Ich Bin Londoner....

I can't believe it has been four months... and I have not a single photo of something London-y. Some would call it slack. Others would call it slack. Now its a bit funny when you live in London, cause you forget that there is so much to see and do. Mostly because you are looking down, avoiding tripping over homeless people and landing in merde (Which could belong to them for all i know..).

So when it was time to return the favour and play tour guide to Nadine, i took to it with one thing in mind - Avoid being knifed for my camera.

Portobello rd market was first up. Portobello unlike the rest of London is very WHITE. There are no Ninjas and the only black people here are the ones pushing a bike they just "found". The boltcutter in their backpack was a "present". If i buy both, i'd get a discount. The rest of the people here are European and American tourists. "That's like so awesome" and "czeyswki plakisjzyko muzkistyzwka?" and "That'll be 30 pounds please" is the most commonly heard phrases.

Tower bridge. Here you see Nadine trying what most Londoners have already tried. Stealing this giant ball (why? cause it isn't nailed down).

There was a bollywood movie being shot near by "007 - Chicken Madras with Basmati Rice". Unfortunately they had no need for an Oriental or Inuit. Mega stardom will have to wait.

oh and that's me pondering what are the Colonel's eleven secret herbs and spices? (why? cause i haven't nailed them down!).


Tower of London. Once a Fortress, palace, dungeon and now just a toilet for tourists like us. And the best thing? it's free! and what a view (but not for the poor suckers below us).

Chinatown... not much to say. No live fish in dirty green ranks, but yes there is that familiar deliciously ripe "Chinatown" odour as with any other chinatowns. And yes it is probably from the durians on sale.

Well thats all i did of London so far.

Wilkommen Zum Football..


...or something like it. Started this lightning trip on Wednesday after work jetting into Hamburg at 10pm-ish. My eskimo guide Nadine met me at the airport and we were back at hers in no time. Thanks to a highly efficient bus system. I think it was modelled on the London bus system but with literate bus drivers who could read time.

I was starving when i got in, but Halibut Cheek and Loin of Seal was out of season due to it being summer in the Arctic and all. So Nadine dished out exotic Brot and Wurst which is just as good, well almost.

Game day. Ecuador vs Costa Rica. At the gates for the first time in a long time, i was not manhandled or searched by police or security officials. This time it was Nadine's turn. Obviosuly from the company she kept.

While i was in line i ran into these Parramatta EELS supporters. When i asked them about the shitty season they replied in Spanish "Ole Ole Ole Ole, Ecuador, Ecuador". I think it has something to do with Olive Oil delivered to your door.

Inside the stadium, me and Nadine proved quite popular and these two star-struck fans stopped us and requested a photograph. Who were we to deny them of their good fortune?

Inside the stadium it was packed to the rafters with Ecuadorians and Costa Ricans. By the way Costa Ricans fans should be employed by US Immigration. They stopped all the Mexican Waves. Party poopers.

After the game which was won by an outstanding Ecuadorian outfit, we ended up at the beach. Or as close as i have been to a beach since Thailand. There was sand, and sunchairs, and cushions... cushions??? what the??


So after much sand and sun and drinking sangria, we headed home. An early morning wake up and back to the real world of work. Where I write this... on the man's time. Yeah....