(Susi) The vegetation is very much like Vancouver but without the tall evergreens. The buildings look totally different though, everything is made of brick and very boxy. The closer the train got towards downtown the older and more interesting & elablorate the buildings got. Like taking a trip through a time machine. Here in downtown almost everything around us is 100's of years old! (more on that later).

The people are very friendly, and helpful, when we understand them. We are getting used to the different accents, although confess to often asking people to repeat things. We hope to pick up a nice British twang for use when we get home... :-)

I am amazed at the vast opportunities for consuming a "pint." There is a pub or bar on every corner! There are also lovely little parks every few blocks, often in the most surprising locations. They are oasis of greenery, enclosed by a black wrought iron fence, and filled with paths, ponds, fountains, and flowers. And grass for resting on.

[picture: St.Pancras train station, where we arrived - 2 blocks from our first little "hotel." ]