I arrived in London on a drab Thursday afternoon and, looking out onto the rain-stained, sad brick houses, I missed my beautiful San Francisco.
Yesterday was better. Torrential rain clouds made walking around Knightsbridge and South Kensington a bit of a battle with my flighty red umbrella but the sun peeped out occasionally and it just felt wonderful to be walking around town in spite of the damp.
I spent much of yesterday at the phenomenal Victoria and Albert Museum, specifically the new Jameel Gallery which has Islamic art and artifacts. Later, walking through Room 40 and looking at gowns by Worth or upstairs at the British Galleries I realized that having been schooled in the West (or as a Westerner even in Pureland) I know far more about American/British history (and Henry the VIII!) than I do about any Muslim king, dynasty or history.
London is beautiful, cosmopolitan - and jaw-droppingly expensive. In the US we take eating out and shopping for granted. Here even a trendy, affordable chain like H&M carries $140 shirts and it's not uncommon to drop $30 a head on a basic meal. I did have two wonderful meals though, one at Wagamama and the other at Alouna, the best Persian food I've ever had.
Whenever I travel abroad, even to Europe I am struck by how carefree and lavish our lives in Freeland are - everything is smaller and slower here and becomes more so the further East I go. It's not a bad thing necessarily - just different and it puts my lifestyle at home, simple though I deem it, into a better perspective.
Today of course the sun is out and it's just gorgeous as I prepare to leave for Heathrow and onwards to Islamabad. I've had a lovely time getting my traveling legs back after two years stuck in the US and seeing my three dear dear girlfriends has been wonderful.
I arrive tomorrow morning insha-Allah- on the anniversary of the earthquake.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
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5 comments:
London is a great walking city, but the best thing about it is that there is a Nimatullahi khaniqah there, with a wonderful Shaykh, may Allah bless him.
Ya Haqq!
I was just reflecting on the anniversay of the earthquake as well, Baraka, and it's so nice - for lack of a better word - to see someone else remembering it as well.
Thank you for the lovely update even in the midst of your travels.
Oh, and funny thing - I know FAR more about King Henry VIII than I do about any U.S. president. There were a couple of years when I was obsessed with reading all I could about him and his wives.
oh wagamama! you are making me nostalgic. though not for the prices, though--it's partly because the exchange rate has gotten so bad lately. and i envy you having seen the new jameel gallery; it was all still unopened when i was there this summer. safe travels, and i hope you're able to post photos and stories during your journey.
I hope the plane ride has been kind to you. I get tired at the thought, but inshaallah you are well. You make me nostalgic for London and my days of poverty and singledom.
Hmmmm... Little, tiny, slow meals for $30 each, or being able to stuff yourself to the gills with sushi for less than $20. I know which one I would take! :)
TMBCE sushi misses you, and I do too!
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