The most astonishing thing about London for the three of us is that everyone speaks English there. We knew that they did, of course, but we nevertheless found it strange to be surrounded by people in perfect command of a language that we had become accustomed to hearing only inside our own apartment. Another astonishing thing was how much things cost. Accommodations are through the roof, and food is not cheap. London, it seems, exists to make Spain look affordable. I should say, though, that the prices were not as bank-breaking as we expected. We found it easy to eat at affordable prices, if we stuck to ethnic restaurants like Thai places and Asian noodle shops. This was fine, because this is precisely what we were craving, and British food being what it is . . . Although we did discover the joys of "Modern British Cuisine," which is basically the British version of the local food movement that you find in other countries. We had some very taste experiences there. And now that we're back in Spain, prices in euros seem cheap!
Chapel in Greenwich |
One totally geeky experience which many of you will apprecieate, because you are either a map geek or an Ecuadorian, was standing on either side of the Greenwich Meridian, the imaginary line running through Greenwich, England, that defines the point of origin for measures of longitude around the world. The experience bears comparison with Ecuador's "Mitad del Mundo" monument, where you can stand on either side of the equator. 0º longitude at Greenwich. 0º latitude at Mitad del Mundo. Here are some pointless comparisons between the two places, that will allow you to procrastinate working for just a little bit longer:
- The equator is a natural phenomenon, while the prime meridian is entirely arbitrary. This difference has no effect whatsoever on the geeky thrill involved in visiting them.
- The equator separates the world into northern and southern hemispheres. Everyone knows this. Technically, the prime meridian (along with its counterpart, the International Date Line) separates the world into eastern and western hemispheres, but nobody cares. Who would ever say that the city of London, which lies west of Greenwich and its prime meridian, is in the western hemisphere? Not I.
- There are many, many more souvenirs available at Quito's "Mitad del Mundo" monument than at Greenwich's Royal Observatory, but many of the Quito souvenirs are actually Ecuadorian handicrafts that can also be purchased from pan flute bands in any of the world's major cities, while the Greenwich souvenirs are unique to Greenwich, and exclusively prime-meridian-themed.
- At "Mitad del Mundo," you are more likely to eat something that will make you sick. At the Greenwich Observatory, you are more likely to pay through the nose for whatever you eat.
- At "Mitad del Mundo," when you take your picture with one foot in each hemisphere, you will be facing either east or west. At the Royal Observatory, when you take your picture with one foot on either side of the prime meridian, you will be facing either north or south. Another detail that is completely irrelevant to the experience.
- At "Mitad del Mundo," you will most likely arrive by car or bus. At the Royal Observatory, you will have walked up a hill in Greenwich Park. Ironically, however, you are more likely to be out of breath at Mitad del Mundo, because you are 9200+ feet in elevation.
- "Mitad del Mundo" is an elaborate tourist trap which includes an ethnographic museum and a recreation of Quito's colonial downtown. It is actually called the "Ciudad Turística [Tourist City] Mitad del Mundo." The Royal Observatory has the dignity that one would expect from a place once associated with the British crown.
Please feel free to provide further comparisons in the comments section, or to remark on how stupid you believe this comparison to be.
Ricardo with one foot on either side of the Prime Meridian |
The Mitad del Mundo monument is not actually on the Equator...it's a few of kilometers off. The Greenwich Observatory cannot help but be on the prime meridian.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent point, Bernardo!
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ReplyDeleteI only get to stand on the equator in Kenya where the food is always terrible . No souvenir stands, no one cares really, but they have a really ugly yellow metal rocket thing that marks it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Ricardo. The internet is all about providing a safe space for us to get our geek on.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to dig through my archival photos to find a pic of the monument the Italians built on the equator in Somalia. They made it look like the Romans had finally reached the sacred line where latrines drain counter-clockwise. Or clockwise. I'm not sure.
All the best from Copenhagen!
I think both places are a great experience!!!!
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