the motherland, part II

After tea on Thursday morning we got ourselves together and headed out toward Covent Garden. I had the uncontrollable urge to buy knick knacks and touristy souvenirs and, happy coincidence, the market stalls were still decorated for Christmas -- one of my favorite things about the holiday in London.

It was an overcast, frigid day, and we didn't really last too long out in it. Long enough for me to change out some money at Marks and Sparks, pick up a few fun signs at Covent Garden market (for hanging in my London-themed bathroom loo) and get my promise money withdrawn from my HSBC bank account in what turned out to be a disturbing display of appallingly low security measures. I never produced identification, none of my address details were the same and for Christ's sake, my bank account and sort code were written on a torn-out piece of a crossword puzzle. But the lovely lady at HSBC handed over my 30 pounds, no questions asked. It made me feel all warm and safe and fuzzy, really.

(And of course at this point I have to tell you that while we were in Covent Garden I came across this AMAZING shirt at David and Goliath. I did not buy it because they wanted 12 million pesos for it. But rest assured, my child. One day. It will be mine. Oh yes. It will. Be mine.)

After a brief warm-up at the flat (and the arrival of Sarah's Tesco grocery delivery) we ventured back out, this time to Camden with some very specific items on our list. It was, after all, New Year's Eve. Jenni and I both needed to pick up clutches for the festivities, and Sarah was looking for a black top to go with a pair of fabulous leggings. What we did not anticipate was that everyone is LAME and stores were closing willy nilly left and right, something about it being New Year's Eve or something. RIDICULOUS. We had a good wander through the market stalls, managed to stay strong as we walked through a corridor surrounded by hot steaming buffets of Chinese and Indian food, and finally found ourselves saved by the good people at Aldo. Fifty percent off bin = sexy silver clutch for 10 pounds. LOVE. IT.

We headed back to have a drink and start getting ready to make our 2010 debut. The plan was to head to Monkey Chews, where Sarah works behind the bar. We figured at the very least we'd be able to get in for cheap or free, and we'd hang out there for a while and then maybe see what house parties were happening. What we did not realize is that we would get in for next to nothing and drink for free all night long. And once we did realize it, we didn't leave our spot at the bar (except, of course, to stand in the HEINOUSLY long ladies room queue) until almost 5 in the morning. But more about that next time.

I just love making you wait.






cheers,
elizabeth