A Tale of Two Worlds, Part 1

I've left the hustle and bustle of the extraordinary and cosmopolitan London for the glorious mountains that are a part of the natural beauty of Guatemala. As much as I enjoyed London, it just doesn't compare!

First, a wrap up on London is in order before I write about Guatemala:

• The food is fantastic! The variety is amazing to what is in Spain. The food is really fresh. It's surprising how much prepared food there is. Supermarkets/convenience stores/freshly prepared joints are all over the place. People usually go to these places to grab lunch on the go.
• Like other big cities, it can be a lonely place. Thank goodness I had Chris, my friend Ali's ex, and my IESE friends. It made me realize just how tough it is to make new friends in a new place.
• I HATE/LOATHE/DESPISE commuting in the city especially when it is dreadfully hot. The tube does not have AC and it's so crowded. It's a torture chamber really. When I had to go to Tonbridge where the Charity Bank offices are, I had to travel 1.5 hours one way. When I was in the city, it was a 45 minute commute to the office and it was IN the city.
• Everyone knows it's so expensive here but you're still shocked by it! In time, you just have to forget it or else you wouldn't do anything!
• London is surprisingly clean and very posh. All the rich neighborhoods (most of London) have these adorable and very white Victorian houses.
• I had to soake in ALL the culture while I could. How I missed it so! I was lucky enough to see:
• 'Billy Eliot' - It is FANTASTIC! You can only see it in London and it's even better than the movie. It doesn't follow the storyline of the movie exactly. So heartwarming and the dancing is incredible. The Billy Eliot performer is SO talented - ballet, tap dancing...I loved it! 10 stars!
• Bolshoi Ballet at the Royal Opera House. I saw 'The Pharaoh's Daughter' and it was really good! The set, costumes, dancing were incredible!!! I've seen the Bolshoi Ballet a couple of times and it never fails to disappoint! By far, my favorite ballet company.
• 'Fuerzabruta' - Jayne had highly recommended De La Guardia in NYC and it is the same company that produced this show. It's very interesting - performance art. Very visually stimulating.
• The Tate Modern - I really liked the exhibits on furniture...fascinating contemporary art.
• Cardiff, the capital of Wales - skip it.
• Bath - great little town. Beautiful churches, landscape, and Roman baths! Once I free up space on my hard drive I will post pictures.
• I will miss my Pimm's and Lemonade - it's the Sangria of England. It's light and refreshing; a great summer drink. I had it all the time when I was out. Very peculiar - when you ask for Lemonade, you get lemon carbonated water; not real lemonade and not 7-Up or Sprite.
• Primrose Hill - great place to grab a drink and relax with friends. Incredible view of the city.
• The markets! Every neighborhood has one. A HUGE one in Notting Hill called Portabello Market. Lots of everything! What I liked the most is Camden Market in Camden - at first you think it's for punk rockers which it used to be but further up is where the cool stuff is. I bought some really cool stuff there. The food court is a sight for the senses! There are HUGE woks or pans of food that they keep on a slow burn. Yummy!
• Finally, what the hell with live animals on stage?? In Cardiff I saw this terrible flamenco show with 2 white Andulcian horses that spit all over the stage and the dancers danced through it. Ew! Then in the Bolshoi Ballet show, a horse was on stage for 2 minutes and it shit all over the stage. Luckily, it was right before intermission so they could clean up.