Warm Beer, Fried Fish, and a Terrible Exchange Rate

That's right, the one, the only, Arkans is back from his trip. Going to London was perhaps an experience like no other. From the mobs of Arab youths in the well lit Oxford Circus to the mixed bag of wealthy, weird, and drunks of Soho.

It's a long story of what happened, and frankly, I'm not too sure I'm awake enough to go into the full details, but for those interested, I'll do my best and hopefully get my memory card scanner running to post pictures.

Well, let me start with the super long winded post. I'll lose some of you, but for those that stick with it.. Enjoy!

The first night was more or less uneventful. It was spent exploring for places to buy food (and beer) and just the general lay of the land. I didn't learn that much as I didn't have a Subway (Tube) pass, so ended up going back home and tried to sleep.

The next day was more of confusion if anything. I had figured out there that prices are just like prices in America, with one catch, it's all in Pounds, which is great, except the fact that you can safely assume that 1 pound = 2 dollars. That's right, people, it was twice as expensive as everything here.

So, then came figuring out the Tube. Yeah, it's easy, except WTF is up with "Picadilly Line" or "Northern Line", why not just "Blue Line" or "Black Line", would have made it muuuch easier, but who cares? I figured it out no problem with my little map.

But, as far as everything is concerned, I was a bit disappointed with the tourist stuff. I mean, the British Museum was excellent, but everything else? There is so much of the Tudors and Henry VIII's massive codpiece that I could stand. In short? British history was mediocre at best. Sure, the Tower of London was fun (expecially since the mood fit perfectly since the day was dark and rainy), but the real entertainment really was the nightlife.

London doesn't sleep... Well, at least if you like to do more than just go to pubs and are willing to pay a 5 Pound door fee. For some odd reason the pubs love to close at 11 pm. I mean seriously.. WTF? For a country that loves to drink and be merry, they really can't be merry for that long. Though, in that time I was able to hook up with like minded tourists many times.

The first time, I managed to get a hold of a band of Americans who were travelling from Scotland down to London. We decided to group up and head out to find different clubs. I ended up having to carry the girl of the group on my shoulders since she just wouldn't STFU about her hurting feet, so, for about the next day or so my back was thrown out.

There were times were I spoke with Australian bartenderesses, and met up with a group led by a crazed Northern Irishman who was intent on finding himself a good prostitute, (which he did by, the way) which caused the rest of us to wait in some seedy alley while he did his thing. Not only that, but some English guy gave me a cigarette, sure, I quit, but I wasn't going to be a jerk and refuse it so I took it from him and smoked it.

Well, I wish he told me it wasn't tobacco, but it was weed in there, because I stunk up a whole pub and got our whole group thrown out. Regardless, it was a blast. There is so much more that happened, but honestly, writing it all down would take pages and pages, so that's more or less of the encounter I had. Pictures are following soon.

- Arkans

PS: I am VERY glad to be in America. There is no other place I'd ever want to live.

[Showal]

were you all alone initially and scared?

Scared? Not really. Everyone spoke English and British people are ridiculously friendly. Sure, they swallow half the letters of a word when they speak, but they're damn good people. I was scared only one time and that's when the Irishman's band and I wandered into some shady part of town when we were all drunk and lost.

- Arkans

[HarmNone]

Heh. Sounds like quite an adventure, Arkans. Can't wait to see the pics! :up:

First picture of me is at the Changing of the Guard. Was good to see, but very anti-climatic. They looked hot in them huge hats. It's me outside the gate.

The second picture of me is outside Buckingham Palace waiting in line for an VERY overpriced ticket.

Third one has Big Ben in the backround. Whooooo a BIG FUCKING CLOCK! Really though.. it was awesomely decorated! Too bad a double decker bus zoomed by and fucked up my first picture!

Hey look! It's raining and I'm at the Tower of London! I really loved this place, expecially with the damp weather. Too bad the picture with me and one of the Yeoman was way too blurry!

Pictures are being ultra retarded and need to be posted all seperately.

- Arkans

Me outside of Buckingham Palace. waiting for that over priced ticket!

- Arkans

Next up is me at Trafalger Square. Big Ben is in the backround. This is the second shot as the first one got fucked up by a double decker bus!

- Arkans

Me at the Tower of London. The picture with the Yeoman got fucked up and blurry, but the weather was rainy. Perfect for the day.

