Dear London...

in

Dear London, 

So, we have been here for 10 days, and we're starting to settle into a routine: we've ridden on the subway; we've received post; Ted's got a bank account; I have a U.S. cell number (look at me taking on the local lingo); we've cooked (in a teeny, tiny kitchen that is scarily "large" by Manhattan standards); we're about to do our first load of washing (in the laundry in the basement of our building that looks like it could be the crime scene of a CSI episode).

All in all it looks like we're settling into living in New York well, but the culture shock is still there, hiding in odd places.

We went food shopping yesterday and I stared at eggs for about 5 minutes... which ones do I buy? Why are there so many options for egg consumerism? In the end I found myself blocking someone's way and grabbed the nearest carton... organic and cage free... They sound like the ones I normally buy, but WOAH they're a dollar more then the others. I noticed the local shopper looking at me wondering why I was so intense about eggs... to save face I put them in my basket and left.

And it wasn't just the eggs that proved to be a hurdle in my food shop agility course, it was everything. Each product presented a new dilemma... it was only when I felt fondly attached to the (overpriced) Heinz Baked Beans that I realised how ridiculous I was being...  Yup, it took me that long.

I'll treat you to more on 'settling in', 'moving' and 'New York way of life' stuff in future letters, and in the meantime here is my snap for Fire and Water.

New York, Bethesda Fountain.

Although you said the theme was a cliché, it proved surprisingly difficult to incorporate fire, so I too focused on the water aspect of this week's theme, using a little bit of sun flare as my "fire".

We were strolling through Central Park at about 6.30pm, walked through the arches under the terrace (where a super classy function was happening... just like Gossip Girl! Not sure if that reference is lost on you, but think high society, darling) and I couldn't resist taking a snap of the sun streaming through the trees. I love a good bit of sun flare!

Fire and Water, courtesy of Newcastle!

It's exciting to say, that we inspired an addition to Fire and Water from Newcastle this week, thanks to another friend we left behind, so cheers Ross!

Next week's theme... Bridges!

Well I know that both cities have some pretty exciting bridges so this week I'll be scouting out the best shots I can find in the Big Apple! 

Well, better be off - I've got washing to do in a basement worthy of a detective show.

Happy snapping,

New York.

Smorgasburg... the hub of heavenly nosh!

in

So, after having been here for two days we thought we should ignore our dishevelled, still unpacked Airbnb, get our priorities straight, and do some proper exploring.

We followed our noses and listened to the grumbles in our bellies and found ourselves at... Smorgasburg!!!

First of all I love a bit of wordplay - combining a Swedish meal, Smorgasbord and Williamsburg to create Smorgasburg is a lovely bit of witty genius. Secondly, Smorgasburg is a gastronomical wonder of a market filled with the best food and drink that New York has to offer. I was like a kid in a candy store but much, much worse... I was like a full grown adult with an insatiable appetite, whose parents were across the Atlantic!

The first thing on my mind was Mexican. I've always said how much I love Mexican BUT having lived in the UK all my life there is a good chance I've never had anything but Tex Mex. Here in the U.S. proximity makes it much easier for a slightly more authentic experience. However, when I saw Takumi Taco, a Japanese/Mexican fusion, I had to try it. Although it may not have been authentic Mexican... fusion is totally authentic New York. My chipotle shrimp taco was a little smaller then my belly was ready for (I totally should have gone for the mammoth portion of nachos that I was eyeing up) but it was so so so worth it; a crispy taco, limey, creamy, spicy sauce over super fresh shrimp... what's not to love?

I doubt that any food choices we made would have been anything less then delicious, however, when scoping out our next bite we were keen to get a good'n. We saw a line of about 20 people long for fries and sauce... well if that many people wanted it, it had to be good, right? We decided  to find a line snack to keep us going while we waited for the worlds most awesome chips and that was when I fell in love with Dough. We're talking doughnuts as big as my face! Needless to say, we ate the dulce de leche doughnut, topped with almonds, way before we made it to the line of Home Frite.

In line we were constantly faced with the dilemma of should I stay or should I go? Many didn't have the stomach to make it to the front of the queue but we did. After 10 minutes of queuing (in a way that would make the Brits proud) we made it to the front and I was the proud owner of hand cut fries, tossed in black truffle oil, parmesan cheese and fresh herbs and served with a side of lemon garlic aioli. Let's just say, I ate with un-ladylike vigour that was swiftly followed by a substantial desire to slip into a food coma... but on we bravely went to find ourselves some refreshing bevvies!

On our stroll back to the subway we found ourselves drawn to the Rosarito Fish Shack to refresh our taste buds with some spicy micheladas, a kind of Mexican Bloody Mary type concoction. SO GOOD!

If you ever find yourselves in New York, you should definitely make some time for Smorgasburg. Everyone's got to eat so why not do it with an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline and an abundance of delicious options?!

Takumi Taco

Home Frite

Dear New York...

in

Dear New York (that’s right, that’s your name now),

So you finally made the move! I can’t imagine how mixed your emotions must be right now - possibly a lot of fear mixed with excitement. But probably just a whole lot of jetlag at this point.

Since I am still living in sunny (I know, right?!) England, I see it as my job to remind you of what you are missing here (since you and Ted abandoned me in the UK and I get petty when I’m jealous).

Will aka. London

My aim is to write you a letter - and hopefully get a response - every other week, with a challenge. We need to take a beautiful photo of the relative cities which we call home, to make the other person as jealous as possible. 

We will have a theme challenge, and take photos accordingly each week.

So! To begin!

This weekend me and my amazing girlfriend took advantage of the sunny anomaly that is currently the weather and went on a gorgeous walk along the canal. The trees were all in blossom, the ducks were out in force and clouds were far and few between. We also had The First Barbecue of the Summer (a momentous event that should be recorded every year). Nothing burned and the food was delicious. I made an apple and blackberry crumble, but forgot to put any apple in it (maybe I’ll put the recipe somewhere).

With all that rattling in my mind when hunting for inspiration -  I have found our first photo theme for the month - Fire and Water

There is nothing like a vague cliche to begin a themed photo project.

I’ll write again soon!

London