It was incumbent upon me to conduct thorough research with regard to cultural differences between Britain and my home country. That could only mean one thing. Pub crawl.
My Favorite Pubs in London (and One Coffeehouse)
The Five Things I Adjust to in London
Being an academic is great if you don't mind holes in your sweaters, a monthly budget that is roughly what your wealthier friends spend on hair appointments, and awkward conversations. (We're not known for our social graces.) One truly excellent perk of academia, though, is the travel. Because of my field, I get to go... Continue Reading →
Portobello Road Warrior
Like many Americans, I gleaned my early knowledge of London from My Fair Lady and a smattering of Disney movies, so thanks largely to Bedknobs and Broomsticks, I had always imagined Portobello Road as a sort of semi-roofed, soot-covered, darkened maze of alleyways. Â Which of course has very little to do with the actual Portobello... Continue Reading →
Notting Hillbilly
Like most things in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the flat I let in Notting Hill for a summer's worth of research was expensive, beautiful, modern, elegant, and way out of my league. I had to consult the internet before using anything, from the washing machine (Google) to the vacuum (YouTube). But the most complicated things I ever attempted in the flat were sleeping and showering.
Tesco, My Favorite London Monument
What's your favorite London monument?  Big Ben?  Westminster Abbey?  The Tower? Buckingham Palace? Mine's Tesco. Tesco sets my pulse racing.  (Yes, I'm serious.)  My first summer in London, I had the good fortune to be a stone's throw from the gargantuan Tesco on Cromwell Road.  It was my first stop after unpacking, which took about thirty seconds... Continue Reading →
The Smartest Place on Earth
If there's a rule in Albania, it's this: adapt and survive. Tourists are expected to do the same.
There’s Coffee, and Then There’s Coffee
From the beginning, Albania flummoxed me. It also had my heart before my flight from Florence ever touched down in Tirana. How? Simple. Coffee.
The Death of the Cool
Is it just me, or is it not cool to be a tourist anymore?
The Notting Hillbilly 