When I lived in Manila, my default breakfast during hectic (or extremely lazy) days, was black coffee and cereal with whole milk. In London, this has transitioned into a combination of black coffee and some type of bread and/or yogurt.
It's crazy how much of a "meal" traditional Filipino breakfasts are, though. In Manila, it isn't uncommon to see office workers, students, and all sorts of other folks having rice, egg, and caramelised pork slices (Tocino) for breakfast. My friends from Europe and America who have been to the Philippines are often surprised at Filipinos' appetite for "full meals" regardless of the time of day. I noticed that residents of Western countries tend to abide by specific quantity distinctions in line with different segments within a day. Filipinos aren't always as strict in this regard. To them, if you're hungry, you eat. It doesn't matter what time of day it is. It's part of an almost esoteric gastronomic doctrine for Pinoys. Many think it's crazy, but to Filipinos, it makes perfect, basic, sense.
I've been really lazy to cook lately, and this has not boded well for my meal spacing over a 24 hour cycle. My circadian rhythm has also been a little bit off kilter, ergo, my "breakfast time" tends to be pushed towards odd hours of the day. I think it may be a byproduct of the cold weather. The cold climate makes it hard to move.
I look forward to breakfast the most not only because I love to eat, but, also because there isn't anything quite like the perk up one experiences after getting the gurgles because of a long, calorie-less, slumber.
I guess this means that I have at least one reason to look forward to every morning, eh?
MC
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
144- Today at the Coffee House
I decided to have lunch today at a coffee house around five minutes away from where I live. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly waitress who, judging from her physical features, was clearly of Asian descent and roughly between 20-24 years old. She asked me where I was from. When I said I was Filipino, she was surprised and said she thought I was Japanese. That was a first. I have been mistaken to be Portuguese, Malaysian, Spanish, Singaporean, Chinese, and Indonesian during my time in London. Somehow, me being thought of as Japanese was fitting given that I have recently pondered on a trip to Tokyo to no end.
London is, without exaggeration, a melting pot of people. The diversity is staggering. A fellow postgraduate student from the Philippines once told me that the thing he would miss the most about being in the UK was how open people generally were to diversity. As with any country, I am pretty sure that GB has its share of folks who are not all too accepting of what they perceive to be "different". In general, however, people around here are used to a multicultural and multiracial mix. Taking the tube everyday should provide ample evidence of how people from different backgrounds exist side by side in London. A Filipino exchange student thumbs through his notes in preparation for an examination. A Swedish girl nervously taps her fingernails together as she prepares for a modelling audition. An African banker stares wearily out a darkened train window, dreading another 8 hour showdown with his worst enemy- spreadsheets which show low annual productivity. Different folks, different strokes. It's quite beautiful when you get right down to it.
As I sipped on my frothy cup of coffee, I tried to rationalize points A and B. People are inherently competitive, yes, but also seem to be inherently peaceful creatures when push comes to shove. I think people really do care about each others' welfare. This is brought into the realm of doubt, however, whenever we hear of cases of modern day racism, and instances involving senseless violence being perpetrated upon the weak for the sake of eliminating the weak. This embodies the age old conflict between faith and cynicism. Why trust when you can be alright on your own? Why help when you probably won't be helped when your time to fall, comes?
One cannot always be expected to be a Good Samaritan, but, whenever we do manage to right by our neighbors, we sleep more soundly at night. Peace, it seems, turns out to be the most valuable of all currencies. Many may deny it, but it's the truth. With togetherness, with acceptance, there is peace. With peace, there comes a chance to truly make the most of ourselves, and bring the world closer to "essence", as is mortally possible.
Deep, eh? It's amazing what a vegetarian platter and a relaxing lunch can do for the reflective process.
I really should avoid skipping meals.
MC
Saturday, December 23, 2017
143- Bus Journeys
I usually take the bus alone in London. In many ways, I like being alone while being so far away from home. It gives me a chance to think without being burdened by the usual stresses that being in "familiar surroundings", brings.
So there are the 29 and 141 buses which I take when I want to go into Central London from where I live. I connect to the 12, 176, and/or the 133 or 35 if I want to go further South, to where I USED to live and where my university is at. When I resided in Southeast London I would hop on the 68 or 148 whenever I wanted to catch a show in town, and I would grab the C10 whenever I needed to go to Victoria Train or Bus stations for a trip outside of London.
Living abroad has made my senses attuned to the smallest of details. Years from now, when I will likely find myself far from the British capital, I will probably remember small things about my time in London and the UK. How one need not own a TV set to be entertained (thank you, Netflix, Prime Video, etc.). How one who enjoys running has a seemingly endless supply of amazing spots to pound the ground on when in Britain. How I bolted off to Chesham one random summer Saturday to run several miles, only to later hop back on a Metropolitan Line tube train to Wembley Park later in the day to, well, bask in the glow of (sports) outlet stores. And oh, the many trips to the British and London Transport Museums, how could I forget those. The thrill of having run a full marathon in Brighton- a race that saw the demise of my Samsung S6 mobile phone (maybe it has gotten wet?). So many, many, stories to tell.
I am now on the 243 that goes from Waterloo station in the London Borough of Lambeth, all the way to Wood Green. Many people detest long bus rides. In some ways, I do too. However, it is these long bus rides that tend to ignite my creativity. Such represent moments of silence, away from the maddening crowd.
Riding buses in Manila could literally cost you your life, and driving in the same city definitely kills one's patience. Needless to say, I am enjoying as much "bus ride solace" as I possibly can.
MC
142- Holding Pattern.
From what I've observed, there is a bit of a trend at work here. Think Luke Skywalker in a medical tank after being bludgeoned by a wampa in Hoth. It's all about being in suspended animation.
I, along with a number of others, have just finished our postgraduate courses in London. So what becomes of us now?
Some of us never want to go home. Some of us see this as a time ripe for change. This is easier said than done, but certainly possible.
Some of us want to go home, but, want to fly again just as quickly. The allure of the "journey" is absolutely enticing. There are pros and cons, but, seemingly more advantages as opposed to downsides. The UK has its share of problems, but sometimes, its problems are dwarfed by those of our home countries. People instinctively go to where the "predators" are furthest from. Ergo, migration to lands anew happens.
This next month is set to feel like those annoying mandatory military training sessions in high school. Whether you like it or not, you're forced to march around parade grounds in circles, over, and over, again. Do you achieve anything, apart from supposedly learning the meaning of "discipline" and sweating off a few pounds? Not really. This next month will be chockfull of job applications, and yes, some travelling. Will I actually end up achieving anything of note? I'm not sure, actually. All I know is that it would be amazing if I could end my stint in the UK with bang, while landing my dream job, too.
MC
I, along with a number of others, have just finished our postgraduate courses in London. So what becomes of us now?
Some of us never want to go home. Some of us see this as a time ripe for change. This is easier said than done, but certainly possible.
Some of us want to go home, but, want to fly again just as quickly. The allure of the "journey" is absolutely enticing. There are pros and cons, but, seemingly more advantages as opposed to downsides. The UK has its share of problems, but sometimes, its problems are dwarfed by those of our home countries. People instinctively go to where the "predators" are furthest from. Ergo, migration to lands anew happens.
This next month is set to feel like those annoying mandatory military training sessions in high school. Whether you like it or not, you're forced to march around parade grounds in circles, over, and over, again. Do you achieve anything, apart from supposedly learning the meaning of "discipline" and sweating off a few pounds? Not really. This next month will be chockfull of job applications, and yes, some travelling. Will I actually end up achieving anything of note? I'm not sure, actually. All I know is that it would be amazing if I could end my stint in the UK with bang, while landing my dream job, too.
