Author: ericmistry

I am a food enthusiast and always am looking for new flavors to enjoy.
A City of Old & New

A City of Old & New

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

This morning, we took a walking tour from the Monument to the Great Fire to just below St. Paul's Cathedral. It was an incredibly interesting walk, with Professor Layton-Jones pointing out various places and structures of historical importance. One thing I began to notice as we walked, however, was the incredible blend of the old and new structures. History doesn't build out from London's center, it builds up and around it. We saw numerous rows of buildings with facades and details from various centuries. It's the historical touches that give London its unique feeling. It is a city lost in time. There are places that look unchanged from their same appearances hundreds of years prior. Their juxtaposition next to modern buildings further highlights it. I feel the stark contrast adds a certain beauty to both the old and the new. London may be lost in time, but that's what makes it beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Bits of Home

The Little Bits of Home

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My post about the Indian food set my mind thinking about what other little details bring me home. I looked for them today. It was somewhat surprising to see how many pieces of home are with me, no matter where I am in the world.

(In no particular order…)

  1. My workout bag: (shampoo, sandals, shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, suits, goggles, iPod, towel, water bottle.) It never changes, and packing it each night is nearly a ritual.
  2. My Uniball ballpoint ink pen. Black ink, 0.7 mm point, these are the only pens I use.
  3. My leather journal/notepad/doodlepad. Though the actual notebook will vary, I have gotten into the habit of always carrying one. It's comforting to have just one nice place to keep my thoughts.
  4. My cup of tea in the morning and at night. Nothing is quite the same as a perfect cup of tea, with just the right amount of milk and sugar. It wakes me up in the morning, and puts me to sleep in the evening.
  5. The feeling of calm that swimming continuously brings to me. Even though I am in a different pool, swimming meters instead of yards, and swimming clockwise instead of counterclockwise, there is a beautiful feeling that rushes over me at a certain point. Swimming becomes effortless, and the water just surrounds me and shuts out all other distractions. It's just me and the pool, no matter where I am.
  6. The joy I find in food. Whether cooking or eating out, I get so much pure enjoyment out of food. I find myself getting surprised by different flavors, discovering new foods, and indulging in the most unique of experiences when I seek out good food.
  7. My pictures. I always have pictures of my friends and loved ones with me, whether digitally on my tablet or physically in my little pouch of photos. I also have a few pictures of Emily and me next to my bed, and it's a great thing to wake up to every morning. It's so comforting to see those moments caught in time, those memories of happiness, laughter, and love eternally perserved with pixels or ink.
  8. Being behind a camera. Though I picked up photography as a more serious hobby beginning last year, I've always loved taking pictures. I love looking for the perfect angle for a shot and finding so much more. Photography has helped me discover hidden things that lay in plain sight, waiting to be found by someone who is truly looking. There are treasures and memories everywhere, and the camera lets me capture it all with the click of a shutter.
  9. My music. Whether its an intense playlist for the gym or my usual mellow music for everywhere else, my music is another thing that keeps me connected to where I am from. Hearing certain songs brings memories and people directly into my mind. It's nice when to hear a bit of home in a faraway land.
  10. Grinnell. Not only am I surrounded by Grinnellians in this program, but Grinnell is constant in other ways. I met with an alumnus, Ed Senn '79, who treated me to a great dinner, Paralympics velodrome experience, and great conversation. I'm also still receiving so many emails from my various Grinnell groups, which is bittersweet in that it makes me miss Grinnell and everyone there, yet it makes me excited about returning for the spring and happy for those who are there now.

 

The list could go on and on, but that's what immediately springs to mind. London is absolutely amazing and a totally life-defining experience. It's just also nice to notice that I managed to bring a bit of home with me.

 

 

Live(ish) From London

 

Play: London Road

Play: London Road

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Tonight we saw the play London Road, a verbatim-style play based on interviews with residents of a neighborhood following a series of murders. The victims, all prostitutes, were rather looked down upon by the citizens of the area. The play was incredibly interesting for a variety of reasons. First, the author of the play had to take apart recorded conversations and pick out the important or recurring themes to help craft the story in verbatim. Second, the actors had to reproduce the interviews literally verbatim, with every stutter, pause, and um. Finally, because this was a musical, they also had to sing the lines while not trivializing the subject of the material. It was quite well done, with some intentionally dissonant singing at times helping to emphasize the lack of agreement among the neighbors.

 

In all, it was a very well done play by some extremely talented actors. I do not expect to ever see anything quite like it again due to its uniqueness and creative approach to the subject. I am still in awe that not only do I get to see such incredible performances, but Grinnell-In-London pays for us to see them.

