There is no U in color!

Well, we have eclipsed the 5 week portion of our trip to jolly-ole England. To say things are different here is definitely an understatement. I think the lack of health food and various department stores has been the biggest shock for me, although I seem to be staying alive quite well.

English 'mis'spellings so far:

- colour
- favourite
- organise (really looks weird, I know)

I was walking through the ASDA (imagine a Wal-Mart, and then make it smaller) and I found some really strange foods. First of all, things here are simply called different things than in the US. I was trying to find zucchini to make with dinner, and I was having a hard time finding them in the supermarket. The reason being, they don't call them zucchini - they call them courgettes. So, I find myself not looking at signs anymore in the grocery store, but simply looking for food in every aisle. I took a picture of a few of the weirdest foods I encountered, plus a picture of one of the largest beer cans I believe I have ever seen.

Now, this picture is of 'Prawn Cocktail' flavored potato chips. I am told that they are 'brilliant', but I think I'm too 'brilliant' to ever find out if that is true.

I have heard of malted milk balls, malt liquor, but malted wheaties? I know this picture is fuzzy (sorry, I was in the supermarket taking pictures trying not to look like a terrorist), but you get the idea.

And the largest beer can I could find. For those keeping score on this one - the can on the right is a 24 oz can. WOW! Alcoholics everywhere are cheering.

Everyone always asks me what it is like over here. It is a lot different than the US. First of all, everyone over here walks slower. People take the time to say hello and ask you how you are doing. They usually take a full hour for lunch, and dinner is usually an entire evening event. For the most part, productivity is lower - but they seem happy. I don't think I could stress out a British person. I think they must have lower blood pressure than the Americans. I know that there is a lot more emphasis put on actually learning something than simply getting a grade. Being over here has given me a new perspective on grading systems. Because, they really don't have one over here. I mean, you have marks (grades), but they don't matter in the 'American' way of thinking of them. There is no average, no GPA, no class rank, no honors system. You either do or do not - there is no try. Yoda was British, wow.

Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed our little jaunt into my mind this evening. I am venturing out of Manchester this weekend for the day to attend the British Nationals Brass Band Competition. I am going to see the best brass bands in the world this weekend, but I hope to make it back in one piece. Because, the group of us that are going - there is one Englishman, 3 Americans, and a guy from Taiwan who doesn't speak English so 'good.' Take care, more info when I get back!