LONDON -- Yes, it's a big town. Yes, there are similarities.

And yes, there are many differences, too.

It's Sunday evening in Great Britain's capital and tourists are milling about, trying to figure out where their hotel is and how much 5 pounds is worth in American dollars.

The pound is the basic monetary unit, similar to our dollar. It takes roughly $1.60 to equal 1 pound, so things are quite a bit more expensive over here.

However, finding the right deal doesn't take much work. Monday morning will find me at the half-price ticket window to see if there's any reduced seats left for "Les Miserables."

The Tower of London (where the Crown Jewels reside and where three queens lost their heads), Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are also on the list.

But the best part of this trip is noticing the differences.

Let's start with the restroom.

Here, it's unabashedly called the toilet. Not bathroom. You don't see many signs for 'Ladies' or 'Men' or 'Restroom.' It's toilet.

And there's many ways to flush it. The popular ones are the handles that hang from the ceiling.

I have to share my hotel toilet (and shower) with three others and you flush it by depressing a square handle directly on top of the toilet.

However, a little research beforehand enabled me to score the hotel for 37 pounds per night, including taxes and breakfast. The room's cramped and there's no TV (it's downstairs), but I have a balcony, a sink, a desk and closet and it's clean.

The price translates into something like $55 a night, which is cheap for London standards. Plus, it's in a nice neighborhood and a short walk from the Tube (or subway).

But, as in any town, the people are what make it interesting.

Coming up from the English countryside today, I encountered three teenagers. One had three hoop rings in her lip, another kid had spiked hair that could pop a balloon and yet another wore jeans that could make some plumbers look modest.

Translated: They're the same over here as they are back home. Except they talk a little different and have different word meanings.

I inquired about some sort of money clip or belt so I wouldn't have to worry about pickpockets. I asked the hotel clerk where the closest store was so I could buy one.

"What are you looking for?"

A money belt. Or clip. You know, like a fanny pack, except I don't want to have TOURIST in neon around my waist.

Suddenly, the man turned red and smiled.

"Did you say a fanny pack, chap?"

Yeah.

The man laughed out loud and told me to lean over so others wouldn't hear.

"Uh … I wouldn't say the word 'fanny' aloud. I don't know your definition, but here it refers to a woman's … er … genitalia, should we say."

Soon, we both had red faces. I immediately thanked him for the tip and left.

There are other words I've picked up along the way, but most are similar to ours. Of course, some just have different definitions.

The journey's just starting, and I'm curious to see what we'll learn over the next week.

I just need to remember to ask for a money clip. Asking for a similar item might get me slapped.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com