Flat Group Shot Before the Play

 

Poster for London Road

Ending Set of London Road, with Flowerpots Abounding

 

Churros With Hot Chocolate

Churros With Hot Chocolate

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This afternoon, while exploring the Camden Market area, I stopped to try some traditional-style churros and hot chocolate. They were quite delicious. The hot chocolate was not your watery cocoa water that Americans associate with hot chocolate. This was literally hot, thick melted chocolate. It. Was also delightfully fun to eat. I would dip the churro, pull it out to let the chocolate cool, then dip it again for a second layer of chocolate before chowing down on it. It was a rich indulgence, but I did extra work in the gym today and walked a few miles extra, so I felt it was well-earned. More food adventures are on the horizon, from Gastropubs, to kebabs, to Indian food, to a further exploration of market food! Stay tuned!

 

 

Indian Food and More at the Bricklane Market

Indian Food and More at the Bricklane Market

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

We went to Bricklane Market today and it was an amazing experience. (Read more about it in the previous post!) One of the tougher choices of the day was what to eat… There were about twenty different food stands, with each one serving mouth-wateringly good food. In the end, I chose to get a steamed pork bun and some Indian food. It was a great choice. I started with the steamed bun.

 

 

It was one of the most interesting eating experiences of my life. It wasn't complex, it wasn't served on a fancy plate, but this simple steamed bun was one of the best things I had ever eaten. Fresh from a woven basket into a napkin, it was still extremely hot to the touch. I waited a minute to dig in, and was greeted by the amazing taste and smell of the pork as the the air pocket inside was pierced, and the pork-infused steam rolled out from within. I added some sweet chili sauce and some soy sauce to the now-open bun, and let the flavors soak into the pork and bun a little. It was a delightful treat to eat it. The pork was juicy and deeply flavorful and almost melted with the bun with every bite. It was so very simple, but so utterly delicious.

 

Next came the Indian food. I opted for a variety plate, which included two curries, a dish with chickpeas, some mint and yogurt sauce, and rice. Chutneys were on the side for added flavor. (Or, if you prefer, flavour.) The dishes were so hot and intensely flavorful, delivering the tastes and culinary experience that only Indian food can. They all melded together and released the most fantastic smells into the air. Eating this dish of Indian food, surrounded by the noise and chaos of the busting market, I felt oddly calm and at home. These dishes are the same as the ones my family makes, and the strange little bit of comfort and home each bite delivered made the dish all the more satisfying. Food is about more than just taste, it is about experiences, memories, the stuff of life itself. It's a universal factor of the human race. We all have our own foods that, no matter where we are in the world, will always bring us home. Enjoy the pictures below.

 

 

 

 

 

Bricklane Market

Bricklane Market

by ericmistry ♥ 4 Comments

Today my flatmates and I ventured over to the area known as Bricklane to visit the Bricklane market. It's open on Sundays only, so this was our first real chance to visit it. We reached the market by taking the tube to Aldgate East station, and then walked about five minutes through an Indian and Bengali neighborhood lined with incredibly-smelling restaurants and little sweet shops. (Both of which I will be returning to soon to try!) It still blows my mind how a quick tube ride and walk can completely transport you to a new world of sights, smells, and sounds. The people that define a neighborhood change from block to block, and the level of diversity is truly astounding.

 

In any case, we reached one of the indoor markets, and were immediately overwhelmed with a blast of heat and delicious smells. The market reminded me of the Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market, but placed inside an old warehouse and with Indian/Thai/Chinese food dominating the scene.) There were some great clothing booths and lots of amazing little art stands.

 

At the market, I managed to accomplish three of my London goals in a matter of minutes.

  1. Buy some quality loose tea. (Great chai from a tea vendor who shared his favorite teashops)
  2. Eat delicious Indian food. (Yum! See next post!)
  3. Find a brown leather bomber jacket. (Not only did I find one, but it fit me like it was made for me, and the vendor gave me a twenty percent discount when I bargained. #winning?)

 

It was an overwhelming, awesome experience. We didn't manage to make it all around the market areas, but will return soon! As we explored the area, we also found some great street art. Enjoy the pictures below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paralympic Cycling: An Inspiring Experience

Paralympic Cycling: An Inspiring Experience

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

This morning, after a nice little tour (for class) of the area surrounding the Olympic Park, I ventured inside to go watch the cycling. (More pictures from my walking tour and my pictures from the Olympic Park are on a post coming up soon. My ticket did not let me into the aquatics facilities at all, so I will be returning to try capturing photos of the amazing pool.) After an extensive walk, I made it to the Velodrome, where the track cycling takes place.

 

I met up with Ed, and we got settled in. He helped me understand the various rating system based on a ability. Essentially, those athletes who are less affected will see their times unchanged, while those who compete with more difficulty see their times adjusted to a percentage of their final race time. For example, athletes without one of their legs may see their final times be 89% of their completed time. This helps level the playing field a bit and also helps widen the categories whilst remaining fair and conscious of everyone's ability level. We had great seats (thanks to Ed, yet again, and some of our neighboring seats took pictures of us for us.

 

The cycling began soon after I arrived. We watched the Women's C1-3 & C4-6 classes compete in the 500m race. This meant two laps around the Velodrome for each woman once it was her turn. This was followed by the Men's 4000m Pursuit. All of the athletes were absolutely incredible and so inspiring. No matter what their ability level, as soon as they got onto their bike, they were graceful, powerful, and completely at ease. It was an incredible afternoon, with multiple world records being broken, and team GB and the US both scoring a few medals as the day went on.

