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My last Thursday Thirteen (over two months ago) was a list of things I thought I would miss once I had moved to the UK. It is fitting then that I resume my Thirteens with a list of thirteen things I find myself enjoying in the UK that I could not in the US.

1. Grocery Delivery: All three of the big grocery chains here offer home delivery just about everywhere in the country, not just in the metro areas. Very handy for those of us who like to cook but do not have cars.
2. Markets: Community Markets like Queen’s Market in Upton Park and Farmer’s markets like Spitalfields make grocery shopping a real adventure, and cheaper too.
3. BBC Radio: NPR doesn’t begin to approach the level of programming available from “the beeb”. I am particularly addicted to BBC4’s “Book at Bedtime.”
4. Country Parks: The British have a love of open space and country walks that guarantees that just about every little town and burg has a country park.
5. Cheap Travel: There is nothing like being able to hop on a plane and go to Germany for $30.
6. Pubs: There really are nothing like them in the US; social spaces that aren’t meat markets, and CAMRA helps keep the quality of the libations high.
7. Bicycle Paths: Loads and loads of ‘em, all over the place.
8. The notice outside the Natural History Museum: “The giant squid is not taking visitors today.”
9. The British Library: ’nuff said
10. Effecient Public Transportation: Well, except for the night buses…but anyway, having a car here is just completely optional.
11. Friendliness: Everyone (outside of EC1, anyway) has been friendly, and always up for a chat.
12. Beer: Even the Budweiser is better here (Budvar).
13. Sports I actually care to watch: Football just about every day, and Cricket weekly.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!