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Normally I would devote today’s post to practical advice about preparing for a relocation to London. But since this weekend we find ourselves smack-dab in between Canada Day and the Fourth of July, I thought I’d mention a few ways to ironically celebrate your independence as an American expat moving to London.
Given that July 4th falls on a Monday this year, there will likely be some festivities going on Sunday instead. My husband and I are planning to meet with our friends in Hyde Park, though it won’t substitute for a good ol’ American barbeque in the sweltering temps before the fireworks go off. But it’s about camaraderie, after all, and our unified expat celebration of the nation from which we came prior to our international relocation.
Some local London venues giving a nod to the holiday:
Be Bop and American Hops – real ale festival of American-inspired beers plus music and burlesque, going on all weekend through the 4th.
Ben Franklin House – serving cake and champagne at the museum (which was effectively America’s first embassy in London) on July 4th.
Blues Kitchen – hot-dog eating contest on the 4th.
Bodeans - specials on American beer and meat platters from July 1-4.
Chilango – giving away free burritos on July 4th to Americans with a US passport.
Democrats Abroad UK Annual Picnic – July 3rd in Portman Square Garden, London W1; purchase tickets in advance.
Henry J Beans – DJ and face-painting from July 2-4, with a special price for ribs on July 4th.
Waxy O’Connor’s – an Irish pub hosting an American Independence Day party on the 4th.
So if you haven’t yet made your relocation to the UK, as you pack up and prepare for the changes, don’t fear that you’ll have to leave everything behind. There’s a remarkable amount of American history and culture to be had in London—our Liberty Bell was forged here, for goodness sake, born in the same place as Big Ben at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry! The two bells are cousins! What’s wonderful is that in the 21st century it’s not about us-versus-Britain anymore; we’re allies and can celebrate what unites us. God Bless the USA and UK!
