Well, one thing I am learning about England is that the food is not that bad but that they have different words for describing their food and have a different way of eating.
For instance, mashed potatoes are called "mash" and oatmeal is called "porridge." The mash is just like mashed potatoes but the porridge is sweet and watery. Not much to my liking!
Every morning there are hard boiled eggs. But instead of peeling them and eating them, the egg is put into a little upright holder. The top is then cut away and the egg white and yoke eaten with a spoon. I could understand doing this if the egg was soft boiled, but they are fully hard boiled. So, why all the trouble?
One thing that bugs me is that they don't have jams or jellies that are familiar to me. Only Orange Marmalade which I don't like. And, for some strange reason, I have never seen peanut butter! We have a variety of dry cereals. Often times people will cut up fruit and put it in their cereals. Of course, many of us do this back in the States.
At both lunch and dinner, there is always soup. But it is creamed soup. I've never really asked what kind of soup it is, but it always smells and tastes good. Besides the main meat, there is always a buffet table set up with salads, potatoes, and other side dishes.
My biggest gripe is that there is usually no dessert included with meals. Fruit and cheese is the way they finish off meals here. Only once did we have some kind of pudding. I guess I'll have to make special trips to the local market to get those candy bars that I am continually craving.
As you might guess, black tea is always present although you can ask for American coffee (which I usually do). English tea is taken with cream and, sometimes, sugar. It never runs out and is especially popular in the afternoon.
One thing to confess: an Irish nun encouraged me to "take some Sherry." I did and liked it.
Aside from all of this, there is good news! I saw a McDonald's and Burger King in Shrewsbury!
Fr. Perry
