Better to post this in mid-January than never, right? And since not much happens in the month of January, let's all sit back and reflect on the holiday season that was in full force only a couple of weeks ago. Even though I was far away from the things that usually get me into the Christmas spirit and I came from a city famous for its giant trees and ice skating, I've never been as excited for Christmas as I was in London. Allow me to list my reasons why:
1. Carol O'Clock
This place loves their Christmas carols. Even the tube stations are regularly filled with large groups of people singing Christmas tunes. Apparently it is assumed that one will attend at LEAST one carol service a season which means you go to church and get a booklet with all the words to Christmas carols and sing along with the choir.
I was lucky enough to go to two. The first was at the Southwark Cathedral for a concert with my coworkers. The other was at Royal Albert Hall to see the London Philharmonic with Dave.
Some pics of the Royal Albert Hall concert. We accidentally ended up with box seats, and they let us take wine into them = amazing! Definitely didn't feel classy enough for this.
In addition to these formal carol concerts, there were quite a few impromptu concerts in the office. On an hourly basis, someone in my group would pick a Christmas song on youtube, everyone donned Christmas themed hats, and we'd all bop along with the tune. I think my favorite one I learned from this hourly event was the following, which I'm shocked I'd never heard of before: Fairytale of New York
2. Themed Office Christmas Party
Hands down, best Christmas party I've ever been to. The company rented out an old shelter used during the WWII air raids. Everyone had to dress in 40's outfits, they hired a big band, and had swing dancers teaching people how to dance.
Everyone got really into it. The ladies had a curling iron party in the office. The guys were asking fashion advice. I've never seen people more authentically dressed for a party in my life. Here was a group of us before leaving the office:
Red lipstick was abound. I look incredibly authentic applying mine using my iPhone.
Our dinner was food cooked outside on grills. Lamb may not have been a common purchase with your rations, but it felt authentic when you ate it outside under a bridge.
3. Mulled wine
There isn't really a bar in London that hasn't been selling this stuff from November on. Usually made with red wine, cooked in a crock pot with brandy and mulling spices, it kind of tastes like hot sangria. It goes down way too easily, and hits you before you know it. However, it also keeps you really warm, especially while you are outside at the...
4. Christmas Markets
When Christmas comes around, the south bank of the Thames and Hyde Park are filled with hundreds of small wooden stalls selling a range of things, from hand knitted hats and jewelry to wooden ties and fake snow. Every couple of stalls is some variety of mulled wine being sold: cherry, blueberry, etc. And throughout, you can try one of several types of bratwurst: spicy, cheese-filled, regular.
On top of that, the Hyde Park market has several rides. I never realized it, but going on carnival rides in the middle of winter is a really strange thing -normally, you go on ferris wheels and the Himalaya on the boardwalk or at a summer fair. Also, stuffing yourself with bratwurst and mulled wine is not the normal fare before attempting a ride that spins you around for 5 straight minutes. However I survived.
I had a few experiences at the markets. First, Dave and I went to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, by far the biggest in London. Did we ride the haunted mansion ride while there? Yes we did. Did we stop at 5 of the first 6 mulled wine stands we saw? Yes we did. Later, we met up with one of my coworkers and drank in a beer hall listening and dancing to the Christmas jams.
Next, I went back to Hyde Park with Divya, one of Dave's classmates, while he was away on a ski trip. Once again, lots of mulled wine, but coupled with several rides. I have to pat myself on the back that even after several mulled wines and a bratwurst, I was able to ride the Himalaya with the best of them.
As it will be hard to pry me away from this city for Christmas next year, everyone better get ready to come to me!
1. Carol O'Clock
This place loves their Christmas carols. Even the tube stations are regularly filled with large groups of people singing Christmas tunes. Apparently it is assumed that one will attend at LEAST one carol service a season which means you go to church and get a booklet with all the words to Christmas carols and sing along with the choir.
I was lucky enough to go to two. The first was at the Southwark Cathedral for a concert with my coworkers. The other was at Royal Albert Hall to see the London Philharmonic with Dave.
Some pics of the Royal Albert Hall concert. We accidentally ended up with box seats, and they let us take wine into them = amazing! Definitely didn't feel classy enough for this.
The view from the box:
In addition to these formal carol concerts, there were quite a few impromptu concerts in the office. On an hourly basis, someone in my group would pick a Christmas song on youtube, everyone donned Christmas themed hats, and we'd all bop along with the tune. I think my favorite one I learned from this hourly event was the following, which I'm shocked I'd never heard of before: Fairytale of New York
2. Themed Office Christmas Party
Hands down, best Christmas party I've ever been to. The company rented out an old shelter used during the WWII air raids. Everyone had to dress in 40's outfits, they hired a big band, and had swing dancers teaching people how to dance.
Everyone got really into it. The ladies had a curling iron party in the office. The guys were asking fashion advice. I've never seen people more authentically dressed for a party in my life. Here was a group of us before leaving the office:
When you walked into the "Blitz Ballroom", you were greeted by gruff looking men wearing full WWII gear, surrounded by sandbags that made the place look like it still was being used as a shelter. You were handed a ration booklet that allotted you 5 drinks and a meal.
The room itself was plain, with its checkerboard floor, but that made it all the more authentic. Looking around and seeing all the hair and hats made you feel like you'd stepped into a time machine.
Red lipstick was abound. I look incredibly authentic applying mine using my iPhone.
Our dinner was food cooked outside on grills. Lamb may not have been a common purchase with your rations, but it felt authentic when you ate it outside under a bridge.
After dinner, we went into a back room that had a piano. Anyone could just get up and play. We hung around and sang Christmas carols while drinking our drinks out of mason jars.
A lovely evening with the coworkers and the first time I've ever actually felt like I went back in time...until the band left and DJ started playing Journey. It was fun while it lasted.
3. Mulled wine
There isn't really a bar in London that hasn't been selling this stuff from November on. Usually made with red wine, cooked in a crock pot with brandy and mulling spices, it kind of tastes like hot sangria. It goes down way too easily, and hits you before you know it. However, it also keeps you really warm, especially while you are outside at the...
4. Christmas Markets
When Christmas comes around, the south bank of the Thames and Hyde Park are filled with hundreds of small wooden stalls selling a range of things, from hand knitted hats and jewelry to wooden ties and fake snow. Every couple of stalls is some variety of mulled wine being sold: cherry, blueberry, etc. And throughout, you can try one of several types of bratwurst: spicy, cheese-filled, regular.
On top of that, the Hyde Park market has several rides. I never realized it, but going on carnival rides in the middle of winter is a really strange thing -normally, you go on ferris wheels and the Himalaya on the boardwalk or at a summer fair. Also, stuffing yourself with bratwurst and mulled wine is not the normal fare before attempting a ride that spins you around for 5 straight minutes. However I survived.
I had a few experiences at the markets. First, Dave and I went to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, by far the biggest in London. Did we ride the haunted mansion ride while there? Yes we did. Did we stop at 5 of the first 6 mulled wine stands we saw? Yes we did. Later, we met up with one of my coworkers and drank in a beer hall listening and dancing to the Christmas jams.
Next, I went back to Hyde Park with Divya, one of Dave's classmates, while he was away on a ski trip. Once again, lots of mulled wine, but coupled with several rides. I have to pat myself on the back that even after several mulled wines and a bratwurst, I was able to ride the Himalaya with the best of them.
Here is a view of the Winter Wonderland from afar.
As it will be hard to pry me away from this city for Christmas next year, everyone better get ready to come to me!
What about Palm Coast :(, you didn't have a nice xmass ((((
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