MC
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
141- Friends
God gave us friends for us to understand the intermediate area between love and apathy. Friends provide a unique brand of support that transcends terminology, and convention. To love is to feel both empowered, and pained. To have friends is to exist within a threshold of appreciation that tends to stretch further than with what those who claim to have "deeper" relationships with you might care to give.
Don't get me wrong- some friends will absolutely die for you. Some will give up their last biscuit for you. Some will hand you their brand new designer hanky when you find yourself fresh off a good cry. Friends are just that- friends. These are associations with limits- good ones. Meaningful ones. Limits are made to be surprisingly shattered in positive ways.
Friends are just friends, no more, no less. And yes, a life without them would be far too ordinary.
Keep the friends you have. Be a friend to those who need friends. Don't ever be a stranger. Mean something to someone.
MC
Friday, December 15, 2017
140- Songs in My Head.
When I go on long trips, I love staring out of windows of cars, trains, and planes. When I do that, I tend to hear songs in my head, echoes that represent a mish mash of memories, emotions, and random bits and bobs. I recall places I have been to, and people I have met- both held in great fondness in a narrative full of smiles and cheer, and those whom you would rather not remember, distant flashes from time gone by.
I look back on near misses, victories, moments of loss, neutral instances, strengths, weaknesses. I tell myself that I need to bask in the glory of moments, because these are increments of time and space that are forever gone once they have passed. It is both tragic and beautifully poetic.
Today, I find myself on the road again. As I sit on this Greater Anglia train, with a large cup of joe and a silly looking beanie hat, I almost want to blurt out into the air:
"Hey world. What wonders do you have for me today?"
Breakfast, for a start, would be good. :)
MC
Thursday, December 14, 2017
139- Beautiful Days
There's an old saying which basically says that we should appreciate the beauty before us, lest it vanish forever.
Well, I think I might have made that one up, but, you get the point.
Here's a photo I snapped with my Samsung S7's camera one nondescript afternoon in North London. The sky was perfectly azure that day, and there wasn't a drop of rain in sight. After over a year as a Londoner, I've learned that good weather, beautiful skies- all that can sometimes be a rarity.
Soon, I'll be travelling again. I have a home to return to. At the same time, London has been my home for some time now, and I've seen, experienced, and learned a whole lot. I've grown to become more logical than emotional in recent years, but who knows. This farewell might be more predicated on feelings than I had initially anticipated.
Good times folks, good times.
MC
Thursday, December 7, 2017
138- After a Pint...
A little over a month to go. The last few months have dissolved into memory so, so, quickly.
Schoolwork, other bits and bobs, health setbacks due to the winter, trouble going to sleep, stress. The cold. The cold wind is the worst. Being lazy to do groceries. Not good. Retail therapy. Headaches. Life.
It's funny that in a couple of weeks, I will find myself saying goodbye to London and saying hello to a new life in an old place. It's scary and exciting at the same time.
2018 will be interesting. Based on the rules of fate, the complexion of the year could go either way.
We have no recourse but to live in a perpetual state of flux, and perpetual state of having to adjust.
That's the way it goes.
MC
Friday, November 24, 2017
137- Insomnia
Together with two luggages and a backpack, I brought my recurring thyroid problem to London in 2016. There have been ups and downs in the last ten years since I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Bouts of insomnia are part and parcel of having a bum thyroid. Such has provided me with moments of enlightenment, and moments of despair.
Despair because, it can be utterly tiring to not be able to get some shut eye despite being tired after a day of work. It drains you beyond your spare tank, so to speak.
Enlightenment, because, it's times when you're wide awake, and the rest of the world is likely to be asleep, that some of the best tidbits of your creative outputs, tend to emerge (this is the case, at least for me).
I would still rather get a good night's rest instead of having to sleepwalk through the day, though. It's a cycle that tends to be difficult to break (especially in during the winter season).
And so, the last leg of my London journey continues. Beneath the shadows cast by Alexandra Palace in the North, I walk on.
MC
Despair because, it can be utterly tiring to not be able to get some shut eye despite being tired after a day of work. It drains you beyond your spare tank, so to speak.
Enlightenment, because, it's times when you're wide awake, and the rest of the world is likely to be asleep, that some of the best tidbits of your creative outputs, tend to emerge (this is the case, at least for me).
I would still rather get a good night's rest instead of having to sleepwalk through the day, though. It's a cycle that tends to be difficult to break (especially in during the winter season).
And so, the last leg of my London journey continues. Beneath the shadows cast by Alexandra Palace in the North, I walk on.
MC
Monday, November 20, 2017
136- Curious Bear Moments: Hatton Cross
In a social media post from a few months ago, I listed down some London Underground tube station names which I thought stood out from the lot. One of the places I mentioned was Hatton Cross, a place on the Western edge of the Picadilly Line, located at the doorstep of Heathrow Airport.
Hatton Cross. I'd use it to ID a secret rebel base in some far flung corner of the galaxy- tucked away enough not to be detected even by a certain Lord Vader. Okay, I've been drinking too much of the Star Wars Kool Aid again.
After some Google-ing and Wikipedia-ing, I've discovered that Hatton Cross in the present day is the site of many industrial buildings which carry out services to the nearby Heathrow aviation hub, the busiest in all of Europe. Wikipedia says that Hatton does not have a post office, but has, you guessed it- a Tesco. I've passed Hatton Cross station a couple of times on the Piccadilly Line, but have never actually gone down there to take a look around. To date, the what I know about the location is limited to what I've read online, and what I have gathered from anecdotes from friends (my friends Patricia and Francis lived there for a while, revealing the fact one night as we shared a pint and a couple of stories in a Marylebone pub by saying, "Hey, we'll have to go ahead. We live in Hatton Cross. That's really far from here. You know, Zone 6").
I am inevitably led to compare what I see here, with what we have back home in the Philippines. The international airport in Manila is too close to the city centre, hence, making getting to the airport a real pain. Manila does not have good train and road systems due to poor urban planning (and presumably, due to the lack of funds as a result of countless corruption scandals). It's funny. We have our own "Hatton Crosses" (e.g. Subic, Clark), but no train system that goes through said locations. Seeing the world is quite a spectacle. At the same time, taking your coat and parasol and riding locomotives to strange lands can inevitably lead you to compare what you see with what you have in your backyard. That's when the tears begin to flow. Curious bear feels down once he realizes that he's been eating fake honey.
In the end, I might be hit with welcome surprises, though. We may have a mecha-robot hidden somewhere in Pampanga or Bulacan that I am not aware of. That robot may just be able to save us before it's too late.
Rambling, No Shamblin',
MC
Hatton Cross. I'd use it to ID a secret rebel base in some far flung corner of the galaxy- tucked away enough not to be detected even by a certain Lord Vader. Okay, I've been drinking too much of the Star Wars Kool Aid again.
After some Google-ing and Wikipedia-ing, I've discovered that Hatton Cross in the present day is the site of many industrial buildings which carry out services to the nearby Heathrow aviation hub, the busiest in all of Europe. Wikipedia says that Hatton does not have a post office, but has, you guessed it- a Tesco. I've passed Hatton Cross station a couple of times on the Piccadilly Line, but have never actually gone down there to take a look around. To date, the what I know about the location is limited to what I've read online, and what I have gathered from anecdotes from friends (my friends Patricia and Francis lived there for a while, revealing the fact one night as we shared a pint and a couple of stories in a Marylebone pub by saying, "Hey, we'll have to go ahead. We live in Hatton Cross. That's really far from here. You know, Zone 6").
