I always thought it would be cool to have friends.
On the other hand, its sort of fun to be thought of as a complete fruitcake whacko. :)
Seriously, some of these'll probably only appeal to the more religious of you, or any closet Anglophiles, but I've had a number of cool experiences as a result of my religious friends in the UK. Here's a few:
1. "Scotch day". Taking a tour of the Glenfiddich distillery, then going to the gift shop and discovering that their 100-year-old scotch, at 10,000 pounds a bottle, was sitting right out in the middle of a table with all the rest, not behind lock and counter. In a room with very narrow aisles and me and my fellow gawking tourists. I was afraid to breath for fear of knocking it on the floor. Then a friend of mine -- former Brit Army -- took me to this little "Whisky Store" in a town of a couple thousand. Sold nothing but whisky....about 300 kinds.
2. "Anglican day." Sunday morning service using 1662 version of the Book of Common Prayer. Afternoon touring to Alnick Castle and Durham Cathedral (a/k/a the sites where Hogwarts is filmed). Having my picture taken with a cardboard cutout of Hermione, Harry, and Ron. (unfortunately, this was before I had a digital camera, and it didn't come out...fuckin kodak moments).
3. "Bute" weekend. Isle of Bute lies west of Glasgow, off the Scots coast. Main claim to fame either 3rd Earl, crony of Geo III and briefly prime minister, or first Marquess (1790s). Anyway, the Bute family seat is called Mount Stuart, and a friend of mine, who also lives on the Isle, is one of the world experts on the whole thing. So when I visited, she got me a special "in the back door" tour of the place, including virtually everywhere "behind the ropes." Including a private chapel that had mirrors on the three non-altar walls AND the floor. Maybe 12' square. Various icons and other pieces no doubt collected in the usual British imperial way. We had to wear these special slippers. It was really strange walking on the mirror. Vertigo. Plus I wasn't quite as heavy as I am now, but I was heavy enough that I kept asking "you sure it's okay for me to be on this?"
That night we ate take-out haggis-and-chips and drank single malt scotch.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)