Is It Better or Is It Worse?

While catapulting into another culture could potentially be frightening, I have decided to take a journalistic approach, one of discovery! I will admit there are a few things that leave me scratching my head, but having the right attitude creates intrigue rather than homesickness. Here is a blog dedicated to the celebration of new findings. Check out the wonderful adjustments our family has made over the last two weeks!

Washing Clothes While Baking Bread

You might think by the title that washing clothes and cooking at the same time is not an oddity until you find out where the washing machine is located. It's in the KITCHEN! It's small and fits a days worth of the family's laundry in it at a time and can take up to 3 hours to do a single load. There is no need to move the clothes out of the washer, just start up the dryer next. That's right; British front loaders double as dryers, except it will take the rest of the day to dry that same load. That is why most people hang their clothes outside to dry...ALL YEAR LONG! If you aren't familiar with the local weather, it rains most days so you can see the problem that might occur with hanging your wet laundry to dry. Since most homes don't come complete with dryer hook-ups, a new machine came to life, the condenser dryer. It works like any other U.S. made dryer, but collects the condensation in a bin underneath the machine which requires dumping after each load. We were saved from the great flood in our kitchen when our friend happened to mention the reservoir in passing one day while visiting, "Don't forget to empty the water in your dryer after each load"! Say what??????

You Can Take that to the Bank

As I have said before in my previous blog, honesty is the basis for everything around here, especially transactions. People freely give out their bank information like candy in England. To buy a car, we exchanged sort codes, which are essentially U.S. routing numbers, along with account numbers and the business/bank exchange money. As for utilities, you simply give out your personal information, the utility agent posts a complimentary "bill" of approximate monthly charges accrued in your account, and then they help themselves to your piggy bank. It's madness! 

Money, Money, Money by the Pound

The exchange rate for the American dollar vs. the British Pound is currently $1.30, meaning the pound carries more worth than the U.S. dollar. You have to be careful when you see a price and think oh that's so cheap! That extra 30 cents will sneak up on you very quickly. You have to be careful of the VAT, too. It is similar to a sales tax and applies to many goods. It comes in at a heart-stopping 20%. 

Taxes are everywhere in this country. Who knew owning a TV would get you a tax! Yes, to watch local telly, you must pay 145.50 pounds/year for a license, unless you own more than 15 devices, then you have to pay a little bit more per each 5 units in addition to the 15. I don't know which household that would apply to except the old woman who lived in a shoe! There are ways to catch a break from this hefty tax though. You can be blind...that will get you half off, and for your 75th birthday, you get the telly for free. Hehe. 

To own a car and use it are two different things. If you wish to drive on any roads in England, you will be subject to the "Road Tax" and it's a ghastly one at that! Especially if you're driving an American muscle car; the bigger the engine, emissions output, or fuel type, the larger the charge! Our measly little Audi A6 cost us a whopping 295 pounds renewed annually! It is about on par with the licensing fee in America, which brings up my next point. Every car ever built is registered with a license plate that stays with that car throughout its lifetime. When Aaron and I purchased our vehicle, we were surprised to find out that we didn't need to track down a DMV, the plate was part of the package! Since our car is older than 3 years and the plates don't display the initials GB, if we wish to take it off the island, we are required to buy a large GB emblem that sits on our back window alerting others where our car originates. Perhaps we should purchase a big, fat American sticker as well to let others know we have no idea what we're doing! 

It just tickles me how in America, we want the biggest and loudest of everything while our brothers in Europe stand by their teensy-weensy motor cars. You best have a teensy-weensy too if you plan on getting anywhere without taking out oncoming traffic. As if you thought driving on the left side of the road were challenging enough, did I mention you will have to share a good portion of that road as well. CURB CHECK! I have to admit those first few days of driving, I caught myself either holding my breath awaiting impact or dodging my head to the right to avoid hitting the hedges which line every route. It doesn't help that the national speed limits apply to most roads coming in at 60 mph for a two way carriageway (highway) and 70 mph on a divided motorway (interstate). I just don't know if I will ever be comfortable coming up on another vehicle breaching 60 with no runaway paths off to the side. Perhaps I should start saving now for new side mirrors.

