You mentioned missing that people say 'hello' in the streets. Whenever I walk into town I glance at peoples' faces to see if they are looking so that if they are I make sure I give them some sort of acknowledgement. Most of the time I can tell they have just looked at me but turned away (I think they look from more of a distance to see if they know me). Now, that's an interesting study of human nature, the difference between "I'll say hello because I know you" versus "I'll say hello because I acknowledge you."
Ah, but once I get into town, it's a whole different story! Because I deal with the shop vendors on a more personal level, and not just in passing, you can't shut them up! Sometimes when I don't want to reveal my accent I just grunt my response (sometimes I DO feel like people point at the 'token' American in this little town).
But, the nicest thing of all is when you are known and people go out of their way to say hello. The friendliest, huggiest people you'd ever want to meet. It's a small town here...and it's quickly accepting me as one of their own. That's a really nice feeling.
This is starting my 5th year in England and I'm getting to a levelling-off stage. I've managed to stop thinking about a lot of food products on a day-to-day basis. Getting by with some of my cravings by making them myself. (I made the most extraordinary buttermilk blueberry pancakes yesterday...yes, I found buttermilk! and I used Bisquick, easily available here, and I used the Log Cabin syrup I brought back from the States, and the blueberries are
gorgeous in this country. I am also making Mexican food items that, with experimentation, just may rival that which comes out of a restaurant. A
lot of experimentation.
)
Brighton really sounds like a fun place. I'm fairly sure I'll be visiting this summer.
