My Saturday was spent reading student papers, doing laundry, sorting out my 2011 taxes, and seeing a delightful film. It is raining today—the first serious rain in two and half months. The wind broke my umbrella. Oh well. And, I am behind on edits for Berna. Tomorrow I cannot leave the flat until that is complete.
Let me tell you about Everyman’s Cinema in Hampstead. Part-way down a cobblestone alley, the entrance looks no bigger than an old jewelry store. Climb the stairs in the old building (converted in 1920 to current use as a cinema). On the left is a table with the menus. The cashier shows the seating plan and asks which seat you choose. My ticket was 13 BPS (roughly $19). To her left is a buffet of Indian food or one can be seated and order off the menu.
The seats include either armchairs or small sofas (two seaters) with loose pillows. There are also booths along the side aisle which have a long ottoman for one’s footrest. Near each seat is an ice bucket (in case you order a bottle of wine or champagne). Lest you picture this as elegant, be assured it is rather shabby with the upholstery showing wear and stains. Nonetheless, menu is extensive and the wait staff attentive. The menu included: several mixed cocktails (Cosmo, Mojito, etc), four wines by bottle or glass, five types of tea, expresso, latte, etc. And one could select from the “Deli” items such as three varieties of spreads including different types of olives, hummus, bread OR deserts such as home baked cookies, brownies, carrot cake. And, there were three flavors of ice cream and three types of frozen yogurt. I ordered tea and admit it was a treat to watch a film sipping tea.
The “previews” included a lovely ad for Cartier, one for an airline and one for a shopping center plus two selling alcohol. Then there was a hilarious spoof on TSA which was set in a movie theater with inspectors going through one’s purses and popcorn looking for cell phones (Mo-BILES to Brits) as a reminder to turn off phones.
The film was charming. Highly recommend if it is in the states: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Hilarious, sweet, and uplifting. Cast includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy.
No photos today as I decided to leave camera at home and travel light due to the weather. My students’ midterms required them to analyze two British norms that differ from home. Here are two of their observations which are so true.
1. Paradox of public/private space. In London it is taboo to talk to fellow passengers on the tube. Everyone puts up a shield (newspaper, gameboy, whatever) to avoid making eye contact and conversations are few—and in hushed tones. They do two things on the tube that we find almost astonishing. Girls put on full makeup in little mirrors—foundation, eyelashes, blush, shadow, etc. And, young couples engage in PDA that far exceed anything one would ever witness in public in the states—really get carried away in their bubble of pretend privacy.
2. The Brits do not shake hands. When meeting, they are likely to engage in conversation on touchy subjects like politics BEFORE asking your name. Then, they might ask your name. Standard greeting is, “You alright?” rather than “Hi, how are you.”
We are all starting to get acculturated and adopting those things that prevent us being marked as “tourists.” I found a good used bookstore to pass along my paperbacks and to find some light reading—although today I immersed myself in some heavy academic stuff on critical race theory.
Tomorrow is Mothers’ Day in UK and Monday (March 19th, Feast of St. Joseph) is Fathers’ Day.
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