I am inevitably led to compare what I see here, with what we have back home in the Philippines. The international airport in Manila is too close to the city centre, hence, making getting to the airport a real pain. Manila does not have good train and road systems due to poor urban planning (and presumably, due to the lack of funds as a result of countless corruption scandals). It's funny. We have our own "Hatton Crosses" (e.g. Subic, Clark), but no train system that goes through said locations. Seeing the world is quite a spectacle. At the same time, taking your coat and parasol and riding locomotives to strange lands can inevitably lead you to compare what you see with what you have in your backyard. That's when the tears begin to flow. Curious bear feels down once he realizes that he's been eating fake honey.
In the end, I might be hit with welcome surprises, though. We may have a mecha-robot hidden somewhere in Pampanga or Bulacan that I am not aware of. That robot may just be able to save us before it's too late.
Rambling, No Shamblin',
MC
Friday, November 17, 2017
135- You Always Remember Your First.
An utterly scratched up, overused, cliche, this one.
"You always remember your first."
-Your first love.
-First day at university.
-First this, first that.
When I moved to London in 2016, my first stop (apart from Heathrow Airport) was Walworth Road, in Elephant and Castle. From what I've learned, this section of the borough of Southwark, has got itself quite a reputation. Some have said that this part of South London is shady, unsafe, and economically downtrodden. Others have said that Elephant and Castle is emerging as a hipster haven, with new coffeeshops and artistic spaces popping up left and right. But what is Elephant and Castle to me? Compared to other folks, I tend to take a "Penny Lane" approach to places I live in. I say this because I tend to be fascinated by what goes into fully immersing one's self in a neighborhood, and not just being a passer-by. I did live in Elephant and Castle for a good year, and so, I do have quite a few things to say about it- from the silly, to the serious, from the essential, to the utterly mundane.
Shopping For Essentials
Every neighborhood needs a set of grocery stores to help keep mums, kids, and students like myself fully stocked with grub. My apartment was situated at the mouth (or early on into Walworth Road from the Elephant and Castle tube station) of Walworth Road. Given this, one had four options for getting groceries sans having to go too far.
*The Shopping Center- Ah, yes, the Elephant and Castle shopping center. Gritty, grimy, with a functioning branch of Gregg's, Peacocks, and Boots. And oh, the joint's got a Tesco that's been around since the sixties (I think), and an Iceland. And oh, there's a Poundland there too. For things like tissue paper, cotton swabs, energy bars, and the occasional bottled drink (I purchased a bottle of water there once when my friend Joven and I decided to have dinner at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant), I'd usually go to Poundland. For good meat, good heat-them-up-and-you're-set food, and cheap five liter bottles of water (I later discovered it was cheaper to buy numerous smaller bottles from places like Sainsbury and Lidl), I'd head over to Iceland. For juice, soya milk, breakfast breads, and yogurt, I'd do Tesco. Yes, I am a bit of a supermarket nerd.
*The Asian Joint Adjacent to My Building- Oh Aobaba, how I miss you. Aobaba is a chain store that consists of an Asian grocery, and a small Asian cafe. The prices of supermarket good there, to my recollection, were pretty high, so, I'd only buy from there if laziness struck and I needed to address an Asian food fix with dumplings or salt and pepper beef. As for the Asian cafe, I have a lot of good memories associated with the place. This was the first restaurant I had a proper meal in in London, the first place where I ate in with friends, where I'd get Vietnamese noodles before and after doing tough school assignments, and where I'd go after school for dinner on cold days for some squid and a Banh Mi. I may live miles from and E & C now, but whenever I do get the chance to head South, I always visit (or at least consider going to) Aobaba.
*Further Down Walworth- As one goes further down Walworth High Road, one encounters a bevy of shopping options. There's Sam's Convenience Store for little knick knacks and cheap sports drinks (stopped buying the ones Sam's sold after awhile after determining that the sugar content was way too high). I also recall buying my first pieces of Tupperware when I first got to London, from Sam's. Then you have your token Tesco Express, with goods priced slightly higher (sometimes) than stuff you can buy at larger Tesco outlets, but frequently visited by residents nonetheless due to its strategic location and long operating hours (it was the only supermarket along Walworth open past five o'clock in the afternoon on Sundays...it was a lifesaver especially after evening gym sessions). After Tesco, you'd see Morisson's Southwark, or MoMo, as I like to call it. I think I enjoyed shopping at Morisson's the most, given that the prices were lower than Tesco, Sainsbury, Iceland, and Aobaba, and because the place had a lot to offer- from shrimp curry dishes, to baked chicken, to microwaveable rice, to rice crackers, to good fruits, veg, and breads. And oh, I got myself a MoMo More Card. So there, I've professed my love for MoMo. I'd also bump into my friend Kat a lot in this part of town, not too surprising considering that Kat worked, lived, and went to church near Walworth Road. Past MoMo, there was another Poundland, an Iceland, and Tesco Camberwell. The case of Tesco Camberwell is quite interesting. The shop would work with long operating hours just like the Tesco Express nearer my flat. I'd buy last minute snacks and rations from here after working out on some nights, given that this Tesco branch was located just two doors down from my gym (The Gym Walworth Road).
*CeX Walworth- The store I'd always visit for browsing, but never for buying. I think I've gone to so many branches of CeX to browse (Wood Green, Tooting Broadway, Cambridge, Newcastle, etc. etc. etc.) but have never ended up buying anything because of sudden moments of me telling myself, "oh you don't need that", or, "I can just get that DVD from Amazon or Ebay". Eye candy for sure, but that's it. Just eye candy. "How much is that doggie in the window?" moments galore.
The Gym
Among the gym chains in London which I've encountered over the past year (Easygym, Virgin, Fitness First, etc.), The Gym always managed to fit my needs, and my budget, perfectly. The place managed to offer me a no-frills, all business, venue within which I could train, relax my mind, and kick myself in the ass. I've spent many a day at gyms pondering on life, trying to get over a bad day, a bad decision, or, pushing myself towards getting physically and mentally stronger in preparation for a race. Loyal customer here, folks, as I've found myself moving my membership to a branch of The Gym near where I live today.
Being an exercise club member does have its quirky moments. I remember always seeing this gentleman in a hoodie, in The Gym at Walworth. He would sit on one of the leg curl machines and eat, and listen to music via his gigantic headphones. I'm not sure how much work he'd actually get in, but he certainly always did seem relaxed. Then there would be knowing which treadmills to use, and which to avoid. Some treadmills at the place would have loose belts, which would then make slipping off the darn thing and making a scene a distinct possibility. Avoid treadmill five, row two, from the left side of the gym. It'll toss you off it like no one's business.
Central Perks
Living at the E & C meant being in London's Zone 1. Being in Zone 1 means being in close proximity to the city center. Because this is South East London we're talking about, this also meant living near the River Thames, and some pretty famous bridges. I can say that I've done long runs wherein I've crossed London, Lambeth, Victoria, Battersea, Waterloo, Blackfriars, Southwark, and Millennium bridges over my time in the UK. That's how much I love running, running in London, and running by the water. I'd run for miles and miles from my flat at the E & C, going through to places like Kensington and Victoria in the West, towards Stratford in the East, to Clapham in the South, or, just around the many side roads which would bring me around places like Kennington Road, Vauxhall, Waterloo, and Bermondsey in case I didn't have the luxury of time, or, in case the weather wasn't being cooperative. I've resigned myself to exploring cities through running. I've done running in North London too, but, there's something about living in the South, near the river, that made things a wee bit more engrossing.