I hate heights. When I was on top of Westminster Abby, it was clearer than ever by my facial expression!

- Arkans

I swear! I'm not emo in this one! I look upset for some unknown reason, but I'm thrilled to be at the British Museum. That's the Rosetta Stone behind me, by the way!

heh no random drug tests in your unit huh... Ive been randomly selected for the last three weeks now.

It's the Greenwich clock. That's right, I'm at the Prime Meridian. Woooooooooo!

- Arkans

A monument to Peter the Great. I'm a sucker for history.. By the way.. Where can I get one of those midgets that he had next to him?

Oh yeah.. Weird Asian lady wouldn't leave me alone!

- Arkans

And... Stonehendge! It's big, it's old, and it was pretty fun going there. This is about where my camera shit the bed, but I think I'll salvage more pictures later on. Enjoy guys!

Funny part is.. The best of the vacation had no video tapes and they were still a blast. Sooooo much went on!

[Celephais]

You should probably cross your arms more often..

It's me just overcompensating and trying to look manly /cry

- Arkans

[Celephais]

If you're not a Farker you won't get this at all... it'll just look insensitive, otherwise it's pretty funny

[Sean]

Originally posted by Arkans
I hate heights. When I was on top of Westminster Abby, it was clearer than ever by my facial expression!

- Arkans

What facial expression you have the some expression in every photo.

[Celephais]

Originally posted by Tijay

Originally posted by Arkans
I hate heights. When I was on top of Westminster Abby, it was clearer than ever by my facial expression!

- Arkans

What facial expression you have the some expression in every photo.

I couldn't let you click edit and get away with that one.

[Sean]

Pfft, I could just edit your post too... OMG MOD ABUSE.

[Celephais]

Touche

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Wezas
Bangers and mash
Fish and chips
Boiled meat and warm beer.

At least I warned you.

[Asha]

Nice pics.
In one of them it looks like you have an umbrella :lol:
Now that's getting in Brit character.

I'm glad you had a reasonably good time over here, man.
But, as a few of us here said before, there's miles better places than London to our country.
Oh and even I've never seen nearly ALL the landmarks you did.
I thought they'd be shit to see. :)

[Miss X]

Awww, great pics hon. Wheres the one of you by Karl Marx Grave?? You look totally cute too, the Brit chicks will miss you. ;)

I'm really glad to hear you had a fun time. Next time you better come when Im not working so I can show you around the even cooler places! :kiss:

[HarmNone]

Hopefully, Arkans can come back and be shown the sights of Great Britain by those who know them best. There's so much more to that little corner of the world than London. :)

[Kainen]

:) looks like you had a good time.

[Asha]

That's so true Harmnone.

I'm talking beautiful abbeys in the middle of lush forests.
Inns to drink good ales and rest outside while about 100 motorcyclists zoom by.
Rivers, cliffs, forests all entwined in mystery and total breathtaking beauty.
Then there's London.
I hate London. :)

[Leetahkin]

Even though the exchange rate was horrible, would you say the prices were comparable after it?

Such as, a $10 plate of food in the US was 5 pounds there?
Or was the $10 plate 10 pounds.

Oh, and yeah. Exercise those facial muscles once in a while. Your arms crossed in every picture made you look bored.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Arkans
I ended up having to carry the girl of the group on my shoulders since she just wouldn't STFU about her hurting feet, so, for about the next day or so my back was thrown out.


ARKANS SLUMP BUSTER! Hey nice green hat Arkans.



[Edited on 9-1-2005 by Xyelin]

[Back]

Was checking out the pics thinking he should have gotten out of the city and then alone comes Stonehenge! Good job. When I went I jumped the rope and touched one of the stones with my bare hand. A super pissed off park ranger chased me down to tell me its roped off because if everyone went and touched them we might not have them anymore. I”m thinking, these things have been here how long and they are still standing??

That tour took us to Salisbury Cathedral where they keep the Magna Carta which was just as amazing.

[Czeska]

When I go on vacation I usually hit one or 2 touristy things, then just wander.

Of course, I don't think I'd have the nerve to fly across the atlantic alone unless someone was waiting for me on the other side.

Congrats on an amazing experience.

Just for you, Chica.. Workers of the world unite!!

