International Beauty Supply

LONDON KILLS ME

Fooled by British Airways bargain airfares out of JFK, I went to London a couple of weeks ago for the first time and without proper psychological preparation to the ridiculous devaluing of my precious American currency. I soon found prices in pounds equivalent to NYC were a clever rouse in double the amount of just about everything. I wept repeatedly. The goal was simply to see as many museums and attractions as possible in five days without going completely broke.

I stayed in South Kensington in a rather lavish hotel with off-season prices complete with thin walls where my fellow countrymen in the room next to mine couldn’t survive without their television. I didn’t hear them watch a single local program once.

If like myself, you’re not a drinker, evenings out were a bit disheartening as the streets were filled with the lush and most entertainment was overpriced (20 dollars for a movie anyone?). And though cafes were plentiful, one can only drink so much coffee. Even me.

Airborne pollution seems to be a problem. I had the black lung after a couple of days and was soon sick. Meaty English breakfasts provided some kind of nutritional solution, but affordable greens seemed a bit difficult to come by.