First, my room at the Hilton was a bit puzzling. There was a bottle opener built into the vanity next to the shower…for all those of bottles of beer one might drink while trying to maneuver the hand held shower nozzle?

Second, I quickly got used to looking the other way for incoming traffic before crossing the street. 

Third, at the pub for dinner, I forgot British chips meant fries, and that British crisps are chips, when I ordered a sandwich at the pub last night, but was happy to find vinegar to go with the chips at the table. And I was puzzled by the sandwich I ordered, an “aged cheddar and caramelized onion bloomer.” Turns out a bloomer is a type of bread, and the bartender was puzzled when I was asking him what a bloomer was — he kept saying it was a sandwich but since it was in the “sandwich” part of the menu I was confused. Anyway….

Fourth, I’m surprisingly having a hard time with the accents. It’s happened at the pubs, coffee shops, and stores – I need to ask the staff to repeat things. I didn’t have trouble at the office, and can tell the difference between colleagues from the south of England versus the north, but something about the quick and casual conversations have been harder than I expected. 

And finally, the British currency I had saved from 15 years ago is no longer used here…it was worth approx $10 back then and now it turns out is worth a lot more on eBay. I’ve had no cash on hand which is fine.