how I spent my Sunday...

Though the UK is in almost every way a much more secular country than the US, Londoners seem (much more than New Yorkers) to observe Sunday as a "day of rest."

Lots of shops are closed and we've learned that you're better off not trying to get anything done, since everyone is probably at home perusing one of the numerous Sunday papers (or, indeed, perusing more than one) or watching the EastEnders "omnibus" (during which all of the week's episodes are repeated in one two-hour marathon).
Perhaps the nicest Sunday tradition, however, is just to hang out in your local pub, a tradition that, for two weekends running, Sergio and I have whole-heartedly embraced. We're lucky in that our new neighborhood offers two very comfortable 21st century pubs to choose from, replete with hip locals, free Internet access, and (most surprisingly of all)... decent food! Last weekend, we went all-English and had a full "Sunday roast" at the White Hart, complete with roast beef, horseradish and Yorkshire pudding. And the vegetables were actually crisp!

This Sunday consisted of four hours of highly productive playwriting at one pub, followed by a relaxed evening of emailing (and blogging) -- with a pint of Guiness in hand -- at the other.
So, here's to many more Sundays at the pub! Cheers!