tea + crumpets

probably time that i introduce to you the infamous tradition of English Tea and Crumpets. I'm not really quite sure the more "correct" ways of experiencing this, but i have just a few little tales.

i must say, to my surprise (and surely yours), that i am very taken by this whole tea-drinking thing. Its good! I never really liked teas when i had them in the states, but here, well, i guess they must just be better. (And the British will attest to this strongly - they despise what we call "tea" in the states) I like mine with just a bit of milk, no sugar. however, i always have to wait a bit longer than other people to drink it, because for some reason i burn my tongue much easier.

every two steps on the sidewalk is a place to get tea and coffee. They say "take away" instead of "to go" and when you want tea with milk, you just say "white tea". It is cheap too (at most places anyway.)

today, a bizarre thing happened to me. i stopped in a cafe near my studio to grab a cup, and discovered before paying that i didn't have any cash. i asked if i could pay with my credit card, but was not surprised that they did not have a credit machine, and then said my apologies and that i would just go without. then i was amazed. the baristaman (what are they called?) asked me if i worked in the area, and after i replied, yes, i go to school just down the street, he said this: ok, just come in and pay later or tomorrow sometime. i was dumbfounded. and pleased. how kind! perhaps maybe it is just a strategy to get me to return to the shop as a regular customer, but i like to think of it more simply, that there is still to be found in a neighborhood some level of trust!

and finally, about crumpets. i have not had one yet, nor have i even seen one in real life. but a new friend of mine said this: "crumpets are better than sex."

i will leave that to all of you to ponder.