golfkat Travel Blog

How many of you have been to high tea? With the royal wedding coming up, many traditions, including high tea are becoming popular. I have attended only a few, the best of which was at the Rasa Sayang* in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia. But I have observed the importance of high tea at Wimbledon. Even when the tennis match is exciting and important, patrons of the All England Club leave their seats for high tea in their special, member’s only clubhouse.

First, let me say, it is not what you expect it to be. And second, it is even better than I ever expected!

Per Stacy Leaska: Now that Meghan Markle, an American, is set to walk down the aisle with Prince Harry, an arguably extra-British Brit, it’s perhaps time to start blending just a little bit of both cultures into our daily lives. The best place for Americans to start might be joining the well-known U.K. tradition of high tea. “The drinking of tea not only became a social event for the upper classes, it altered the time and manner in which they took tea,” U.K. site Afternoon Tea explains. “Afternoon Tea became the bridge between meals because many wouldn’t eat their evening meal until maybe 8pm. As such, Afternoon Tea became a ‘mini meal’ in itself.”

The site further explained that the tradition of drinking tea in the afternoon soon trickled down to the working masses, only on a slightly different schedule.

What is High Tea?
The drinking of tea not only became a social event for the upper classes, it altered the time and manner in which they took tea. Afternoon Tea became the bridge between meals because many wouldn’t eat their evening meal until maybe 8pm. As such, Afternoon Tea became a ‘mini meal’ in itself.
This was all well and good for the upper classes, but the working classes ran to a different schedule and a different budget. Tea was still quite expensive at the time and the working classes could not afford to waste it on anything other than necessities. A wearied factory worker wouldn’t arrive home until six in the evening, and when he did, he was famished! Thus, in the industrial areas of the UK (northern England and southern Scotland), the working classes evening meal evolved: high tea. (from the afternoontea.co.uk website)

Here is a list of places closer to home:

Davis, CA: Tea List
San Francisco, CA: The Rotunda (the best locally)
Atlanta, GA: Tipple & Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary
Stony Brook, NY: Robinson’s Tea Room
Las Vegas, NV: Tea Lounge
Plymouth, MI: Sweet Afton Tea Room
Gold Hill, OR: The Teapot on Wheels
Chicago, IL: Palm Court
Miami FL: Cauley Square Tea Room
Granite, MD: The Granite Rose Tea Parlour
San Antonio, TX: Madhatters Tea House & Cafe
Oviedo, FL: The Lemon Lily Tea Room & Bakery
Georgetown, CO: Dusty Rose Tea Room
Denver, CO: House of Commons
Phoenix, AZ: Tipsy Tea Party
Rockville Centre, NY: Chat Noir
Richardson, TX: Bangkok At Beltline
Salem, MA: Jolie Tea Company
Toms River, NJ: 600 Main Bed & Breakfast and Victorian Tea Room
Oak Park, IL: Serenitea Cafe and Boutique
Scottsdale, AZ: Lobby Tea Court at the Phoenician
Annapolis, MD: Reynolds Tavern
Anoka, MN: The Mad Hatter
24 Ann Arbor, MI: TeaHaus
Philadelphia, PA: Mary Cassatt Tea Room

The Rotunda, a “remnant” of the old City of Paris department store, now the home of Nieman Marcus, is the closest place to me. Or Davis, CA. Take my word for it, go to the Rotunda, it will take you back to the old days of San Francisco, a place we call, “The City”.

# = The Rasa is the best hotel we have ever stayed at, and we were fortunate to do it twice! My personal preference is for champagne with sushi, and hot appetizers.

Just about every blog I have read about this trip says that VIA is NOT Amtrak.  Thank goodness.  I took my last long distance Amtrak journey last January, the Coast Starlight, from San Diego to Seattle.  Why is VIA different?  Most bloggers say that the staff is happy to be there, or at least, really good at faking it, right Elaine?  They are friendly, just as if you are in Canada!