The atmosphere and energy of the crowd was astounding. Though they were loud throughout the entire session, when Team GB athletes were performing, the crowd exploded with noise and waving Union Jacks. it was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was completely made possible thanks to Ed Senn. He is the epitome of Grinnellian generosity and reciprocity; my grandma taught him a variety of important work lessons at the Forum, and he has done so much for our family, from establishing a scholarship in my grandma's name, to sharing advice over coffee in Grinnell with my brother and me, to taking me out for some amazing London experiences. Enjoy the pictures below (and I will add more after I sort through the nearly one thousand photos I took today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fish and Chips at The Golden Hind

Fish and Chips at The Golden Hind

by ericmistry ♥ 3 Comments

Ed Senn and I were hungry and looking for a good meal. I pulled out my phone, opened the Yelp application, and ran a search on restaurants. The nearest of them with a good rating was The Golden Hind. We thought we were on track, albeit with a slightly off name, when we walked into The Golden Eagle. We asked the bartender for a good fish and chips place nearby, and without hesitation, she recommended The Golden Hind.

We walked in doors adorned with stickers from the various food rating services (Zagat, Yelp, etc) and found ourselves in a fairly crowded restaurant. We were seated almost immediately and service continued to be prompt and efficient throughout the meal. Although the tables were crammed close enough that an errant fork could gain you a bit of a neighboring table's meal, it made people-watching all the better. Ed and I noticed the crowd was very local-heavy, a good sign that the food is authentic and delicious. As we saw the food being delivered to tables around us, I began almost salivating at the sight of such delicious fried fish. We each ordered a fried fish (cod) with the traditional sides of mashed peas and chips for a very proper fish and chips meal. Ed ordered a Greek salad for us to share as well.

The food, arriving quickly and fresh from the fryer, was as fantastic as expected. The fish, being the center of attention, was quite incredible, definitely the best fried fish I have had in London. It was perfectly white and delicate, with each stroke of my fork flaking off beautiful pieces of hot, fresh fish. The breading was also quite unusual. It was substantial and deeply flavorful, yet light and not oily at all. It added a perfect crunch to the fish and chips, with the peppery breading infusing into the fish and soaking up the malt vinegar I was adding. The generous portion of fish was a good-sized amount, but with flavor like that, I could have easily eaten another few pieces!

 

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Ed and His Fish

The sides were also incredible, with the Greek Salad really standing out. It was perfectly proportioned, with a generous topping of feta. Its vegetables were all very crisp and fresh; the tomato was absurdly delicious and a deep red to its core. It was a refreshing option to cleanse the palate between the fish and chips and mashed peas. Speaking of those classic sides, they were scrumptious. Both had a perfect texture and consistency, the fries with their crisp outside skins and the peas with their firm-yielding-into-soft texture. Combined with the fish, the triumvirate of fish, mashed peas, and chips is quite unbeatable.

 

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The Greek Salad

 

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The Fabled Fish and Chips

 

Overall, The Golden Hind has provided a worthy benchmark for my quest to find the Best Fish and Chips in London. It was so kind and generous of Ed to treat me to such a fantastic meal. The combination of a perfectly crusty fish with the well-executed sides make it the fish and chips to beat!

 

Another Wonderful Westminster Day

Another Wonderful Westminster Day

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For my History of London class today, we took one of our walking tours around the Westminster area. It was a gorgeous day and I could hardly believe that THIS was a class! Professor Layton-Jones led us around, explaining the historical significance of various structures and architectural styles, as well as orienting us to where we were walking on our ancient London maps. It was another picturesque day, and I learned a great deal more about the importance of geographical location and its effect on events of the past, present, and future. Enjoy the pictures below!

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Meeting Up with Ed Senn ’79

Meeting Up with Ed Senn ’79

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

This evening, I met up with Ed Senn ’79, a great friend of my grandparents, Luther and Jenny Erickson. Ed was actually one of my grandma’s employees at the Forum, and has been a part of their lives ever since. He was in London to watch a friend compete in the Paralympics in Cycling. Ed was also extremely generous and got me a ticket for tomorrow to watch with him. Words cannot describe how excited I am.

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Ed Senn and Me
I had a great time hanging out with Ed. We talked about a wide range of topics at a nearby pub, from American’s tendency to stick out, to technology, to the interesting and unexpected knowledge gaps within our educational system. Ed also presented me with an awesome pair of socks, with some classic and classy scarlet and black stripes on them. They are sure to become a regular piece of my clothing ensembles. It’s amazing how Grinnellians are truly everywhere in the world. And even more amazing is the instant connection that we make; Grinnellians are a different type of person, and that difference is what connects us.

Post-pub, we made our way to The Golden Hind, where we had some rather phenomenal fish and chips. More on that in the next post!