- Arkans

PS: I don't smile because I pretty much look like a child molester

I went by Salisbury Cathedral too. My camera was dead, so I only had a picture of me in the street and that's about it. Anyway, I was a bit disappointed with all the Cathedrals in England. They were really all stripped down and didn't have that awesome Roman Catholic look that they did in France. They were gigantic, but in a way, kind of boring. Seeing the Magna Carta was neat though, that I'll give you.

I'll tell you this though.. Driving in Britain is terrible. They have the most convoluted hiway system in the world with not nearlly enough road signs. Driving in London is a complete nightmare.. Thank God I only did it twice.

- Arkans

PS: I called Chica after a pub/club crawl and she was all like *BRITISH ACCENT* and I was like.. HAHAHAHA

Oh yeah.. As far as the exchange rate.

If it cost $10 here it cost 10 pounds there. Meaning everything was just about double the price... Which SUCKED!

- Arkans

[Back]

Good man. Looks like you did the trip right.

[Leetahkin]

Originally posted by Arkans
Oh yeah.. As far as the exchange rate.

If it cost $10 here it cost 10 pounds there. Meaning everything was just about double the price... Which SUCKED!

- Arkans

Ouch, crap. Guess I need to save twice as much as I had hoped for my London jaunt next year.

[Makkah]

These pictures beg the question:

Are you gay?

rht

PS: But seriously, glad you had a good time.

The warm beer took a while getting used too.. Warm flat beer is more like it.

Fish and chips.. Delicious, thankfully I walked off all the weight while walking.

Boiled meat.. Hrm.. Didn't see it (thankfully) offered.

Feh! I'm not gay!

- Arkans

PS: Thanks

[Edited on 9-1-2005 by Arkans]

[HarmNone]

Thanks for the pics, hon. They sure bring back a lot of fond memories. :)

Glad you enjoyed them! :D

- Arkans

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Arkans
The warm beer took a while getting used too.. Warm flat beer is more like it.

Fish and chips.. Delicious, thankfully I walked off all the weight while walking.

Boiled meat.. Hrm.. Didn't see it (thankfully) offered.

Feh! I'm not gay!

- Arkans

PS: Thanks

[Edited on 9-1-2005 by Arkans]

Of course you're not gay.. you posted a slump buster pic to prove it.

[AnticorRifling]

Why are your arms so small?!


Had fun in London several times. Had fun in Bath. Had fun on some boardwalk. Had fun at a play in London. Had fun at stonehenge. etc.

Replace fun with acts of the carnal nature :cool:


Hope your trip was as good as mine heh.

I had to photoshop my arms so I wouldn't embarass you. Y'know, I think of others and all.

I went to Bath too. It pwned, I put my foot in the water and some angry British guy was like.. OI LAD! DONT DO THAT!

- Arkans

[Terminator X]

Looks like you got a lot of sunshine, which I hear is rare in dem neck of da woods.

It rained only one day. Apparantly I was there during a heat wave. Lucky me.

- Arkans

[Celephais]

They got him to look at the camera for the 2nd picture.

[Sean of the Thread]

MUHAAHAH.

:lol:

I hope you get hit by a truck.

- Arkans

[Sean of the Thread]

Well it's your fault. You didn't give us any I SCORED TEH HAWTIES update. I mean you had a pimp pad an everything. All you did was bitch about carrying around a fat chick.

[Celephais]

He did mention that waitress...except he didn't say she was tipping 300

[Warriorbird]

Seriously awesome pictures (cept the emo ones) and it sounds like you had a great trip. Cool seeing it commemorated. I love travelling.

[DeV]

Glad to see that you had a good time Arkans. Very nice pictures although you are holding the same pose in just about EVERY one of them. Still, looks like you had an effing blast. :rah:

[Celephais]

You should have tried a DeV's Avatar pose.

I am so so sorry...:

[Edited on 9-1-2005 by Celephais]

[DeV]

I'll never look at her the same again...... :(







NOT!!

[4a6c1]

Awesome. Sounds like you had a blast. You shoulda went to ST PAULS CATHEDRAL!! All the pretty shiny roman catholic goodness.

And my CCCP shirt totally pwns your CCCP shirt. All red = much betta. :P

lol @ fatty marshmellow SEXOR pic

[weasel82]

Arkans,

I totally went to London and Bath by myself on Spring Break in '00 and it fuckin' rocked. In fact, I liked it much better than going with people.