The Wheels of the Bus Go Round and Round
One of the things I liked about living along Walworth Road was that you could hop on a bus that would take you as far east as Stratford City, and as far west as Shepherd's Bush. Everything seemed within reach from this little enclave in South East London. A National Rail station, along with Bakerloo and Northern Line Tube stations, were also always within reach.
Whenever I wanted to save on a few bucks, I'd avoid walking over to New Kent Road to take the number 1 or number 188 bus to Canada Water. Why? Because Canada Water houses a branch of renowned sports outlet Decathlon (which just recently opened a branch in Manila). Me going into Decathlon with a loaded debit card equals me going home with a boatload of new stuff. Good, but not good. Not good, but good.
Surprises
On the outside, the E & C may seem like a drab part of London, but in between the old flats and antiquated shopping centre, lay some surprises. There was the Coronet Theatre, a venue that opened in 1879, and one that claims to have hosted performances by Charlie Chaplain (who was born in Southwark) way back when. The place has dodged moves to have it demolished, but, according to some articles I've read, may be in real danger of kissing the sledgehammer in 2018. I've been in the place for some independent wrestling shows over the past year (WCPW, now Defiant Wrestling). The authorities should at least consider renovating the place before concluding that it needs to be torn down. Historical sites are always worth saving.
Then there's Mercato Metropolitano near South Bank University London. Expensive food, yes, but a nice atmosphere to bask in over a bottle of vino with friends. The station building for the E & C's Bakerloo Line has been preserved, and rightfully so, given its classic red, terra-cotta tile, Leslie Green exterior. Further down the road, you'll find Geraldine Mary Harmsworth park, a patch of green that would often house its share of local weirdos (some blokes who'd had way too much to drink), active types (bikers, and runners like yours truly), and families and lovebirds out for a stroll (especially in the summertime). A notable gem within the park is the Imperial War Museum, which moved to GMHP in 1936 from Crystal Palace. The place houses an fairly extensive collection of artifacts from World Wars 1 and 2. Their holocaust exhibition, which I went to earlier this year, infused me and a friend from school with enough grief to last a lifetime. Enthralling, but oh so sad.
E & C is just a short, pleasant, walk from the Lambeth North, Blackfriars, and Waterloo areas. I've passed through these roads countless times over the past year during training runs. I'd pass Lambeth North whenever I wanted to run through to Westminster. I'd head off to Waterloo, well, to pass Wasabi in Waterloo's National Rail station at the end of my run to buy dinner before walking back home to Walworth. I'd do Blackfriars whenever I'd opt to run East, or, run down through South Bank, or, make an alternate approach to London Bridge.
Before I Flew Over
I did research on the E & C before moving to London in 2016. Initially, I was worried that I'd be moving to a rather unsafe place, given that the first video that comes up on Youtube when you search "Elephant and Castle Walworth Road", is footage of riots that occurred along Walworth in 2011. Then I read about the infamous Heygate Estate that was described in a number of pieces I encountered as a hotbed for crime. A few weeks before I moved in, a dead body was found in one of the side streets adjacent to Walworth High Street.
While it is only logical for one to worry upon reading stuff like this, I did try to keep an open mind upon leaving the Philippines. Every big city in the world has its share of gritty districts, and in a number of ways, the E & C is one of London's rougher areas. Rough, yes, but there are places far more dangerous, and intimidating. All in all, my year there turned out to be one without incident, save for one time when a bunch of drunk local youths jeered at me for no apparent reason as I walked home from the gym on an otherwise nondescript Sunday evening.
Postscript
I will always remember the E & C to be my first port of call in London. The place has its positives, and its negatives, but all in all, I'm thankful to have experienced a less glamorous part of London first before having been exposed to the city's more posh sections. Living in South East London gave me a sense of perspective about how typical Londoners lived their daily lives, and the fact that my school was so near home didn't hurt, either.
Things have come full circle for me in the span of a year. From beginning my postgraduate student journey in the South, to now, concluding it as a Northerner, the entire London experience has been a blast. For a time, I got the chance to "be", and not just "pass through".
I've got so many more stories to tell. I'd be glad to share more here. I just had to begin at E & C, though, as that's where my airport taxi left me and my bags one chilly September evening in 2016.
MC
"You always remember your first."
-Your first love.
-First day at university.
-First this, first that.
When I moved to London in 2016, my first stop (apart from Heathrow Airport) was Walworth Road, in Elephant and Castle. From what I've learned, this section of the borough of Southwark, has got itself quite a reputation. Some have said that this part of South London is shady, unsafe, and economically downtrodden. Others have said that Elephant and Castle is emerging as a hipster haven, with new coffeeshops and artistic spaces popping up left and right. But what is Elephant and Castle to me? Compared to other folks, I tend to take a "Penny Lane" approach to places I live in. I say this because I tend to be fascinated by what goes into fully immersing one's self in a neighborhood, and not just being a passer-by. I did live in Elephant and Castle for a good year, and so, I do have quite a few things to say about it- from the silly, to the serious, from the essential, to the utterly mundane.
Shopping For Essentials
Every neighborhood needs a set of grocery stores to help keep mums, kids, and students like myself fully stocked with grub. My apartment was situated at the mouth (or early on into Walworth Road from the Elephant and Castle tube station) of Walworth Road. Given this, one had four options for getting groceries sans having to go too far.
*The Shopping Center- Ah, yes, the Elephant and Castle shopping center. Gritty, grimy, with a functioning branch of Gregg's, Peacocks, and Boots. And oh, the joint's got a Tesco that's been around since the sixties (I think), and an Iceland. And oh, there's a Poundland there too. For things like tissue paper, cotton swabs, energy bars, and the occasional bottled drink (I purchased a bottle of water there once when my friend Joven and I decided to have dinner at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant), I'd usually go to Poundland. For good meat, good heat-them-up-and-you're-set food, and cheap five liter bottles of water (I later discovered it was cheaper to buy numerous smaller bottles from places like Sainsbury and Lidl), I'd head over to Iceland. For juice, soya milk, breakfast breads, and yogurt, I'd do Tesco. Yes, I am a bit of a supermarket nerd.
*The Asian Joint Adjacent to My Building- Oh Aobaba, how I miss you. Aobaba is a chain store that consists of an Asian grocery, and a small Asian cafe. The prices of supermarket good there, to my recollection, were pretty high, so, I'd only buy from there if laziness struck and I needed to address an Asian food fix with dumplings or salt and pepper beef. As for the Asian cafe, I have a lot of good memories associated with the place. This was the first restaurant I had a proper meal in in London, the first place where I ate in with friends, where I'd get Vietnamese noodles before and after doing tough school assignments, and where I'd go after school for dinner on cold days for some squid and a Banh Mi. I may live miles from and E & C now, but whenever I do get the chance to head South, I always visit (or at least consider going to) Aobaba.