But on the downside, the Canadian share track with freight and guess who gets priority?  Just like Amtrak, freight comes first, after all, it pays the baggage, so to speak.  Some delays have been up to ten hours, which I find difficult to believe or endure.  But it is reasonable to gain a little time back, since some VIA Canadian stops are rather long.  If the delays are at night, I would welcome the sleep, with no rocking to and fro, back and forth, up and down.

Update as of Monday, May 14, I was notified by VIA that my train will not leave on Tuesday at 10pm as scheduled.  At least they told me ahead of time.  I land at Pearson International Airport in Toronto at 8pm.  So, VIA is putting me up in a downtown hotel.  My train leaves, hopefully on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30pm.  I may have time to look up an old friend!  (I did, and it was a great visit)

Unlike Amtrak trains, most people on the Canadian are not headed from Point A to Point B.  Most everyone is there for the experience.  Most are retirees, but some are younger, and everyone on board is up for an adventure, world travel, and outdoor activities.  We had a big group of Aussies.

Activities help pass the time, most revolving around alcohol.  No need for a designated driver, though it may be difficult to find my sleeper after too many craft beers.  They have, in addition to beer tasting, wine tasting and champagne, along with, now get this, LIVE music!!!!  What a great idea!

Most bloggers recommend getting off the train whenever possible.  I learned this when I took the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia.  The only downside, of course, are the smokers and complainers.  But I would always walk from the front to the back of the train when possible.  NEVER, I repeat, never, walk around the train, as another train could arrive on the opposite track and prevent you from getting back to the other side!

Wi-Fi is an issue on the train, so station stops are vital for bloggers, and people trying to communicate to their friends back home.  Hey, as long as my phone works, I am fine.  For $10 a day, I get unlimited talk, text, and a ton of data.  But then another problem rears its ugly head.  Not all sleepers have electrical outlets.  Coach seats have outlets, as do regular rooms.  This means having to hang out in the Cafe or Activity car.

Much like Amtrak, it pays to book a lower berth.  Why?  You must be a Romanian gymnast to reach the upper berth.  When sleeping, they say earplugs are a must.  How about my wireless music headphones?

Meal time is always a big deal, and quite social, I might add.  Bloggers recommend always taking an early shift, for fear of running out of some meals.  Eating first gets first pick of meals, just like First or Business Class on the airlines.  Bloggers say the food is quite good.  We shall see, as Amtrak is basically reheated food, like the airlines.

But meal time is the most social period.  Amtrak forces people to fill in booths of four people, no solo or couples dining.  It works well for me, since I am traveling solo.  I have met the most interesting people on these rail journeys.  This should be no different!

Bathrooms and showers are clean, car attendants provide a shower kit.  The only annoyance is that the shower faucet only stays on for about 30 seconds each time you push the button.  Annoying for the price we paid!  But it beats the bucket shower in the Serengeti, and the cold showers in southern Chile.

But all bloggers recommend getting the Sleeper Plus ticket, which I did.  Coach can be annoying, uncomfortable, and noisy.  I like to doze off during the day, read in quiet surroundings, and talk only when I want to.

Another key bit of information:  “Note that the much spoken-of Panorama Dome Car does not join the train until Edmonton so don’t wander up and down the train endlessly wondering if there is a secret entrance like, *ahem* some people did!  I actually wasn’t the only one and finally we asked our “Activity Manager” who informed us that we were not going crazy, but that the car wasn’t on the train just yet.  I am fairly certain that this piece of information was not included in any of the VIA literature I read before the trip.  In Edmonton you get to watch them add the car to the middle of the train which was a lot of fun! (if you have kids who are interested in trains, make sure you find out which cars the Panorama will be going in between and park yourself on the platform so you can watch the process. It’s quite fascinating).”

So, the trip is about scenery, meeting people, and relaxing.  For me, it is also a time to catch up on some reading, thinking, and talking to people of varied backgrounds.  Maybe it can be called some nourishment for the soul.  Maybe it is just another trip.  Time will tell!