This morning started out…….with rain. But I’ve actually come to appreciate the rain. I wore my “British” trench-like coat today complete with the cute buttons and belt, and as I carried my umbrella I felt like I fit right in. Mama Earth smells so wonderful when it rains here, so I really don’t mind.
One of the PhD students, who is from India and whose name I will butcher…(Barritt, maybe?), took me to Tesco, which is the UK (European?) version of Walmart, except it is just a grocery store. They are open 24 hours and have everything. Aside from the strange brands, you wouldn’t know you weren’t in America. Like in America, they have their own brand that is cheaper. They have all the buy 2 for £3 or £1.89 for one deals to encourage up-sale just like we do. We walked there. It is only about 10 minutes from campus. I might go back this weekend and I will be sure to take pictures.
It was interesting to see all the packaged food like we have at home. I guess I don’t know what I was expecting. You can buy things in bulk, and they have all-things-unhealthy-in-a-crinkly-package/I-need-lunch-quick food, too. I guess I won’t lose any weight, after all. I will say that nothing contains artificial flavors here. For lunch I had a tuna, mayo and sweetcorn sandwich on white bread – no onions – and it was decent (see below). I guess they like to keep things simple. Sandwiches and crisps seem to be the popular lunch. I prefer the yogurt. Otherwise, you can go to a cafe in Town Centre and get just about anything you want. They have Mexican, American (McDonalds, TGI Fridays, KFC, Booger King), Thai, Chinese, sushi, Italian, etc. I plan on eating at a restaurant at least once this weekend. I’m on a bit of a food budget and things are really expensive here, well, at least in Guildford, so that’s why I’ve been sticking to the cheap-o campus meal deals. They do the trick, though.
I bought some basics: soy (called soya here) milk and cereal, crisps (potato chips) and of course, sweets. I actually bought more sweets than anything else. But, you know me. Lotsa chocolate. They may not have good food here, but the chocolate is ahhh-mazing. I think I’ll probably have to bring some back with me and of course I’ll get some in Germany next week, too.