*Further Down Walworth- As one goes further down Walworth High Road, one encounters a bevy of shopping options. There's Sam's Convenience Store for little knick knacks and cheap sports drinks (stopped buying the ones Sam's sold after awhile after determining that the sugar content was way too high). I also recall buying my first pieces of Tupperware when I first got to London, from Sam's. Then you have your token Tesco Express, with goods priced slightly higher (sometimes) than stuff you can buy at larger Tesco outlets, but frequently visited by residents nonetheless due to its strategic location and long operating hours (it was the only supermarket along Walworth open past five o'clock in the afternoon on Sundays...it was a lifesaver especially after evening gym sessions). After Tesco, you'd see Morisson's Southwark, or MoMo, as I like to call it. I think I enjoyed shopping at Morisson's the most, given that the prices were lower than Tesco, Sainsbury, Iceland, and Aobaba, and because the place had a lot to offer- from shrimp curry dishes, to baked chicken, to microwaveable rice, to rice crackers, to good fruits, veg, and breads. And oh, I got myself a MoMo More Card. So there, I've professed my love for MoMo. I'd also bump into my friend Kat a lot in this part of town, not too surprising considering that Kat worked, lived, and went to church near Walworth Road. Past MoMo, there was another Poundland, an Iceland, and Tesco Camberwell. The case of Tesco Camberwell is quite interesting. The shop would work with long operating hours just like the Tesco Express nearer my flat. I'd buy last minute snacks and rations from here after working out on some nights, given that this Tesco branch was located just two doors down from my gym (The Gym Walworth Road).
*CeX Walworth- The store I'd always visit for browsing, but never for buying. I think I've gone to so many branches of CeX to browse (Wood Green, Tooting Broadway, Cambridge, Newcastle, etc. etc. etc.) but have never ended up buying anything because of sudden moments of me telling myself, "oh you don't need that", or, "I can just get that DVD from Amazon or Ebay". Eye candy for sure, but that's it. Just eye candy. "How much is that doggie in the window?" moments galore.
The Gym
Among the gym chains in London which I've encountered over the past year (Easygym, Virgin, Fitness First, etc.), The Gym always managed to fit my needs, and my budget, perfectly. The place managed to offer me a no-frills, all business, venue within which I could train, relax my mind, and kick myself in the ass. I've spent many a day at gyms pondering on life, trying to get over a bad day, a bad decision, or, pushing myself towards getting physically and mentally stronger in preparation for a race. Loyal customer here, folks, as I've found myself moving my membership to a branch of The Gym near where I live today.
Being an exercise club member does have its quirky moments. I remember always seeing this gentleman in a hoodie, in The Gym at Walworth. He would sit on one of the leg curl machines and eat, and listen to music via his gigantic headphones. I'm not sure how much work he'd actually get in, but he certainly always did seem relaxed. Then there would be knowing which treadmills to use, and which to avoid. Some treadmills at the place would have loose belts, which would then make slipping off the darn thing and making a scene a distinct possibility. Avoid treadmill five, row two, from the left side of the gym. It'll toss you off it like no one's business.
Central Perks
Living at the E & C meant being in London's Zone 1. Being in Zone 1 means being in close proximity to the city center. Because this is South East London we're talking about, this also meant living near the River Thames, and some pretty famous bridges. I can say that I've done long runs wherein I've crossed London, Lambeth, Victoria, Battersea, Waterloo, Blackfriars, Southwark, and Millennium bridges over my time in the UK. That's how much I love running, running in London, and running by the water. I'd run for miles and miles from my flat at the E & C, going through to places like Kensington and Victoria in the West, towards Stratford in the East, to Clapham in the South, or, just around the many side roads which would bring me around places like Kennington Road, Vauxhall, Waterloo, and Bermondsey in case I didn't have the luxury of time, or, in case the weather wasn't being cooperative. I've resigned myself to exploring cities through running. I've done running in North London too, but, there's something about living in the South, near the river, that made things a wee bit more engrossing.
The Wheels of the Bus Go Round and Round
One of the things I liked about living along Walworth Road was that you could hop on a bus that would take you as far east as Stratford City, and as far west as Shepherd's Bush. Everything seemed within reach from this little enclave in South East London. A National Rail station, along with Bakerloo and Northern Line Tube stations, were also always within reach.
Whenever I wanted to save on a few bucks, I'd avoid walking over to New Kent Road to take the number 1 or number 188 bus to Canada Water. Why? Because Canada Water houses a branch of renowned sports outlet Decathlon (which just recently opened a branch in Manila). Me going into Decathlon with a loaded debit card equals me going home with a boatload of new stuff. Good, but not good. Not good, but good.
Surprises
On the outside, the E & C may seem like a drab part of London, but in between the old flats and antiquated shopping centre, lay some surprises. There was the Coronet Theatre, a venue that opened in 1879, and one that claims to have hosted performances by Charlie Chaplain (who was born in Southwark) way back when. The place has dodged moves to have it demolished, but, according to some articles I've read, may be in real danger of kissing the sledgehammer in 2018. I've been in the place for some independent wrestling shows over the past year (WCPW, now Defiant Wrestling). The authorities should at least consider renovating the place before concluding that it needs to be torn down. Historical sites are always worth saving.
Then there's Mercato Metropolitano near South Bank University London. Expensive food, yes, but a nice atmosphere to bask in over a bottle of vino with friends. The station building for the E & C's Bakerloo Line has been preserved, and rightfully so, given its classic red, terra-cotta tile, Leslie Green exterior. Further down the road, you'll find Geraldine Mary Harmsworth park, a patch of green that would often house its share of local weirdos (some blokes who'd had way too much to drink), active types (bikers, and runners like yours truly), and families and lovebirds out for a stroll (especially in the summertime). A notable gem within the park is the Imperial War Museum, which moved to GMHP in 1936 from Crystal Palace. The place houses an fairly extensive collection of artifacts from World Wars 1 and 2. Their holocaust exhibition, which I went to earlier this year, infused me and a friend from school with enough grief to last a lifetime. Enthralling, but oh so sad.
E & C is just a short, pleasant, walk from the Lambeth North, Blackfriars, and Waterloo areas. I've passed through these roads countless times over the past year during training runs. I'd pass Lambeth North whenever I wanted to run through to Westminster. I'd head off to Waterloo, well, to pass Wasabi in Waterloo's National Rail station at the end of my run to buy dinner before walking back home to Walworth. I'd do Blackfriars whenever I'd opt to run East, or, run down through South Bank, or, make an alternate approach to London Bridge.
Before I Flew Over
I did research on the E & C before moving to London in 2016. Initially, I was worried that I'd be moving to a rather unsafe place, given that the first video that comes up on Youtube when you search "Elephant and Castle Walworth Road", is footage of riots that occurred along Walworth in 2011. Then I read about the infamous Heygate Estate that was described in a number of pieces I encountered as a hotbed for crime. A few weeks before I moved in, a dead body was found in one of the side streets adjacent to Walworth High Street.
While it is only logical for one to worry upon reading stuff like this, I did try to keep an open mind upon leaving the Philippines. Every big city in the world has its share of gritty districts, and in a number of ways, the E & C is one of London's rougher areas. Rough, yes, but there are places far more dangerous, and intimidating. All in all, my year there turned out to be one without incident, save for one time when a bunch of drunk local youths jeered at me for no apparent reason as I walked home from the gym on an otherwise nondescript Sunday evening.
Postscript
I will always remember the E & C to be my first port of call in London. The place has its positives, and its negatives, but all in all, I'm thankful to have experienced a less glamorous part of London first before having been exposed to the city's more posh sections. Living in South East London gave me a sense of perspective about how typical Londoners lived their daily lives, and the fact that my school was so near home didn't hurt, either.
Things have come full circle for me in the span of a year. From beginning my postgraduate student journey in the South, to now, concluding it as a Northerner, the entire London experience has been a blast. For a time, I got the chance to "be", and not just "pass through".
I've got so many more stories to tell. I'd be glad to share more here. I just had to begin at E & C, though, as that's where my airport taxi left me and my bags one chilly September evening in 2016.
