I was first there in my early 30s for a 3 week work trip. The folks I worked with were about the same age and great. We went out to pubs at night and one weekend a group of us went out near Wimbledon - someone's family had a restaurant. There was some big political drama going on in Europe at the time (don't remember now) and they were discussing it at dinner. I has heard about it but knew practically nothing. I commented how impressed I was that they knew so much about it. One if them said "well, it's in our backyard." Sort of stuck with me how we in America (or at least me) are in our own little American cocoon and don't know much past that. I did find sandwiches at lunch to be lacking (bread slice, butter smear, thin slice cheese, thin slice meat, bread slice) but the box of amazing chocolates that someone brought almost daily made up for it! I love how easy the tube is to get around.
I've been back a couple of times since but only to London - once took a bus to Dover and back for a day. I'd love to spend time in the countryside.
Politically I see some parallels with U.S., the inmates are trying to run the asylum. But I think both will eventually find middle ground.
