England. It goes to great pains to say “we’re not like that any more”, but they're lying. I mean, this is a country where people still get excited about egg salad sandwiches from Marks & Spencer.

The saddest experience: we researched (asked many locals) for the best fish and chips spot in London (an English classic, you'd think that would fly, right?). Half hour journey, ordered, were served some wonderful looking huge nice chunks of fresh fish. Mouth watering, dig in and…absolutely no flavour. None at all.

Same story in an Italian restaurant in London. What was truly shocking there was that the smells were wonderful. Somehow, all of the flavour was in the air, though. None of it entered the food. So bland I felt jealous of horses. At least they have a salt lick.

Now, the curries, they have flavour. And they're sort of English (they are Indian but not really—-anglicized India, let's say). But in London, even they have a sameness that is tiring. Real Indian cooking isn't like that, the spices and textures and flavours should vary widely from dish to dish. But in London, most curry dish tastes like any other.