MC
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
134- Tales from the City: Game Over Name.
One night not too long ago, I found myself walking along Oxford Street, off for a bite to eat after a long afternoon of work in our university's fashion college campus. If you've been to Oxford Street, you'd know that the place is brand name-landia. H & M, Adidas, Nike, etc. If you can think it, you'll see it on Oxford Street. The place is London's high street of high streets.
There's a basketball cliche that a lot of would-be analysts love to bandy about. "Game over Name", they say. It makes perfect sense. It's just so darn cliche, though. It's sort of like saying that London IS Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. In reality, it is so much more than just uber-touristy nonsense.
I do a lot of running, and what I am about to talk about is based purely on my experience, and not any scientific or economic data. I do not like using Nike trainers for workouts, or races. The shoes often look like a million bucks, but perform like something you got for far less than a tenner. The shoes are often stiff, and in the long run, they aren't really very durable. You would be far better off investing in a pair of kicks by Asics or New Balance. Now there's value for money.
All to often, we get caught up in being brand conscious. Brand loyalty is different from brand consciousness. Being loyal to a particular label can mean you sticking to the same pair of trainers, the same coffee shop, or the same brand of laptops, for valid reasons. Maybe your preferred brand can keep up with your busy lifestyle- or your penchant for dropping things on concrete. Perhaps your favorite coffee shop not only serves you up delicious, reasonably-priced coffee, but, also managed to have one of their baristas chat you up and calm you down before another day in the salt mines. Your chosen product, your weapon of choice, may hold such a distinction not because of flair- but rather, because of how far it can and will go, when push comes to shove.
I have noticed that I've gone all "stream of consciousness" with my recent blog entries. This is good. Living in London can tend to make the imagination of an international postgraduate student like myself wander endlessly. Imagination is the main ingredient for brilliant realities. I believe that. I've seen it happen. Hey, if I really do have to go back home to the Philippines in a couple of months, then I might as well take advantage of having castles and ancient roads and estuaries being as close to me as gum is to an unwilling piece of pavement.
So, "Game over Name". Yeah, that makes sense. I hope to be able to get my masters' degree soon. Once I get the extra letters after my name, I'll get to prove whether I can live up to that old basketball cliche.
Soon, I will once again find myself having to start over.
MC
There's a basketball cliche that a lot of would-be analysts love to bandy about. "Game over Name", they say. It makes perfect sense. It's just so darn cliche, though. It's sort of like saying that London IS Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. In reality, it is so much more than just uber-touristy nonsense.
I do a lot of running, and what I am about to talk about is based purely on my experience, and not any scientific or economic data. I do not like using Nike trainers for workouts, or races. The shoes often look like a million bucks, but perform like something you got for far less than a tenner. The shoes are often stiff, and in the long run, they aren't really very durable. You would be far better off investing in a pair of kicks by Asics or New Balance. Now there's value for money.
All to often, we get caught up in being brand conscious. Brand loyalty is different from brand consciousness. Being loyal to a particular label can mean you sticking to the same pair of trainers, the same coffee shop, or the same brand of laptops, for valid reasons. Maybe your preferred brand can keep up with your busy lifestyle- or your penchant for dropping things on concrete. Perhaps your favorite coffee shop not only serves you up delicious, reasonably-priced coffee, but, also managed to have one of their baristas chat you up and calm you down before another day in the salt mines. Your chosen product, your weapon of choice, may hold such a distinction not because of flair- but rather, because of how far it can and will go, when push comes to shove.
I have noticed that I've gone all "stream of consciousness" with my recent blog entries. This is good. Living in London can tend to make the imagination of an international postgraduate student like myself wander endlessly. Imagination is the main ingredient for brilliant realities. I believe that. I've seen it happen. Hey, if I really do have to go back home to the Philippines in a couple of months, then I might as well take advantage of having castles and ancient roads and estuaries being as close to me as gum is to an unwilling piece of pavement.
So, "Game over Name". Yeah, that makes sense. I hope to be able to get my masters' degree soon. Once I get the extra letters after my name, I'll get to prove whether I can live up to that old basketball cliche.
Soon, I will once again find myself having to start over.
MC
Monday, November 13, 2017
133- Tales from the City: Ramen and Books During My Commute
Today I had ramen with two friends in the city. As I walked to the ramen house from Farringdon, it dawned upon me that winter was indeed ready to knock the proverbial door down. My coat and thermal shirt felt useless. My face was slowly frosted by unrelenting wind.
One of my friends had told me about a 5 pound ramen offer on Mondays. Sadly, the establishment decided to go with buy one, take one buns for this Monday. Sad. No cheap ramen. The company was engaging, the ramen was delicious, regardless of how much it cost. All in all, the sojourn was worth it.
One thing I'll miss about London once I leave it will be the ease at which it takes to commute around the city. Back home, I drive a lot, and because traffic in Manila is terrible, you're basically paralyzed, with only conversation with a fellow passenger, and/or music from a car stereo, to keep you occupied as you turn into granite in the middle of the freeway. In London, I get to read books on my phone as I whizz through Underground tunnels, or park my fanny on long bus rides from the city to Wood Green.
Today, I continued reading a book by Donald Ritchie on Tokyo. I've read a few chapters. I am far from finished with it. I've noticed that the author has a penchant for emphasizing Tokyo's layout being a mish-mash of narrow streets, roadside vendors, and housing that seems destined to be purposefully temporary, put forth around an imperial palace that lies watch over a metropolis that has seen itself transform from medieval enclave to ultra modern urban centre. I also read something about the importance of private space to the Japanese. I am constantly amazed by the Japanese's attention to detail and the amount of value they place on the sanctity of space.
Before I could go any further, my bus had reached Wood Green. From one dimension, I found myself back in the cold London night. Soon, the heat I encountered as I devoured my ramen dinner will envelop my body at every waking moment. In short, I am saying that I'll be taking yet another trip not too long from now- back to a home that is my home, yet will not feel like home until I realize that home is where I say it is, and feel it is.
MC
One of my friends had told me about a 5 pound ramen offer on Mondays. Sadly, the establishment decided to go with buy one, take one buns for this Monday. Sad. No cheap ramen. The company was engaging, the ramen was delicious, regardless of how much it cost. All in all, the sojourn was worth it.
One thing I'll miss about London once I leave it will be the ease at which it takes to commute around the city. Back home, I drive a lot, and because traffic in Manila is terrible, you're basically paralyzed, with only conversation with a fellow passenger, and/or music from a car stereo, to keep you occupied as you turn into granite in the middle of the freeway. In London, I get to read books on my phone as I whizz through Underground tunnels, or park my fanny on long bus rides from the city to Wood Green.
Today, I continued reading a book by Donald Ritchie on Tokyo. I've read a few chapters. I am far from finished with it. I've noticed that the author has a penchant for emphasizing Tokyo's layout being a mish-mash of narrow streets, roadside vendors, and housing that seems destined to be purposefully temporary, put forth around an imperial palace that lies watch over a metropolis that has seen itself transform from medieval enclave to ultra modern urban centre. I also read something about the importance of private space to the Japanese. I am constantly amazed by the Japanese's attention to detail and the amount of value they place on the sanctity of space.
Before I could go any further, my bus had reached Wood Green. From one dimension, I found myself back in the cold London night. Soon, the heat I encountered as I devoured my ramen dinner will envelop my body at every waking moment. In short, I am saying that I'll be taking yet another trip not too long from now- back to a home that is my home, yet will not feel like home until I realize that home is where I say it is, and feel it is.
