The first person I met properly in Damascus was an Englishman called John, who had moved to the city seven yers earlier to work as a photographer. On my first day I walked through the souk and round the back of the Great Umayyed Mosque, towards the Christian Quarter of the old city, where he … Continue reading »
Tagged with culture …
Patriotism is not dead
I spend a lot of time on buses. London buses are generally chattier places than the Tube. You can use your phone for starters, so there are often lots of interesting one-sided conversations to earwig. And you can see daylight, which in my opinion, means you feel less oppressed and more benevolent to the person … Continue reading »
(Breaking) Basic rules for London living
These three rules, illustrated by Luke Purser demonstrate clearly why I, despite my best efforts to suppress my northern-ness, I get in trouble in London. I often make eye contact. I do smile, although not always with teeth. I have been known to reassure people with a gentle touch on the arm – although I’m … Continue reading »
Decisions, decisions
‘My first ever post was entitled Reasons I Love My Life, and although everything I’ve written here isn’t always numbered, everything I’ve written here is a reason why I love my life. I love the excuse to grumble and rant as much as I love the exciting and surprising bits. And I love the fact … Continue reading »
37: creativity (or attack of the giant Fiat 500)
I spent most of this morning standing watching a piece of derelict land next to Primark on Oxford Street being turned into something resembling a village fete that had been invaded by a giant Fiat 500. That is, there were balloons, a juggler, fake grass, stripey deckchairs, lollipops, cheerful people in t-shirts and a machine that … Continue reading »
59: The V and A
My favourite museum in London is the V and A. I like it because it’s so eclectic, full of random bits and pieces that don’t really follow a coherent theme, except that they’re curious and beautiful. I spent the morning in the National Art Library in the V and A doing picture research in 1960s … Continue reading »
61: desperate romantics
I really love the Pre-Raphaelites so I was always going to be a prime target for Desperate Romantics, the BBC drama based on the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. It’s fairly cheesy but I confess I’m hooked. And for someone who never watches tv that’s saying something. After a fairly bad day, it was great to come home, flop … Continue reading »
70: Cultural Shorthand #4: Victoria Wood
One wedding down, another one to go – my flatmate announced her glorious engagement and so the wedding chat begins again. Follwing this line of thought led us to playing this song by the genius English comedian, Victoria Wood. You can’t get a song with more ‘you have to be British to get it’ lines, neither … Continue reading »
77: portraits
I was feeling a little bit sad. One of those days when you feel slightly glum and you know that it’s passing but you feel unaccountably close to tears. Both my flatmates are away, and a lot of my friends are too. Lonely and sad with no one to play with. One of those days. Aw poor me! … Continue reading »
82: Cultural shorthand #3: Vienna, Ultravox
Both my flatmates are away, one in Sardinia, one in Moldova. So there’s been a fair bit of ‘what time’s your flight? how long does it take? do you have to change?’ chat this week. B, going to Moldova, changes at Vienna, and when she said this I sang ‘Ah! Vienna! Bum budum’ ‘What is … Continue reading »
