UK impressions

My UK visitor and I have now completed two shopping malls (her choice!!!) and Downtown Baltimore. She fell in love with the Federal Hill area of Baltimore, with its market, character, funky town houses, culture, the fact you can walk, and that it isn’t suburbia.

Federal Hill

I always say that as much as I totally APPRECIATE living in the ‘burbs, with its safety, family areas, pools and schools, but there is something so enriching about seeing the way of living in the city. For a start, I wouldn’t shop in Giant (learning to despise that store), I’d shop on a daily basis in the market with its fresh fish, veges and meat. And maybe I’d stop for a taco and beer whilst I did that. Gotta love the Federal Hill market!

Cheese, Gromit!

The joy of public transport in Columbia

My friend recently started a job in Washington DC. The car commute from Columbia is what’s officially known as ‘a bit of a bugger’ by us Brits. But, my friend has found a bus that he can take now from just round the corner from his Columbia home This, UK friends, is a rare thing! Public transport out of and into Columbia, MD! Wowsers!

I’m glad he’s doing the public transport thing. More people should. It’s so liberating!

A rare sight in Columbia, MD

If there was one thing I would wish for Columbia, its public transport around the area and to the cities. I feel for friends who spend hours driving their kids around to activities and to the Mall. Get the little sods on the bus, for Gawd’s sake! It shows them independence, gives you more time, and it’s GREEN! Come on, Columbia, let’s make it happen (gets GREEN TRANSPORT in COLUMBIA banner made up…. 😉 ).