MC
Friday, November 10, 2017
132- I See Snow
As I enter my final two months in London, I can't help but begin to seriously wonder about what will happen next. What will going back home to Manila feel like? What will being faced with actual tropical heat, traffic, and implausibly long waiting times, do to my psyche? Will I miss London? What will I miss about England once I am gone?
Will I ever get over Ebay and Amazon? And running in places like Regent's and Hyde parks?
There are many questions fluttering about. And I see snow. Well, there isn't any actual snow falling from the sky as of the moment, but there might as well be. It has gotten ridiculously cold in recent weeks, and while I am used to being alone by now, the "chill" associated with fighting off hordes of "introvert orcs", has begun to feel cumbersome. In the end, we all seek to experience some form of familiarity once we complete our respective "missions".
I remember my grandfather saying some time before he passed away that he wanted to go back to his home province of Sulu before calling it a day. For those of you who are not aware, Sulu is part of the southern section of the Philippines, a region that has been mired in all sorts of conflicts over what has seemed like forever. Needless to say, Sulu is not a place which you can "just go to" so long as you know how to work Expedia and AirBnB accounts. It is a lot more complicated than that.
My grandfather wanted to get a taste of something familiar and dear to him before walking off into the sunset. I don't blame him. We are all on borrowed time, and after working hard all your life to deal with the practical concerns existence tends to throw at you, all you want is a soft pillow upon which to lay your head on. Sulu was that for my gramps. I feel like I still have much to accomplish in my life, but let me tell you- I miss rhythms familiar and dear to me already. I miss those things about as strongly as I feel about experiencing new things. Given this, I guess I'll be spending a majority of the time to come both holding on thought chests with my name on them, and digging on and on, hoping to strike gold and managing to set up camp on previously unchartered islands along the way.
I see snow. Snow can be sad, snow can be mad. Snowballs thrown can be happy. It's all a matter of perspective.
Two months and change to go.
MC
Will I ever get over Ebay and Amazon? And running in places like Regent's and Hyde parks?
There are many questions fluttering about. And I see snow. Well, there isn't any actual snow falling from the sky as of the moment, but there might as well be. It has gotten ridiculously cold in recent weeks, and while I am used to being alone by now, the "chill" associated with fighting off hordes of "introvert orcs", has begun to feel cumbersome. In the end, we all seek to experience some form of familiarity once we complete our respective "missions".
I remember my grandfather saying some time before he passed away that he wanted to go back to his home province of Sulu before calling it a day. For those of you who are not aware, Sulu is part of the southern section of the Philippines, a region that has been mired in all sorts of conflicts over what has seemed like forever. Needless to say, Sulu is not a place which you can "just go to" so long as you know how to work Expedia and AirBnB accounts. It is a lot more complicated than that.
My grandfather wanted to get a taste of something familiar and dear to him before walking off into the sunset. I don't blame him. We are all on borrowed time, and after working hard all your life to deal with the practical concerns existence tends to throw at you, all you want is a soft pillow upon which to lay your head on. Sulu was that for my gramps. I feel like I still have much to accomplish in my life, but let me tell you- I miss rhythms familiar and dear to me already. I miss those things about as strongly as I feel about experiencing new things. Given this, I guess I'll be spending a majority of the time to come both holding on thought chests with my name on them, and digging on and on, hoping to strike gold and managing to set up camp on previously unchartered islands along the way.
I see snow. Snow can be sad, snow can be mad. Snowballs thrown can be happy. It's all a matter of perspective.
Two months and change to go.
MC
Monday, November 6, 2017
131- Nooks and Crannies
Whenever I visit a new place, I often choose to take the roads less traveled as opposed to going full on touristy. I have lived a little over a year in London, and I feel like I have not even begun to scratch the surface of everything there is to see in this city. I feel like I haven't even begun to even sharpen my figurative paint scraper when it comes to discovering all there is to know about the UK. That's how crazy it all is.
There is value in being Roman, as opposed to just doing what the Romans do. I will never be truly British, or, never truly be a citizen of England, given that I had spent the first 30-plus years of my life in the Philippines, and look to spend most of the rest of my existence away from the UK. Being moved after experiencing a small sliver of life away from your place of origin, however, carries its own profound sense of majesty. It broadens how you view the world, and makes you more introspective. It makes you know yourself better. Once the sheen wears off, after a few months or years in a new place, things tend to fall into a a state of habit. That does not mean one has to stop wondering, and wandering, though. I don't ever want to settle for just being one amongst the proverbial herd. I want to keep standing out, in a good way. Like Mufasa told Simba, one should not go looking for trouble. Instead, one must yearn to ascend to greater heights purely due to the knowledge that such will be able to make him/her see more of the universe, or, the universe from a totally different perspective.
The day I become totally ordinary is the day I ought to just hang it up, and give up on all things exciting, enriching, and plausibly "real". That's the day I should tell myself to just stay and bed, and never get up to fry an egg and find a cuppa joe.
After moving through the nooks and crannies of this world, I've found myself emerging before a few stunning vistas, and plazas full of people I don't know. After milling about in these places, I find myself back where I started- yearning to explore even more nooks and crannies. So, here I am, off to the next adventure. I think I am a bit more enlightened as far as directions go this time, though- better acquainted with many things, but not any less curious about the unknown.
MC
There is value in being Roman, as opposed to just doing what the Romans do. I will never be truly British, or, never truly be a citizen of England, given that I had spent the first 30-plus years of my life in the Philippines, and look to spend most of the rest of my existence away from the UK. Being moved after experiencing a small sliver of life away from your place of origin, however, carries its own profound sense of majesty. It broadens how you view the world, and makes you more introspective. It makes you know yourself better. Once the sheen wears off, after a few months or years in a new place, things tend to fall into a a state of habit. That does not mean one has to stop wondering, and wandering, though. I don't ever want to settle for just being one amongst the proverbial herd. I want to keep standing out, in a good way. Like Mufasa told Simba, one should not go looking for trouble. Instead, one must yearn to ascend to greater heights purely due to the knowledge that such will be able to make him/her see more of the universe, or, the universe from a totally different perspective.
The day I become totally ordinary is the day I ought to just hang it up, and give up on all things exciting, enriching, and plausibly "real". That's the day I should tell myself to just stay and bed, and never get up to fry an egg and find a cuppa joe.
After moving through the nooks and crannies of this world, I've found myself emerging before a few stunning vistas, and plazas full of people I don't know. After milling about in these places, I find myself back where I started- yearning to explore even more nooks and crannies. So, here I am, off to the next adventure. I think I am a bit more enlightened as far as directions go this time, though- better acquainted with many things, but not any less curious about the unknown.
MC
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
129- Discussions
After having lived in South East London for one year, I decided to pack up and move over to the North East part of the city. As a runner, the terrain's changed a wee bit. From flat roads, to incline, after incline, after incline. From views of the River Thames, to views of Alexandra Palace and other patches of green.
The move has also brought me to a place of residence I share with five people from all over the world.
Whenever we do discuss different facets of each others' lives (especially in the kitchen during meal times), the concept of diversity always enters my mind. How Filipinos, Poles, Brits, Italians, and Indians view a lot of things is very unique. One thing the group tends to agree on, however, is the fact that the world would be a better place sans prejudice. Prejudice is something I have not personally experienced since moving to Europe a year ago. I haven't been in the middle of anything of the sort. Maybe London truly is an "open" city. Maybe I've just been lucky. Maybe I've done well with steering clear of negative elements. Whatever the case may be, I always find it fascinating that here in London, it is so commonplace to see people, often from absolutely diverse backgrounds, being able to exist harmoniously, to the extent that the expression "I understand" truly does take on a whole new meaning.
