Texans In The UK....

Yeah the mexican food thing is going to be tough.  I love me some homemade corn tortillas, even flour  Oh and my salsa verde..and fajitas from the local michoachana...not the ones from the restuarants.  

But I will make due, figure it out somehow. I am sure I will love London, I am pretty handy in the kitchen so I should be ok.  As far as the weather..I am not a big fan of the heat either.  But I love some sunshine, and tanning by the pool.  Alan said there are very few, if any outdoor pools, cause its typically not warm enough.  

Side question, im going in two weeks to visit..how should I dress?  Warm, jacket?  What? lol

Even though the weather is very different from the heat of Texas, actually it hasn't been too horrible a summer in the London region. It's not been as rainy, gloomy, and cloudy as relentlessly as I remember the 1980s being. I've quite enjoyed this particular summer and found many days to be lovely and sunny and comfortably warmish. What with global warming etc, London is not as constantly cold and clouded over as it was even twenty years ago when I last lived here. It will never have as many sunny days as Texas per year, but it's not as bad as it used to be, from what I've seen in the past two summers.

Brits love to complain about the "horrible weather", but truly since I've been back just over a year now, I've been pleasantly surprised at really how bearable and relatively sunny last year and this year's summers have been at least in my particular region, can't speak for other parts of the country.

What to wear in two weeks -- well it's still still pretty unpredictable particularly as summer ends. So it could either be an indian summer or a cold snap in two weeks time. Best to bring layers, jackets, light sweaters, things you can remove and pare down to a light top if its a warmish day, or pile on tow warm up if it's cooler.

Coming from Texas, you might find that you feel chilly even while the native Londoners around you think it's a "warm" day and are still wearing summer clothing -- I've found that a lot. On an evening in May that Uk people thought was "warm" and were in sleeveless garments for, I was wearing my leather jacket and a scarf, because I felt cold!

So bring layers to have options. You probably won't need heavy sweaters or coats in two weeks from now, I'm guessing, but light stuff to layer is your best bet. The days will be changeable but the evenings could be chilly for you.

Ok layers it is!!!  I get cold pretty easily so thats some good information Midnight.  I am very excited for my trip, this will be my first visit overseas. Another question, has anyone found it difficult to convert to the metric system, after having the US system in your head for so long?  I feel like I have to constantly to conversion charts in my head 

Especially when he we get to talking about weather, distance, and weight lol.  Its going to take awhile to turn off my american brain so to speak.   

Here's an opposite experience - a Brit in Texas. I worked in Houston for a year some time ago and here are some of my memorable moments from Texans:
 - 'Oh yes, I know England - it's a part of Germany, right?'
 - 'Joined onto Australia?'
 - 'Oh you are from England - maybe you know my uncle's cousin's friend'
 - 'I don't understand you Maaaaam. I need someone who speaks English'.

and - best of all - REALLY:

'You know that old moon we'all have here? Well, do y'all have the same moon over there or do y'all have a different one?'

Here's an opposite experience - a Brit in Texas. I worked in Houston for a year some time ago and here are some of my memorable moments from Texans:
 - 'Oh yes, I know England - it's a part of Germany, right?'
 - 'Joined onto Australia?'
 - 'Oh you are from England - maybe you know my uncle's cousin's friend'
 - 'I don't understand you Maaaaam. I need someone who speaks English'.

and - best of all - REALLY:

'You know that old moon we'all have here? Well, do y'all have the same moon over there or do y'all have a different one?'

Oh my goodness!  I can't believe the ignorant people you came into contact with, lol! But that doesnt suprise me, there are silly people all over the place.  Good funny information though, sometimes people are just dont use the brains they were given.   

I'm also a Texan (lived in both San Antonio and Dallas area over 10 years each) living in the UK.

After the honeymoon period, you'll want to have something a little Texan.
The Texas embassy is a ok place to try out. This is the actual place where the original TX embassy was before we joined America. It's been converted to a tex-mex restaurant and even tough it's not the same, it will tide you over if you are really craving something a little like home.
Check out the website.
newcomer link: http://www.texasembassy.com/ [nonactive]

They even have espn america and show American football games. I was there last weekend and got to see a little college football. 

I had some margaritas, chips and salsa and enchiladas.
They even have lone star beer.

I'm a Texan in the UK, too, from Houston.  Can't contribute to the Mexican food discussion though since I don't like Mexican food at all other than the odd fajita (I know, I know...bad Texan!)

No one ever believes I'm from Texas though, since I have the standard American newsreader accent and not a regional one.  People find it hard to grasp that most people who grow up in Houston don't have a southern accent, hehe.

Here's an opposite experience - a Brit in Texas. I worked in Houston for a year some time ago and here are some of my memorable moments from Texans:
 - 'Oh yes, I know England - it's a part of Germany, right?'
 - 'Joined onto Australia?'
 - 'Oh you are from England - maybe you know my uncle's cousin's friend'
 - 'I don't understand you Maaaaam. I need someone who speaks English'.

and - best of all - REALLY:

'You know that old moon we'all have here? Well, do y'all have the same moon over there or do y'all have a different one?'

As another Brit in Texas, I have some of those!

"The UK? Like, in Russia?"

"Ah, London!" followed by comments that clearly indicate they believe London is actually the name of the entire nation....

"Do you know / are you related to Paul McCartney?/the Queen? (name any other Brit here)"
Yes. Yes I am. Because it's sooo tiny and there are soooo few of us that we are all related intimately. Cousin Paul loaned me a few million quid just the other day, in fact.

I used to live near Addison (Preston and George Bush) and worked at Houston's and Chamberlain's Fish Market Grill there for a while. I don't miss the weather in Dallas at all, to be honest, I always hated the too hot summers and the lack of true seasons there. I'm sure you will have a great time in London!

