significantly underrated international dining options
Written by patty on November 2nd, 2008This is my third stay at the Heathrow Hilton, and my second time on the way over. Once I stayed here on the way home after an twelve day death march through Europe with a broken rib. Let’s just say I didn’t win many friends that trip.
Regardless, after a long-assed flight over with and older and somewhat chubby American man in front of me leaning so far back in his chair that he was practically in my lap for the better part of seven hours, here I am. Oscar’s in the lobby is far more appealing than you might think. Pleasing lighting, good beer on tap (tonight I’m sampling a Boddington’s), and a surprisingly decent menu. For a HIlton. My dining adventure this evening is hicken tikka masala, which is clearly shorthand for “chicken breast tooped with a dash or coriander, a bit of yogurt, and plenty of Campbell’s condensed tomato soup.”
Tonight’s travels were far less adventuresome than my trip here in May, on my way to Barcelona. Who knew that when you arrive at Heathrow in the later evening hours, with a connecting flight first thing in the morning, American Airlines checks your luggage through to your final destination? Well, I sure didn’t. I flew, ate, slept and then flew again in the same fragrant clothes, with a furtive and fun stop in the Barcelona airport’s women’s room once I was reunited with my clothes (and my pillow) to change into something resembling business attire.
I was tremendously proud of myself last time, when I found my way to the airport Hilton by way of the London Underground and a smart little walking tunnel. This trip, it felt like old hat. I’ll have to find something slightly risky to do in Cannes to compensate.
If I’m not dead from a rather unpleasant chicken situation, tomorrow morning is my true adventure. I’ll be checking out the heated freshwater lap pool. Despite my propensity for pink eye (which would totally complement my firebush red highlights), I want to swim at least once while I’m away. The pool here looks appealing enough. And along with my sense of adventure, I’ve got more than enough pink-eye zapping eye drops to see me through the week.
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I’m jealous! I love London. And I’ve always wanted to go to Cannes. Of course, that would be as Jonny Depp’s concubine, but I’d take a business trip.
Risky things? I’d say go for some cheese and a French whore. Or, just walk down the main drag with a sandwich board that says, “I’m voting for Bush (again!)”
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Please post some pics of you in Cannes, and include some French words!!! If I can’t take a real trip to France, I can live through you. I want to go back there so badly. I’ve got some awesome pics from one of my trips there that I really should scan in…
Stamford Talk’s last blog post: Cool-Sounding Documentary at the Avon
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green here, green with envy. I’ve long wanted the opportunity to attend Cannes! What a wonderful opportunity that is.
i’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that you don’t have any chicken-mishaps.
fortune cookies’s last blog post: Blogosphere meets Real Life
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I am not as worldly or as educated as you or your other commenter’s but I am loving reading your blog. I intend to start reading from the beginning and get caught up with what is going on in your life and maybe find out what you do for a living that allows you to do so much traveling. Was that a run on sentence? Please forgive me.
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Miss Shine, there are no educational requirements for hanging out here, you sound plenty worldly to me, and I’ve often fallen in love with a good run-on sentence. Thanks for the props! Come back any time.