Sunday, 10 June 2007

"Shiny happy people holding hands"

Listening to Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.

To do the last two weekends justice, this post would need photos but as I don't have a camera in London, my words will attempt convey what the eyes saw and what the heart felt.

Saturday (a week ago), dawned bright with the sun smiling down on Londoners and visitors. After a grilling gym workout, as I walked towards Hyde Park, I contacted a colleague to ask if he wanted to meet up that evening. He couldn't. But, he invited me to the barbeque he was going to that evening! The evening was fun, simple and interesting. With a French man, an Indian girl, three Slovakians, one Austrian and a Paraguayan (?), the conversation around the wooden bench in the lush green lawn at the student residences was bound to be fun. Ofcourse the Slovakian fellow hosting took great pleasure in picking on my 'vegetarianism'. Vegetarianism? Oi! I was born and brought up a Vegetarian - way before the word Vegetarianism was coined. The evening ended with thoughts of going on the Sunday the next week down to Kew Gardens for a picnic and a game of frisbee. (Note: I might join the Ultimate Frisbee club at uni!)

The next day (Sunday) had been dedicated to the sport of tennis. The flatmate and I headed of looking cooler in our tennis gear than chilled water with a slice of lemon in a tall glass on a hot summer day. Yes, I have gear too! I was not prepared at all for how the day would twist and turn. When I arrived in London, Hyde Park took my breath away. As I entered Regent's Park, I could not help marvelling that human hands along with a little help from nature had managed to create such a beautiful and thrilling place. In search of the tennis courts, we (slowly) walked past the lake which was full of birds and 'birdlings', past the boat paddlers, across little bridges over 'giggling' streams (not gurgling, but giggling), past the Weeping Willows that looked like they belonged there, past the people picnicking and playing sports, past the London zoo and the smell of animals and a braying donkey till we came to a stop at what looked like a festival in one area of the Park. Postponing the idea of a game of tennis, Chantal and I dumped our bags and raquets (not rackets) on the grass and just lay in the sun - watching the families milling around and listening to a band play Irish tap dancey tunes. Lunch and a quick browse through the different stalls offering fortune readings, marinated olives, tattooes , yoga lessons, exotic fabrics and GREEN CARS AND BIKES, we continued on our 'Hunt for The Tennis Court'. Little did I know that there was more in store for us. What I saw next reminded me of one of my favourite books of all time - The Secret Garden. Speaking like Ladies, we decided to do join each other for a 'round of the garden'. And finally, at the end we spotted what we had spent 4 hours looking for. The courts were fully booked, so we indulged in some ice cream to cool off again as we watched other players play. When we left and reached our park entry point, the map at the park entrance indicated(very subtly) that the tennis courts were a 10 minute walk on the anti-clockwise route. We were destined to have a lovely, relaxing , surprising day.

This weekend's surprises? All in good time!

4 comments:

Colleen said...

Oooooh, how lovely. I like how taking the scenic route greatly softened the blow of missing out on tennis - a blessing in disguise. Beautiful.

:)

Jenn said...

When do I get to come take a stroll with you? That sounds lovely.

Ace said...

Colleen, it was the first time ever for my seeing a folky festival outside a movie/tv show. You would have loved it.

Jenn, when you come to visit your parents ;) It was lovely and I guess I am here at the best time - spring/&summer.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work.

 
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