Ha! I currently live on Preston and Arapaho. Small world I'm still working out my visa to go to the UK--London to be exact. If all goes well I'll be there at the end of the month.

Though Texas weather is notoriously brutal--rightfully so, especially with this past summer--I believe that most people who have spent a good amount of time here do miss it to a certain degree. When I moved to DC, April and late March were strange to me because I was expecting summer weather to begin.

As Midnight blue said, layer it up. Bring lots of light layers.

Also, in my quest to move to London, I have come across these websites that I would love to share:

http://www.moving2london.com/ Free videos about packing to London, getting a bank account, transportation, getting a job, etc. Though geared towards Aussies, the information is universal
http://www.citywoop.com/ I found this website good for just getting an idea and an image of different London areas.

Ha! I currently live on Preston and Arapaho. Small world I'm still working out my visa to go to the UK--London to be exact. If all goes well I'll be there at the end of the month.

Though Texas weather is notoriously brutal--rightfully so, especially with this past summer--I believe that most people who have spent a good amount of time here do miss it to a certain degree. When I moved to DC, April and late March were strange to me because I was expecting summer weather to begin.

As Midnight blue said, layer it up. Bring lots of light layers.

Also, in my quest to move to London, I have come across these websites that I would love to share:

http://www.moving2london.com/ Free videos about packing to London, getting a bank account, transportation, getting a job, etc. Though geared towards Aussies, the information is universal
http://www.citywoop.com/ I found this website good for just getting an idea and an image of different London areas.

Wow you live ridiculously close to me Rynn!  I currently live off George Bush & Dallas North Tollway.  I am also awaiting my submission of the fiance visa, currently just getting the paperwork aspect together.  What a small world this is! I will also be moving over hopefully in late November to London. 

"Ah, London!" followed by comments that clearly indicate they believe London is actually the name of the entire nation....

That's the one that floors me.  We're in Austin now, and my husband will tell people he's from England and they immediately say: "Oh, London is great, I love it.  etc.etc..." It's like the rest of England doesn't exist.

Even more amusing are the ones that ask, where in England are you from?  Then he says, Staffordshire.  They look at him blankly and he says "somewhere in the middle".

Although I must confess that there are a lot of well-traveled Texans who do know what they're talking about!

Yee haw, another Dallasite here - I graduated from BTWHSPVA .  Of course, that meant that moving to the 'real' Bedford meant I giggled and thought of the airport...

I actually have never gotten hit with any silly Texas stereotypes (outside of my father-in-law asking about the JFK assassination! :s), but then, the fact I've spoken with a supposed British syntax my entire life means people here think that I'm either from Canada (?!!!?!), or that I lived in the States long enough to pick up an accent.

As for Mexican food.. cilantro is coriander!  I did NOT figure that out for a good year.  Once I did, I managed to do a lot of decent improving.

After the honeymoon period, you'll want to have something a little Texan.
The Texas embassy is a ok place to try out. This is the actual place where the original TX embassy was before we joined America. It's been converted to a tex-mex restaurant and even tough it's not the same, it will tide you over if you are really craving something a little like home.
Check out the website.
http://www.texasembassy.com/

I've been really curious about this place. I've past it a few times, but have yet to go in. I was thinking about going for a special occasion, but unsure if it's worth it. But, yum, looking at the menu makes me want to go tonight!

My one word of advice is definitely stay away from Robin Hood Zorro if you are ever in Hammersmith... Mexican-English fusion is a really REALLY bad idea!

Reminds me of the time my hubby and I joined some friends at a new "Mexican" restaurant that had opened near us in Berkshire. I was dying inside trying not to laugh at how the staff pronounced all the dishes (Fa-gheee-ta) but the kicker was when the waitress corrected me when I order the quesadillas "Oh, you mean Kway-suh-dilllll-uhs" 

HAHAHA!  Yes I totally agree, my fiance, the first time I heard him say "fah-heeeee-taaaah"...I literally died laughing for about an hour!  He plans to take me to this mexican restuarant he and his mates frequent near his home.  Its called Chiquitos...he swears up and down its delicious.  However when he visited in August, I took him to Herreras..if your from dallas you prob know of it...he quickly changed his tune on Chiquitos lol. 

Im very curious to try his so called mexican food when I arrive next week.  Guess I cant expect authentic tex-mex 

HAHAHA!  Yes I totally agree, my fiance, the first time I heard him say "fah-heeeee-taaaah"...I literally died laughing for about an hour!  He plans to take me to this mexican restuarant he and his mates frequent near his home.  Its called Chiquitos...he swears up and down its delicious.  However when he visited in August, I took him to Herreras..if your from dallas you prob know of it...he quickly changed his tune on Chiquitos lol. 

Im very curious to try his so called mexican food when I arrive next week.  Guess I cant expect authentic tex-mex 

Funny, never heard of Herreras and I've lived in Dallas my whole life. I really freakin miss Margarita Ranch though. I used to live in Mockingbird Station and my husband and I ate there once a week. God, they have good salsa.
I have no problems making my own Tex-Mex here. Thank goodness you can finally buy tortillas and refried beans in the super markets now, as I don't remember ever seeing anything remotely Tex-Mex 5-6 years ago.
Also, there are decent burrito joints in Islington. But yes, I haven't found any decent restaurant here.
My sister (who lives in London as well) worked at El Chico in Dallas for nearly five years. When she moved to the UK, there was a Mexican restaurant down the road from here called El Chico. She thought this would be a sign that it would have amazing food... she told me the other day she had been very wrong.