Here is a picture of me and my kids when they found out mum (mom) was driving:

Lorries (Semi-trucks) are the tallest and slowest beasts on the motorway, which reminds me...if you try to overtake (pass) a lorry on the left, you will be ticketed. Overtaking cars is only permitted on the right unless traffic is queueing or else a weighty fine awaits you in the mail. Don't be looking for a traffic cop to pull you over though; the endless roadside cameras do the policing for you. Speeding is a serious offense in the UK and each 5 mph violation over the limit will cost you 100 quid and a nasty 3 points off your license. Don't worry though, you are alerted by every speed camera by your beeping GPS and road signs giving you fair warning. It's the British version of a radar detector I suppose!

Although you have to appreciate their stalwart rules on highway safety such as absolutely no use of cell phones by the driver in the car even if the keys are simply just in the ignition, but the sole source of entertainment...the CD player...is located inside the glove box! You best have a trusty co-pilot with your same taste in music if you wish to rock out to your favorite jams!

Cars Aren't the Only Minis

We went hunting for new car seats for the kids since our American ones are deemed illegal abroad, and we found ourselves in the British version of Wal-Mart called Tesco. It also doubles as a grocery store containing rows upon rows of unique British cuisine and features many American favorites as well. At first glance, you might think that Tesco will be a money saver over the commissary as their prices appear to be indeed less, but you got to watch out for serving sizes. Most goods come in miniature versions. Not only are the washing machines petite, but so are the refrigerators.

Milk comes in liters and spices come with 10 servings per bottle. If I were a keebler elf, by golly, I would be in business!

We came up short on car seats, but found a few treasures along the way! Rows and rows of pies, chocolates, and digestive biscuits (cookies) for our delight. We had heard several times before making the move that English chocolate is second to none. We pestered a local shopper for some guidance on what treats were the must haves of all the candy aisle. Ironically, she lead us to a simple Cadbury dairy milk bar. I felt a little disappointed at first and told her, "Oh, really? That's it. I've had Cadbury before." She protested that English Cadbury was different from American Cadbury. Since it is so cold here, they don't worry about the chocolate melting so there are no additional additives to preserve the sugary treat. I put my tastebuds to the test, and let me put it this way, Aaron had to tell me to come up for air! The English Cadbury is indeed second to none!

Recycling is everything in the UK. At checkout, we were surprised to find that we had to pay extra for our plastic bags. The cashier told us it was in our best interest to buy some reusable carriers that are replaceable by the store if they ever falter or wear out. She also told us for an additional 4 pounds/month we could shop online and have our groceries delivered directly to our home during the hour and day of our choosing. I think this is a trend that needs to catch on in America. Perhaps the grocery aisles would forever be rid of my rabid little toddlers insisting to strip down to their knickers in the middle of the produce section. I'm just saying...

Politics

American news is a popular item reported on in Great Britain provided by the legendary BBC. The presidential campaign for one is something heavily televised. There is certainly an undertone that suggests their desire to see Hillary Clinton take office, but for the most part they give forth factual information and stray away from "opinion news". However, their coverage certainly has undergone a filtering system which is why I suggest their rally behind the democratic nominee. For example, after Hillary Clinton fell ill and fainted in public, they gave extra exposure and reassurance from her camp suggesting Clinton's well-being and ability to take office. In other news, Trump is deemed overweight for his age. 

The reason I find an assumed Pro-Clinton position ironic is the political stance of the leader and Prime Minister, Theresa May. Her position on the refugee crisis is very similar to that of Donald Trump. She calls for western leadership, primarily President Obama, to get in line and follow the "British approach" which is one of assistance at the source. She demands the country send money and aid to refugees located in Syria rather than bringing them in by the bus loads. She boldly notes, "safety of country first". She, too, feels no way of assuredly vetting refugees and does not wish to take in another civilization under the guise of refugee protection when truly the endgame is a better lifestyle and free healthcare/benefits through the NHS. 

The Syrian refugee crisis and Alepo are indeed a hot topic around these parts and rightly so. I think any rational human being hopes a solution is somewhere in sight. Although the "British approach" is one of sympathy, May doesn't feel inclined in the slightest to take in Syrians originally accepted by other host countries. There is quite a bit of pressure directed at Britain primarily from France urging them, regardless of their withdrawal from the EU, to do their part in the migrant conflict and absorb the refugee camp at Cailas by opening up their borders. Enter Brexit...

