December in London: Ju's birthday

Ju's birthday was a little dream. After eating typical French King's cake (in which they hide little objects and if you find them you are the king), we went to Chez Gerard near Picadilly for an expensive French dinner (us and the rich Russian youth dominated the place). Snails, duck and stake tartare were in order.

After that, we had a magical time at Somerset house, a courtyard that reminds one a bit of The Louvre. Fully booked every night- it was a miracle that I managed to find any tickets.

There, a giant Tiffany tree invites people to forget about recession worries and just enjoy an evening of fun. The rink is dominated by posh youngsters, with the exception of a few elderly citizens trying to relieve their good times.

The service was impecable, with a few Ice-guards (salvagheti :p) floating around asking everyone who fell if they needed help.

Later on in the week we managed to buy our Christmas tree and decorate it. This is the first year I have done it so soon. The X-mas present was a ticket to my very first musical: Monty Python's SPAMaLOT. Hugely funny, very impressive and extravagant. Would recommend it if you are in London.

Other than that, London is dominated by wannabe German markets selling sausages and mulled wine. Shops are all having sales and I have never seen Oxford street so empty on a Sunday. Because of recession, Woolworths (a well known and old chain of stores) is closing, people are loosing their jobs every day, home owners around Canary Wharf are losing tennants due to job losses and the government keeps trying to revive the housing market, which is going down. The pound has not been so low in a long time and stores are reporting very low sales. So the atmosphere, just like the weather is: grim. Happy Christmas everyone!

So what has been going on?....loads of work throughout November. So much so that I did not manage to post anything. I am now recovering and am sooo looking forward to going home next week! Shopping done, gloves ready for the cold and belly anxious for some grandma homecooked food. Yummm!!!

My birthday saw the best gifts ever! Like this very creative piece by my favourite Russian: Zhenia. It's called The Romanians and the city. :) Also received a whole series of the show that inspired it too.

''What??? and a trip to the spa? Really???

Other events were...lunch and the leaving party also of my favorite Russian at a lovely Russian restaurant. I discovered that one can find fabulous Gulash in London too!
And the best news is that we have just booked flights to Moscow for February to visit her!

Finally, my famous Romanians and friends gathered for Alma's birthday for drinks and dancing last Friday.

All's well that ends well. And I cannot wait to end up home. Soon...really soon. Counting the days...