Frosty air nibbles my hand as I continue my evening walk along the South Bank. The cold wooden handle of my umbrella no longer friendly to the hands that hold it. Today was the first day of snow in London this winter. The flakes scatter on the ground and melt, creating a glossy layer over the tiles under my feet. My shoes make ripples that disturb this sleepy surface as I pass.
It is night and this charcoal mirror slowly juggles the opaque yellows of the lights along the Thames. A silent warmth in such weather.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Wednesday 25 November 2009
A Tube Journey In The Dark
Have you ever tried going somewhere with your eyes closed?
I recently saw a blind man at a tube station wait for a crowd to pass by before following a single man walk towards the escalator. When the man reached the escalator he stood on the right side as many commuters in no rush would, but the blind man kept walking down on the left side with his walking stick without fear or caution. When he reached the bottom he kept walking down two more flights of stairs to the platform with such speed and confidence that would put most tired and grumpy commuters to shame.
His confidence made him seem like someone who, although blind, had a more optimistic vision of life than many of people around him carefully shuffling down the escalators and stairs, running their eyes over colourful advertisements as if they contained a solution for purpose and happiness.
Just close your eyes.
I recently saw a blind man at a tube station wait for a crowd to pass by before following a single man walk towards the escalator. When the man reached the escalator he stood on the right side as many commuters in no rush would, but the blind man kept walking down on the left side with his walking stick without fear or caution. When he reached the bottom he kept walking down two more flights of stairs to the platform with such speed and confidence that would put most tired and grumpy commuters to shame.
His confidence made him seem like someone who, although blind, had a more optimistic vision of life than many of people around him carefully shuffling down the escalators and stairs, running their eyes over colourful advertisements as if they contained a solution for purpose and happiness.
Just close your eyes.
Something Fishy At 5am
Got up last week at 5am to go to Billingsgate Market near Canary Wharf.
Did you know that if you wanted to buy the fish there you can only get it in massive quantities (unless it's a massive piece of fish) because EU regulations prohibit you from buying individual fish?
The place was brilliant.
I recommend those who are interested in going to get there early (all the good fish will go fast) and to wear something that you can easily wash, as the smell will get into your clothes!
Did you know that if you wanted to buy the fish there you can only get it in massive quantities (unless it's a massive piece of fish) because EU regulations prohibit you from buying individual fish?
The place was brilliant.
I recommend those who are interested in going to get there early (all the good fish will go fast) and to wear something that you can easily wash, as the smell will get into your clothes!
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Noodles By The Side Of The Road
If you're ever in South-East Asia, bear in mind that some of the best food of the region is food from stalls on the street. Some great examples I have tried: Malaysian Roti, Thai Som Tum, Vietnamese Pho, Taiwanese Beef Noodles - most delicious meals can be had on the pavement next to a busy road; pedestrians weaving around your table, cars and motorcycles whizzing by a few feet away - nothing like busy street cuisine. It's difficult to find this awesome culture in Europe!
All It Takes Is A Grain Of Sand
Pearls are formed when a mollusk deposits calcium carbonate around a foreign object inside its shell.
All you need to make something so beautiful is one grain of sand.
All you need to make something so beautiful is one grain of sand.
Monday 16 November 2009
The People You Meet On A Plane
Examples of few people I have talked to while travelling on a plane: a mid-wife from Australia (has helped give birth to at least 25 babies, wow!), a post graduate with 3 masters degree in arts from SOAS, a Lithuanian woman studying in her second year at the University of Birmingham, a business man who has spent 20 years designing oil rigs in South East Asia.
Every person carries with them memories, desires, goals, questions, doubts, achievements, worries, joy and pain; experiences we would never know of.
Where do they come from? And where will they go once the plane touches down?
The cabin is the place where you will meet many for the first and last time in your life.
Briefly crossed paths and unexplored lives.
Every person carries with them memories, desires, goals, questions, doubts, achievements, worries, joy and pain; experiences we would never know of.
Where do they come from? And where will they go once the plane touches down?
The cabin is the place where you will meet many for the first and last time in your life.
Briefly crossed paths and unexplored lives.
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