Brexit

Aaron and I were under the assumption that Britain's timely exit from the EU had greatly to do with the refugee crisis alone, but taking to the streets and inquiring of the locals, we have found a different attitude entirely. Since the vote was so close to 50/50, our findings were representative of just that. Those that wish to exit the motherland strongly feel so due to the tired belief of carrying the rest of the EU on their shoulders. I didn't realize that Brits paid taxes to fix roads in other countries among other forms of support. You might think that is an ideal system except other countries have lived in poverty for decades and haven't put forth the same saving efforts for Great Britain.

When speaking to citizens that fully believe Brexit to be a grave mistake, it is a voice of fear, fear of the unknown and a preference of unity. They believe there is strength in numbers and rely on the motto "all in this together". Many have never known life outside of the EU, and they don't feel a clear pathway for exiting was ever laid out for them. Since it's never been done before, the confidence in their leadership's ability to successfully proceed is indeed lacking. As the Brexit conversations among political advisors continue, there is definitely a heightened anxiety among everyone else in the wings!

Unexpected Surprises

My closest of friends and kin know that Halloween is my favorite holiday followed closely by Christmas with Thanksgiving just barely lagging behind. Obviously Thanksgiving is not a recognized holiday in the UK, but I was heartbroken to discover neither was Halloween. I am happy to report though that one of those is catching fire! Yes, that's right. Americans have infected the British with the love of ghosts and goblins. Several stores are decked out in pumpkins, witches, and Halloween magic! I am delighted to inform that approximately 1/5 houses celebrate Halloween and mark their doorsteps with notable decor inviting the dressed up trick-or-treater to knock and squeal for a treat! To say my heart is elated would be a significant understatement. I am a mom that starts dreaming up her family's costumes on November 1st! 

However, the take on Halloween is different in these parts of the world. The scarier the costume, the better! They adore skeletons, witches, blood, and gore. I'm not sure what they would think of all the Elsas and storm troopers running around America, but I'm certain heads will turn when they see AJ in his "Nacho Libre" costume complete with sidekick "Esqueleto"(Paisley).

Even though Halloween is catching on, there is still a strong distaste present among the country. When I asked the base librarian her thoughts on the festivities, I was alarmingly met with a "sod off! I hate the bloody holiday! I won't have any sods coming to my door begging for candy." Our housekeeper, the mum of a 9 year old, feels differently though. She loves the merriments associated with October 31st and hopes it grabs hold of more hearts this year! 

Fun New Foods

Our family got our first taste of Pub food last week at the Hungry Horse in Bicester. Aaron and I decided to go out on a limb and try some classic British entrées; when in Rome! Aaron dined on the renowned Yorkshire Pudding which isn't a pudding at all. It is a fried bread filled to the brim with mashed potatoes, bangers (sausages), and peas. To his surprise, the sausages were sweet more than savory. 

I enjoyed the classic British Beef with Ale Pie. Meat is often served within a form of pastry or a crust of some sort and presented as a pie. One thing I have discovered while dining out is the meat:fat ratio is much higher abroad while the seasoning:taste ratio is undeniably lacking. I think the British rely on the fat to flavor the meat as opposed to spices. Not my "cup of tea", but not entirely unenjoyable. The peas are different, too. They almost have a bite to them; a need for 3 more minutes in the cooker. 

We have enjoyed an assortment of other traditional delicacies since our arrival. "Squash" and "Cordial" are a big thing! They are fruity flavors added to water to punch up the flavor. They aren't sweet or overpowering, but nice all the same. 

We also discovered "Bake Wells", tiny bite-size pies with loads of flavor. I believe a few of those will be making their way into my online shopping cart ASAP. If not for their cuteness alone then for their refreshing addition to any dinner. 

I have no doubt I am sure to find more unique lifestyle adjustments the longer we occupy our little piece of heaven in Oxford, but it begs the question: Is their way better or is it worse? Perhaps it is just different...and different is good!

Next week I will revert back to our travel log and catch you up on what the kids and I have been up to in our last few weeks of "summer" as they wind down.

Embrace the new around you,
~K