“You’re from America, right?” Connor asked. I nodded yes.  “Yeah, I can tell. It’s the accent,” Connor said as he tried to make friends with our group as we wandered through Camden Town on a Monday evening. We settled in front of the stage at a karaoke place, palm trees and other beachy decor adorning the surrounding brick walls. Getting a little more comfortable, he decided to tell us a few things about himself as well. “Me? No, I’m not from London, or even England. Can’t you tell? I don’t have the accent, either. I’m from Amsterdam.”

When I told Connor that we had been in Amsterdam just last weekend, his face lit up. “So was I! How did you like your trip? It’s so much fun there. It’s not like here where everything closes so early. Do you hate that, too?” Upon telling him that we, as New Yorkers, were much more accustomed to things being open late, he decided to brag about his own city.

“Yeah, in Amsterdam everyone is always up for doing something fun. Sometimes I’ve stayed out until seven in the morning!” he said. I told him that I couldn’t imagine this, as I was already tired and it was only 11p.m.. He laughed and said it was nice to meet me as my group headed home, then walked over to sit and listen to a wannabe Amy Winehouse singing karaoke on a makeshift stage.

Camden Town
TUBE STOP: Camden Street; Circle and District Lines