The year was 1988. We decided to have a “Charles Dickens Christmas.” Together with our friends Dr. Walt & Jack we flew to London England. We arrived the week before Christmas and stayed thru New Years. We quickly discovered that the “Charles Dickens Christmas” was only in the books. London was not holiday decorated the way we do in America, it was very cold, damp and colorless.

    We didn’t know that the government, Harrod’s Dept Store, museums, many business closed the week from Christmas to New Years. Christmas Eve was very wonderful. We had tickets to go to The Royal Albert Hall for their Traditional Holiday Concert. I forget who the symphony (Great London Symphony) was but they played all the favorites for 3 hours. We couldn’t help but to be overwhelmed by all the history & spectacular ambiance in this hall. Even singing great Freddy Mercury of Queen singing group had played here.

    After the concert we went out for Christmas Eve dinner in where our large 2 bedroom apartment was in West Brighton.  The eatery had a special British Holiday Fare Menu. It was warm inside after leaving the cold outdoors with great food offered. Pheasant, Braised Beef, Turkey, Scalloped potatoes and green peas and a huge selection of super yummy English homemade deserts. We had to try them because it was Christmas in London.

    During our week after Christmas we did play tourists and ventured to the famed Royal Windsor Castle to see the Queens get away home. Oh Shuchks she was gone!  But the town of Windsor was beautifully decorated way beyond belief. A gorgeous Royal Castle and town holiday decorated much to the like of an American city.

    OK on with the story…. The next year we opened our first MC Film Fest Store. It was located on South Hyde Park Ave in Tampa . Located right across from the University of Tampa. There was a new restaurant that had just opened up next to us called “Cafe European.” It was the same restaurant and owners we had Christmas Eve in London 1 year prior.

    The owners remembered us from that night. We all had a really great time together. We shared stories and were very close neighbors. What a small small world!