Hello Breeps!
Our Brits in LA Facebook page has seen a flurry of activity this week – so thought it would be fun to share this week’s most popular stories with you.
- The LA Bucket List (4,200 people reached)
Time Out created a must-do list for LA tourists and natives – comprised of 84 experiences. We asked members how many they have done and turns out I’ve done 61… not bad but I want many more! To take the test visit our Facebook page.
- An Eggplant by any other name (3,800 people reached)
BBC America decided to school us on the differences between veggies in the UK and the USA. It really helps to know your scallions from your green onions and your eggplant from your aubergine. And they even used our very own BiLA member Sarah Marafino (left) in the article.
- Tube for Rent (2,500 people reached).
The popular website Thrillist surveyed the prices of renting a one-bedroom flat from one end of London to the other and made a cool new Tube map from the results. The most expensive stops being Hyde Park Corner, where a pied a terre will cost you over £2300 a MONTH. Rounding out the top ten were Knightsbridge, Green Park, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Canon Street, Regent’s Park, Monument and Bank – which you will most certainly need if you want to rent in this most expensive of cities.
At the other end of the spectrum lay Hatton Cross – the down-at-heel town which is the first stop you’ll come to after leaving Heathrow on the Picadilly Line. Here you can pick up a one bedroom for about £324/month. Rouding out the top ten for the fiscally challenged are Redbridge, South Ruislip, Ruislip Gardens, Elm Park, Croxley, Upton Park, Hounslow West, Ruislip Manor and Barkingside.
Perhaps it’s time to update the monopoly board?
- USA VS. UK (2,100 people reached)
American Member Scott Waters decided to share his observations of a recent trip to a small town British town, and caused quite a stir – here’s a few highlights –
I was in England again a few weeks ago, mostly in small towns, but here’s some of what I learned:
- Almost everyone is very polite
- The food is generally outstanding
- There are no guns
- There are too many narrow stairs
- Everything is just a little bit different
- The pubs close too early
- Pubs are not bars, they are community living rooms.
- You’d better like peas, potatoes and sausage
- Refrigerators and washing machines are very small
- Everything is generally older, smaller and shorter
- Harry Potter’s Holiday Dinner
Those visiting the UK this holiday season may want to take a detour to the town of Leavesden, just outside Watford, to take in the Harry Potter Studio Tour. The festive season will see the Hogwarts dining room dressed for the occasion with the original props used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, including flaming Christmas puddings and hams studded with cherries. A wand will be waiting for you at your table and you’ll enjoy the first two courses of a delicious Christmas dinner with all the trimmings on the authentic set (vegetarian option also available).
First featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Great Hall was home to Hogwarts’ famous feasts and the setting for many other memorable scenes such as the Sorting Ceremony in the first film where Harry is placed in Gryffindor house and the arrival of the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
After dinner, you’ll be able to: Explore the Studio Tour, admiring sets such as the Gryffindor common room and the Weasley’s kitchen at The Burrrow, which will also be dressed as they were for winter scenes.
Visitors can also drink Butterbeer in the backlot café and walk up the wizarding shopping street, Diagon Alley, before taking in the breathtaking Hogwarts castle model (covered in a layer of filmmaking snow especially for the festive season).
For more details visit: wbstudiotour.co.uk
But if you can’t make it to the UK …there’s always PANTO! (Oh, yes there is!). Those clever folks at Lythgoe Family Productions are reprising their popular Christmas show, this time it’s Peter Pan & Tinkerbell in A Pirate Christmas at the Pasadena Playhouse. Brits in LA members get a whopping 20% off ticket sales with the code BRITSLA20. Check out pasadenaplayhouse.org for more details.
And finally…Eileen and I are planning our Brits in LA annual Christmas party which should be very exciting – we hope you’ll all join us – as always we are expect to be the first out the gate!!!!
Have a great week.
Cheers!
Craig Young
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