour or a diving helmet from the last century. It is definitely a collection of curiosities:

On a sunny afternoon, there is nothing better than a stroll along the beachfront. One of the most important landmarks of a seaside town is the Pier, so make sure you pay a visit to the fun fair at Clarence Pier and treat yourself with a rock. For all non-British people that's not a stone, but a candy.

If you still don't believe that Portsmouth is mainly an island, go up to Portsdown Hill and enjoy the view: