dear all I write to you from London. It has been a busy week. I finished my time in Berlin happily with a trip to Peacock island with aylin and her mother, some cocktails at a beach bar on top of a department store and blowing some bubbles in the streets of east berlin. After arriving at Gatwick i stayed in a small capsule hotel, it was brilliant everything could be reached from sitting on my bed. I then hopped on a train early in the morning and headed for Norfolk where I passed several happy and busy days. I caught up with my mum, my grandmother and my friends. Now I am in London staying with my kind and hospitable cousin Charlotte. My arrival to the UK has been greated with rain and cold and today I have bought myself a wooly hat to fight against the elements as I have no long trousers or shoes!
London is so expensive in comparison with Berlin this has become apparent in two ways. I am currently searching for a flat so that I can move here to begin my studies at the end of September. I will be paying as much per week as Aylin is paying for her beautiful flat per month. Also I treated myself to a hair cut today I do not want to admit to how much it cost lets just say no lunch for me today and no using the tube.
I am sorry re reading this it is markedly uninteresting and uninspiring I blame this on the fact I miss Berlin, it is raining and i am hungry. so i will sign off and hope that my next blog will be of more interest.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s. am off to Jordan tomorrow!
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Orpheus, the underworld and wallace and gromit
I cannot believe that my time here is nearly over. I have had a wonderful time exploring different parts of this multi faceted city, avoiding the tourist haunts as much as possible.
Since my last entry time has passed at a seemingly vastly increased rate. Monday was spent mainly in bed and then at the local park where as soon as we sat down on our orange velvet balnket the heavens opened and we had to seek shelter under some trees as we played with the playdou that we had bought. The reason Monday was spent sleeping was to an evening of continuous dancing on the reggae ship to which we are returning this evening. After a long day on Sunday the last thing I wanted to do was to go out dancing. So we set off from the flat I felt deflated and wore what looked like a ensemble of my favourite pjamams. We boarded the boat at about middnight and then left at 5am. We danced to the incesently happy music in the green, red and yellow lights under the haze of smoke.
Tuesday was spent in the underworlds! We took a tour of the air raid shelters under the city. The tour guide's skin was pale and almost translucent he took joy in turning off the lights and speaking in empassioned tones. It was interesting for me to reconsider my thoughts on the war. Here was a place where people had died, people had cowered in the darkness listening to the explosions over head and unable to move or breathe deeply. They were just as innocent as those who across the sea cowered in the underground as bombs rained down on their city.
In the evening we went to a tiny theatre, the English theatre of Berlin, where we saw Orpheous decending by Tennesse Williams. It was a great production that kept us discussing into the night over home made hot chocolate.
Last night we once again visited B flat jazz club where we shared cocktails and wrote in the glow of a candle. We watched two young saxophonists smiling and happy take to the stage and wow us with their passion and seemingly inate ability.
Sorry to end so abrutbly but I must be off.
I send you all huge amounts of love
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since my last entry time has passed at a seemingly vastly increased rate. Monday was spent mainly in bed and then at the local park where as soon as we sat down on our orange velvet balnket the heavens opened and we had to seek shelter under some trees as we played with the playdou that we had bought. The reason Monday was spent sleeping was to an evening of continuous dancing on the reggae ship to which we are returning this evening. After a long day on Sunday the last thing I wanted to do was to go out dancing. So we set off from the flat I felt deflated and wore what looked like a ensemble of my favourite pjamams. We boarded the boat at about middnight and then left at 5am. We danced to the incesently happy music in the green, red and yellow lights under the haze of smoke.
Tuesday was spent in the underworlds! We took a tour of the air raid shelters under the city. The tour guide's skin was pale and almost translucent he took joy in turning off the lights and speaking in empassioned tones. It was interesting for me to reconsider my thoughts on the war. Here was a place where people had died, people had cowered in the darkness listening to the explosions over head and unable to move or breathe deeply. They were just as innocent as those who across the sea cowered in the underground as bombs rained down on their city.
In the evening we went to a tiny theatre, the English theatre of Berlin, where we saw Orpheous decending by Tennesse Williams. It was a great production that kept us discussing into the night over home made hot chocolate.
Last night we once again visited B flat jazz club where we shared cocktails and wrote in the glow of a candle. We watched two young saxophonists smiling and happy take to the stage and wow us with their passion and seemingly inate ability.
Sorry to end so abrutbly but I must be off.
I send you all huge amounts of love
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sunday, 6 July 2008
the white elephant and the ghost!
I am sitting on Aylin's small balcony surrounded by tomato plants sipping milky tea. We have spent the day at several of Berlin's large flea markets trying on silly hats and glasses and wondering who on earth buys used corks and old forks?! I so enjoy the colour and the vibrancy of this city. We sat for a while in a large park watching fire eaters, poi dancers and families all soaking up the atmosphere and all sharing a collective puff on the incence and weed filled air.
These last few days have been busy and not afforded much time for needed contemplation and a collecting of thoughts. We have spent many happy hours in the kitchen baking and ornately decorating dozens of cookies. Too many that we are now unsure of what to do with. We have been to art galleries, to the the club that typifies the old east and danced the night away by the light of the largest disco ball I have ever seen. I danced the twist so enthusiastically that my trousers split to a disgraceful degree that I was not fully aware until we left the club after dawn and the early morning light showed my trousers and dignity in tatters! Our night time activities have been long and interesting Berlin maintaining its intriguing character by the light of the moon and the neon strip. We went to a beautiful old theatre and caberet complex last night to see an Icelandic band play. We jumped with abandon in the front row in the sweltering heat.
Tonight we are off to a reggae party on a river boat I expect to see some colourful characters to further cement my love for this city.
Yesterday whilst shopping in the local supermarket a colourful flyer, there are flyers and stickers everywhere, caught my eye. it was for a small art collective by the name of white elephant. They too share an interest in abadoned and decaying buildings and placing contemporary art in temporary space. We decided to spend the afternoon there so headed east to a beautiful large brick ware house. Its windows all broken and birds nesting inside. Outside a man with dreadlocks sat at a plastic picnic bench under the shade of a potted palm tree and waved us inside. We were greated by a pot holed and uneven floor a small temporary bar selling plastic cups of beer and a wonderful view. The building over looks one of the lakes in the city its old rusty doors wide open and a small boat with a sign pointing to it signalling that this was the official fire escape in case of emergency! We explored the decaying structure graced with installations and interactive displays were we left our mark.
It was whilst making our mark that a man looking out of place approached us asking what to do here as we wrote small thoughts in a notepad. His name is Caspar an engineer. His reason for visiting the exhibition was his love of the building which he informed us is to be converted into apartments. It turns out that fate dealt me a strange hand by introducing me to this engineer uncomfortable with artistic endeavour, he too is soon to depart Berlin for the middle east. He is off a few days before me to learn Arabic in Syria. So we have organised to meet in Damascus. In the world you are never really alone.
Now I hope that you are all well and enjoying what you are up to
love to all my dears
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
These last few days have been busy and not afforded much time for needed contemplation and a collecting of thoughts. We have spent many happy hours in the kitchen baking and ornately decorating dozens of cookies. Too many that we are now unsure of what to do with. We have been to art galleries, to the the club that typifies the old east and danced the night away by the light of the largest disco ball I have ever seen. I danced the twist so enthusiastically that my trousers split to a disgraceful degree that I was not fully aware until we left the club after dawn and the early morning light showed my trousers and dignity in tatters! Our night time activities have been long and interesting Berlin maintaining its intriguing character by the light of the moon and the neon strip. We went to a beautiful old theatre and caberet complex last night to see an Icelandic band play. We jumped with abandon in the front row in the sweltering heat.
Tonight we are off to a reggae party on a river boat I expect to see some colourful characters to further cement my love for this city.
Yesterday whilst shopping in the local supermarket a colourful flyer, there are flyers and stickers everywhere, caught my eye. it was for a small art collective by the name of white elephant. They too share an interest in abadoned and decaying buildings and placing contemporary art in temporary space. We decided to spend the afternoon there so headed east to a beautiful large brick ware house. Its windows all broken and birds nesting inside. Outside a man with dreadlocks sat at a plastic picnic bench under the shade of a potted palm tree and waved us inside. We were greated by a pot holed and uneven floor a small temporary bar selling plastic cups of beer and a wonderful view. The building over looks one of the lakes in the city its old rusty doors wide open and a small boat with a sign pointing to it signalling that this was the official fire escape in case of emergency! We explored the decaying structure graced with installations and interactive displays were we left our mark.
It was whilst making our mark that a man looking out of place approached us asking what to do here as we wrote small thoughts in a notepad. His name is Caspar an engineer. His reason for visiting the exhibition was his love of the building which he informed us is to be converted into apartments. It turns out that fate dealt me a strange hand by introducing me to this engineer uncomfortable with artistic endeavour, he too is soon to depart Berlin for the middle east. He is off a few days before me to learn Arabic in Syria. So we have organised to meet in Damascus. In the world you are never really alone.
Now I hope that you are all well and enjoying what you are up to
love to all my dears
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, 3 July 2008
B flat and the shoe cupboard
It is 11.23 am and I am sitting having just finished a true German breakfast of heavy bread and ham. I am in east Berlin with the sound of cars bumping along the cobbled streets and trams in the distance.
This is my third visit to Berlin and I feel so at home here it is a city with such spirit and colour. All avaliable surfaces are covered with stickers or writing a form of communication to which all can subscribe.
My few days here have been frenetic with continued activity, setting off from Reading at 5.30am and arriving at midday in Berlin. After a lunch the afternoon was spent exploring a district of the city in the east, looking at the old GDR clothes and furniture, sitting on sofas in the street, eating a pizza whilst on the move in a tram and trying to choose earrings from the huge and colourful selection and ofcourse playing board games. we stumbled across a cafe where you buy a drink and then settle down for the day to play as many board games or puzzles as you wish. A man with big glasses and dark wirery hair selected games for us to play from his personal collection that were lovingly stacked from floor to ceiling. We were bothslightly lagging the competitive gene so I believe the game progressed at rather a slow pace.
Last night after a day moving slowly along the river on a boat tour that showed us the wealth of variation in the city from the husstle and bustle of the parliamentary area to the green expanses of the parks, we returned to Aylin's flat and cooked alot of pasta. After filling our bellies we were out again to a jazz bar to watch their 'jammin'. We sat in the hot room, its huge floor to ceiling windows showing us the people and the trams passing by. We sipped cocktails in the red lit room and were treated to wonderful lively jazz which drew a huge crowd and raised the temperature even higher.
We met some characters whilst watching the performance, Josh an American living in Berlin working as a translator, his friend Rudi a musician living in Berlin originally from Israel. We all sat communicating through the international language of the beat and the enthusiasm shown by the drummer who wore pink trousers and socks with a beautiful bright blue shirt.
You realise how small the world is when Rudi asked where I was from and we talked about Norwich as he is a fan of the football club! We have decided to meet with them on Friday as they have suggested a place which they say sums up east Berlin so we shall see.
Oh I must explain the shoe cupboard.
Aylin was disappointed at my ignorance and lack of worldliness when it came to my wonderment and delight at her shoe cupboard. It resembles a tall thin filing cabinet that holds all her shoes. This and the fact that Aylin says I was snoring in my sleep last night confirms what I believed I am just a younger version of my Mum!
And on that note I will venture out into the sun to visit some sand sculptures and a beach bar in the middle of the city!
Love to all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is my third visit to Berlin and I feel so at home here it is a city with such spirit and colour. All avaliable surfaces are covered with stickers or writing a form of communication to which all can subscribe.
My few days here have been frenetic with continued activity, setting off from Reading at 5.30am and arriving at midday in Berlin. After a lunch the afternoon was spent exploring a district of the city in the east, looking at the old GDR clothes and furniture, sitting on sofas in the street, eating a pizza whilst on the move in a tram and trying to choose earrings from the huge and colourful selection and ofcourse playing board games. we stumbled across a cafe where you buy a drink and then settle down for the day to play as many board games or puzzles as you wish. A man with big glasses and dark wirery hair selected games for us to play from his personal collection that were lovingly stacked from floor to ceiling. We were bothslightly lagging the competitive gene so I believe the game progressed at rather a slow pace.
Last night after a day moving slowly along the river on a boat tour that showed us the wealth of variation in the city from the husstle and bustle of the parliamentary area to the green expanses of the parks, we returned to Aylin's flat and cooked alot of pasta. After filling our bellies we were out again to a jazz bar to watch their 'jammin'. We sat in the hot room, its huge floor to ceiling windows showing us the people and the trams passing by. We sipped cocktails in the red lit room and were treated to wonderful lively jazz which drew a huge crowd and raised the temperature even higher.
We met some characters whilst watching the performance, Josh an American living in Berlin working as a translator, his friend Rudi a musician living in Berlin originally from Israel. We all sat communicating through the international language of the beat and the enthusiasm shown by the drummer who wore pink trousers and socks with a beautiful bright blue shirt.
You realise how small the world is when Rudi asked where I was from and we talked about Norwich as he is a fan of the football club! We have decided to meet with them on Friday as they have suggested a place which they say sums up east Berlin so we shall see.
Oh I must explain the shoe cupboard.
Aylin was disappointed at my ignorance and lack of worldliness when it came to my wonderment and delight at her shoe cupboard. It resembles a tall thin filing cabinet that holds all her shoes. This and the fact that Aylin says I was snoring in my sleep last night confirms what I believed I am just a younger version of my Mum!
And on that note I will venture out into the sun to visit some sand sculptures and a beach bar in the middle of the city!
Love to all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 30 June 2008
Ding Ding
I am sitting in the library computer room of Reading University looking across at the printers that now over a year ago caused me so much frustration and cost me alot of student pounds as I printed out my dissertation.
It has been an odd few days returning to a place that I hold fond memories of but had begun to be the stuff of the nostalgic flash back. Yet here I am and nothing here has changed significantly there are new faces and the building work continues to throw up many new and varied constructions. Yet I feel differently about the place where I had so much fun and spent so much time. What I have come to realise is that a home and a sense of belonging is something that you carry within yourself and is created by the loved ones who surround you rather than a place.
I am rather sad however that the library seating area that used to simply consist of a few stained chairs and two vending machines is now another aspiring starbucks. A place where the words 'fairtrade' and 'organic' trickle from everyone's lips without any notion of their true meanings or origins, there is instead a shared sense that by paying that little bit extra they can eleviate their guilt and 'off set' their unethical lifestyle choices. Wow that was a lovely hypocritical rambling which has made me fancy a mocha!
See you all soon keep in touch
much love
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It has been an odd few days returning to a place that I hold fond memories of but had begun to be the stuff of the nostalgic flash back. Yet here I am and nothing here has changed significantly there are new faces and the building work continues to throw up many new and varied constructions. Yet I feel differently about the place where I had so much fun and spent so much time. What I have come to realise is that a home and a sense of belonging is something that you carry within yourself and is created by the loved ones who surround you rather than a place.
I am rather sad however that the library seating area that used to simply consist of a few stained chairs and two vending machines is now another aspiring starbucks. A place where the words 'fairtrade' and 'organic' trickle from everyone's lips without any notion of their true meanings or origins, there is instead a shared sense that by paying that little bit extra they can eleviate their guilt and 'off set' their unethical lifestyle choices. Wow that was a lovely hypocritical rambling which has made me fancy a mocha!
See you all soon keep in touch
much love
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
here we go again!
Hello and welcome to all who have joined me once again as I embark on a whirl wind rip roaring tour.
After returning to Guernsey bursting with tales of my Peruvian exploits I wanted life to have fundamentally change for suddenly the purpose and the kinetic forces I had felt in South America to be equally strong in the channel. However what I first learnt was that life was the same the only decernable changes to Guernsey were the leaves on the trees and the new pots my mother had planted up in the garden.
After a few days of enjoying being clean I wanted to get going again. This is where the adventure begins. Talking to Bryony about my frustration at the slow pace of life she suggested another trip. Accompanying her to the middle east. Needless to say I jumped at the prospect. So now here we are, this afternoon I was back into Millets and buying more equiptment for another climate. Thus far my best buy has been a water bottle that also acts as a wind up lantern.
Next wednesday so in a week my journey shall begin with a short stop off in Reading to witness the momentous occasion of Mr Dan's graduation. We also hope to fit in a boogie at the best club in Berkshire and perhaps the whole of the south...REFLEX. I can almost hear Laura shrieking with well I wont even bother to say joy. After a weekend in th ding it is off to Berlin for several weeks to touch base with Leeny Peeny (Aylin for those of you less accustomed with these nick names). And then a week in the UK...any offers of accomodation?! and off to Jordan.
Well that is all I can type for the time being as I am off to the cinema....love to all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After returning to Guernsey bursting with tales of my Peruvian exploits I wanted life to have fundamentally change for suddenly the purpose and the kinetic forces I had felt in South America to be equally strong in the channel. However what I first learnt was that life was the same the only decernable changes to Guernsey were the leaves on the trees and the new pots my mother had planted up in the garden.
After a few days of enjoying being clean I wanted to get going again. This is where the adventure begins. Talking to Bryony about my frustration at the slow pace of life she suggested another trip. Accompanying her to the middle east. Needless to say I jumped at the prospect. So now here we are, this afternoon I was back into Millets and buying more equiptment for another climate. Thus far my best buy has been a water bottle that also acts as a wind up lantern.
Next wednesday so in a week my journey shall begin with a short stop off in Reading to witness the momentous occasion of Mr Dan's graduation. We also hope to fit in a boogie at the best club in Berkshire and perhaps the whole of the south...REFLEX. I can almost hear Laura shrieking with well I wont even bother to say joy. After a weekend in th ding it is off to Berlin for several weeks to touch base with Leeny Peeny (Aylin for those of you less accustomed with these nick names). And then a week in the UK...any offers of accomodation?! and off to Jordan.
Well that is all I can type for the time being as I am off to the cinema....love to all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Saturday, 24 May 2008
too many goodbyes!
I am sitting in Lima airport lounge weighed down by bags of heavy Peruvian goodies and also by a heavy heart. I have had a day of goodbyes proceeded by an unforgettable goodbye party. Gian Carlos Vladimir and Rodolfo have just left me to fend for myself in the airport after being my Peruvian guides for two months I am sure they will be glad of a rest from my insistant chatter. I am so sad to be leaving making a final trip to the beach today where I sat sadly with Wily Robert Manuel and Doc and watched as the waves pounded the shore the sun beating down surrounded by friends I had to really remember why I was going home. I have made many promises of returning soon but dont know how realistic these are as I am to begin studying in September. I hope very much to return especially to Lima where I really feel settled and could indulge in a few months more of being "dancing and surfing queen" as I was so hailed last night.
Well let me do a little round up of the latest happenings since my return from Pisco. Well I quickly settled back in to Lima life of seeing friends, surfing and visiting the sights of the city. Vladi and I took a nice trip to see the huge dusty and sandy desert site of Patuchamac just outside Lima. Two explorers we climbed to pyramids giving us a great view across the lima valley and to the sea. Vladi has also been a guide taking me to the Inka markets and bargening on all the brilliant and colourful things I have bought without his help I think I would have been severely Gringoed!
Apart from the above I have been idle enjoying just sitting and chatting with friends meeting people on the beach such as Ross and his Peruvian dancer friend with whom I indulged in mid afternoon pisco sours and cocktails before having to visit the super market feeling rather tight as your grandmother might say and cooking up a meal for the Peruvian guys to say thanks for all they have done for me. Nazzer and I making up the British contingent of our group of friends decided upon a simple and fool proof meal of bangers and mash to give the guys a taste of our home. I needed the help and guidance of Deliha as my yorkshire pudding was less than successful but they were not to know!
And now here I am hardly able to believe that I am soon to be at home drinking tea with fresh milk again and able to understand what is going on around me without having to strain to hear the few words of Spanish I know.
Well I think I must go now as soon I will be in the air far above the country which I have grown to love.
Well let me do a little round up of the latest happenings since my return from Pisco. Well I quickly settled back in to Lima life of seeing friends, surfing and visiting the sights of the city. Vladi and I took a nice trip to see the huge dusty and sandy desert site of Patuchamac just outside Lima. Two explorers we climbed to pyramids giving us a great view across the lima valley and to the sea. Vladi has also been a guide taking me to the Inka markets and bargening on all the brilliant and colourful things I have bought without his help I think I would have been severely Gringoed!
Apart from the above I have been idle enjoying just sitting and chatting with friends meeting people on the beach such as Ross and his Peruvian dancer friend with whom I indulged in mid afternoon pisco sours and cocktails before having to visit the super market feeling rather tight as your grandmother might say and cooking up a meal for the Peruvian guys to say thanks for all they have done for me. Nazzer and I making up the British contingent of our group of friends decided upon a simple and fool proof meal of bangers and mash to give the guys a taste of our home. I needed the help and guidance of Deliha as my yorkshire pudding was less than successful but they were not to know!
And now here I am hardly able to believe that I am soon to be at home drinking tea with fresh milk again and able to understand what is going on around me without having to strain to hear the few words of Spanish I know.
Well I think I must go now as soon I will be in the air far above the country which I have grown to love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
