Stuff I Told My Sister

Apparently I am either a role model, or just corrupting the youth of America (probably the latter). But whatever the reason, thanks to my inspiring example, my younger sister is embarking on a grand international adventure this summer, as she does a work abroad program in London. 

London is a very cool town, one that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit in my own global meanderings. I dug through my stuff and found some old travel magazines and a map of the London Underground and gave it to my sister. And instead of saying, “Why are you giving me your old junk,” Sis was all like, “Wow, this is really cool.” We started talking and I gave her some advice about study abroad and London. 

Get the ISIC and HI cards. They save you money, and if you don’t stay in hostels while you study abroad, you’re missing half the experience. Plus a lot of the European hostels have pubs attached. So even if you get totally wasted (I’m sorry, “pissed”) you only have to stumble up a couple of flights of stairs. 

Speaking of student discounts, make sure you mention you’re a student when you book your flight. You can get great deals, especially if you book through someplace like Student Universe or STA Travel.

English Breakfast, yeah, watch out for that. Ok, I realize that I eat many foods made from disgusting ingredients. However, they at least do not advertise this fact in their own names. Because yeah, “blood sausage”? Exactly what it sounds like.

Conveyor-belt sushi, anyone? London is the first place I really tried sushi. There’s this great restaurant where everyone sits at one big table and you pick out stuff that rolls past your seat on a conveyor belt. And a robot brings you sake. No, I’m not kidding.

VISIT THE SHERLOCK HOLMES MUSEUM. Go back up to the top of this column and read my byline. Done it? Okay, I really shouldn’t have to explain this one, but for those of you not acquainted with 19th century literary greats, Professor Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes’ greatest adversary. 

Like root beer? Too bad, you’re screwed. Root beer does not exist on the other side of the pond. Apparently it’s because Europeans use that flavoring in their cough syrup, and no one wants to drink it in soda. While I was in Ireland, I went through serious withdrawal. Luckily, some friends of friends brought me some when they visited for Spring Break. 

Go to Scotland. Why? Because dude, it’s Scotland. I swear, once you cross the border even the air tastes different. Tons of cool old castles, mountains, lakes, rivers, islands. Okay, now I sound like a nature nut. But if nature in the US were this beautiful, you’d be crazy about it too.

Soccer is “football.” Football is “North American football,” or “that crazy sport that the Yanks play” or “a really bastardized version of rugby for cowards.”

Don’t forget everything else. Once you’re actually on that side of the Atlantic, travel is cheap and fast. The trains are phenomenal. You can get to Paris from London in three hours through the Chunnel. Don’t spend all your time hanging out in London when you can see the rest of the continent as well. 

Of course, if my sister is anything like me, she’ll ignore all the advice she’s given and just do whatever the hell she wants anyway.

Caitlin Moriarity is a freelance editor and writer who has been hooked on travel since a semester studying abroad in college. You can read her other travel writing at www.tropeofirony.com.