I am super glad to hear you had a kick ass time dude. Sounds like you have a memory that will last a lifetime.

Rock on!

I had a ton of drunken pictures taken with a few of the other travellers I found, unfortunately, they are on other cameras (theirs) and those I'm doing crazy things in. I'm trying to get in contact with one guy now and hopefully he sends 'em over.

- Arkans

[AnticorRifling]

<------------------- AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Asha]

Yahahahahah
:rofl:
:lol:

I fucking hate you so bad.

- Arkans

St. Paul's Cathedral was great.. Except it can never ever ever ever match up to anything that I saw at Notre Dame. The Angelican Church really does not like Roman Catholic borque style of art.

- Arkans

PS: I drank too much absinthe just now

[Showal]

Originally posted by Celephais
If you're not a Farker you won't get this at all... it'll just look insensitive, otherwise it's pretty funny

oh man ... that really does look like that picture. so fucked haha.

And Arkans' crossing his arms is not manly. It looks more like what girls do when they think a guy is looking at their chest and they're uncomfortable.

[Warriorbird]

Heh heh heh. The borque style of art! Like the Swedish chef!

You clearly did drink too much absinthe.

Ugh... Well, it's absinthe day +1... That stuff is just weird... Really fucking weird. I don't even remember making that post.. but gah. Everyone needs to try it at least once.

- Arkans

[Asha]

Absinthe rules.
As long as you drink it in moderation and have the real deal.
Amazing stuff.

I got the real stuff for sure.

It's just odd. Not really sure I really like it. The feeling and all. I think I'll stick to the beers. They don't make me feel odd like last night.

- Arkans

[Sean of the Thread]

Never had teh balls to try it.

(which is being a real pussy coming from an alcoholic.)

[Edited on 9-2-2005 by Xyelin]

Bah, gotta try it at least once man. Just for the experience.

- Arkans

[Asha]

What happened to EX-alcoholic, Xyelin. :argue:

[Showal]

I've tried absinthe from Spain. I just felt odd as well all night. I don't know if I liked it, but I'd try it again to be sure.

[Sean of the Thread]

What kind of buzz/high is it? Is it like a hippie lettuce type of high?

[Warriorbird]

Nah. Far more direct than that. It's one of my favorite drinks.

You don't see a green fairy like they did in Eurotrip, that's for sure. You just feel... I dunno.. Odd. Like you are about to start tripping, but you're drunk at the same time, but very coherent. I dunno. Was odd. I still got 2 bottles left. Go wormwood!

- Arkans

[Sean of the Thread]

I don't like that feeling so I prolly won't try it.

[Vitruvian]

Im moving to London to attend Said (Oxford) Business school in March 05. Where is the best place to live, and inexpensive at the same time? Also, I was thinking of purchasing Euro first then going to London and exchanging the Euro for Pounds. Is that just retarded or could it work?

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Vitruvian
Im moving to London to attend Said (Oxford) Business school in March 05. Where is the best place to live, and inexpensive at the same time? Also, I was thinking of purchasing Euro first then going to London and exchanging the Euro for Pounds. Is that just retarded or could it work?

Thought you said you were a real estate and financial genius which led to you becoming very wealthy?

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Vitruvian
Also, I was thinking of purchasing Euro first then going to London and exchanging the Euro for Pounds. Is that just retarded or could it work?If you go to places where you get fair/standard rates of exchange, putting your money through a middle currency would be entirely pointless.

[Warriorbird]

One hopes you are getting your BA.

[Artha]

Also, I was thinking of purchasing Euro first then going to London and exchanging the Euro for Pounds. Is that just retarded or could it work?

100 dollars turns into 80.73 euro which turns into 55.16 pounds
100 dollars turns into 55.16 pounds

No change, just extra hassle for you.

You'll get fucked taking the extra step only due to the fact that places usually charge a fee.

- Arkans

[Vitruvian]

No, Im getting my MBA in Marketing in one year there Im going for the experience and the school. My Mom and brother will be taking care of the company, thanks though Xyellin. And yes, I found out Id lose about 600$ if I tried that retarded scam!

[Warriorbird]

Thusly my BA comment. I figured you'd be getting an MBA from your initial statement.

Anything that means additional exchanges is generally very bad.