I can only hope that when I return to the Philippines, or, whatever place I end up in in the coming years, provides a similar semblance of openness to diversity. It's somewhat wishful thinking, for sure, but hey, it's free to dream.
MC
Whenever we do discuss different facets of each others' lives (especially in the kitchen during meal times), the concept of diversity always enters my mind. How Filipinos, Poles, Brits, Italians, and Indians view a lot of things is very unique. One thing the group tends to agree on, however, is the fact that the world would be a better place sans prejudice. Prejudice is something I have not personally experienced since moving to Europe a year ago. I haven't been in the middle of anything of the sort. Maybe London truly is an "open" city. Maybe I've just been lucky. Maybe I've done well with steering clear of negative elements. Whatever the case may be, I always find it fascinating that here in London, it is so commonplace to see people, often from absolutely diverse backgrounds, being able to exist harmoniously, to the extent that the expression "I understand" truly does take on a whole new meaning.
I can only hope that when I return to the Philippines, or, whatever place I end up in in the coming years, provides a similar semblance of openness to diversity. It's somewhat wishful thinking, for sure, but hey, it's free to dream.
MC
Friday, August 25, 2017
128- Wandering
One of my favorite activities is wandering. Well, I suppose my version of wandering is not pure in that, I often go to new places with some semblance of a plan. I don't just bust through the doors without any sense of what I'd like to do or where I'd like to go.
The UK makes for a great country to wander in. Compared to where I'm from, transportation links are outstanding. You can get most picturesque places in the country by bus or train. There is often more than enough to see and do within a span of a couple of hours.
I currently reside in London, and this city in itself is choc full of new experiences. I often find myself on a tight budget, so, I've learned how to cut corners without diminishing the awesomeness of my trips. Here are a few things I've learned over the course of taking trips on my own which have helped me maximize my time and effort.
I. Supermarkets are your friend
It is often tempting to visit new towns or cities and find yourself trying every cafe or restaurant you see. I am not even talking about having full meals in every joint. A lot of "tourists" find themselves buying everything from sandwiches, to water, to croissants in restaurants and cafes. Here in the UK, there tend to be Tesco, Sainsbury's, Coop, and Aldi branches at every corner. Leveraging the ubiquity of these establishments is key. It would be worthwhile, for instance, to have a sampling of Whitstable's amazing seafood from the town's best known restaurants and/or food stalls, but for everything else (like getting energy bars, sandwiches, and drinks to sustain you over your long walks), make sure to grab your supplies from the place's local grocer. That should save you a few bucks while allowing you to stay conscious and stable for when you need snap great photos at Brighton beach, or, take in the stunning views at the White Cliffs of Dover.
On an added note, it also helps to bring a thermos/tumbler with water or an electrolyte beverage from home. That should help you save even more money.
II. Have a mobile phone with internet connectivity, and don't forget to bring a power bank
This may sound as basic as heck, but you'll be surprised at how many travelers forget to equip themselves with web-ready devices and spare power sources in case these devices' batteries bog down quicker than expected. My sense of direction sometimes leaves much to be desired, so, I am a frequent users of Google Maps and/or Citymapper. Navigation apps can save your life, believe me. I once got lost in Rome at night and was followed by a bunch of junkies while being lost as heck, so yeah, apps and mobile communication devices are very, very, important.
III. Don't be afraid to shop around for tickets- early
When planning a trip, planning early can save you a lot of money. Moreover, checking on multiple sources for train, bus, and plane tickets can reap a lot of benefits. Don't grab at the first option you come across. There may very well be something better out there.
IV. Don't be scared to ask
When all else fails, it is sometimes still best to locals for directions, tips for where to eat, and tips on locations to visit. This doesn't mean you shouldn't do research beforehand, though.
V. Tourist, but not a tourist
When visiting a new place, be a tourist, in the sense that you should always keep an open mind. When visiting a new place, don't be a tourist in the sense that you shouldn't fall into tourist traps, and confine yourself to staying within "paved streets". Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path- so long as you are able to maintain a general semblance of safety at all times. :) In short, don't take dumb risks.
I've got a few months left as a resident of the UK. I intend to make the most of that time as a professional, and of course, as a traveler. Correction, as a wanderer. After that, well, it's off to who-knows-where for me.
MC
The UK makes for a great country to wander in. Compared to where I'm from, transportation links are outstanding. You can get most picturesque places in the country by bus or train. There is often more than enough to see and do within a span of a couple of hours.
I currently reside in London, and this city in itself is choc full of new experiences. I often find myself on a tight budget, so, I've learned how to cut corners without diminishing the awesomeness of my trips. Here are a few things I've learned over the course of taking trips on my own which have helped me maximize my time and effort.
I. Supermarkets are your friend
It is often tempting to visit new towns or cities and find yourself trying every cafe or restaurant you see. I am not even talking about having full meals in every joint. A lot of "tourists" find themselves buying everything from sandwiches, to water, to croissants in restaurants and cafes. Here in the UK, there tend to be Tesco, Sainsbury's, Coop, and Aldi branches at every corner. Leveraging the ubiquity of these establishments is key. It would be worthwhile, for instance, to have a sampling of Whitstable's amazing seafood from the town's best known restaurants and/or food stalls, but for everything else (like getting energy bars, sandwiches, and drinks to sustain you over your long walks), make sure to grab your supplies from the place's local grocer. That should save you a few bucks while allowing you to stay conscious and stable for when you need snap great photos at Brighton beach, or, take in the stunning views at the White Cliffs of Dover.
On an added note, it also helps to bring a thermos/tumbler with water or an electrolyte beverage from home. That should help you save even more money.
II. Have a mobile phone with internet connectivity, and don't forget to bring a power bank
This may sound as basic as heck, but you'll be surprised at how many travelers forget to equip themselves with web-ready devices and spare power sources in case these devices' batteries bog down quicker than expected. My sense of direction sometimes leaves much to be desired, so, I am a frequent users of Google Maps and/or Citymapper. Navigation apps can save your life, believe me. I once got lost in Rome at night and was followed by a bunch of junkies while being lost as heck, so yeah, apps and mobile communication devices are very, very, important.
III. Don't be afraid to shop around for tickets- early
When planning a trip, planning early can save you a lot of money. Moreover, checking on multiple sources for train, bus, and plane tickets can reap a lot of benefits. Don't grab at the first option you come across. There may very well be something better out there.
IV. Don't be scared to ask
When all else fails, it is sometimes still best to locals for directions, tips for where to eat, and tips on locations to visit. This doesn't mean you shouldn't do research beforehand, though.
V. Tourist, but not a tourist
When visiting a new place, be a tourist, in the sense that you should always keep an open mind. When visiting a new place, don't be a tourist in the sense that you shouldn't fall into tourist traps, and confine yourself to staying within "paved streets". Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path- so long as you are able to maintain a general semblance of safety at all times. :) In short, don't take dumb risks.
I've got a few months left as a resident of the UK. I intend to make the most of that time as a professional, and of course, as a traveler. Correction, as a wanderer. After that, well, it's off to who-knows-where for me.
MC
Thursday, July 6, 2017
127- Waterloo: Literally and Figuratively.
The photo here is that of Waterloo station, a London train terminus that services over 99 million passengers per year. Being around trains and train stations so much during my time in England has brought to the fore something that a lot of Filipnos have had on their minds for a long, long, time.
A lot of people in the Philippines have long hoped for an efficient mass transit system that would allow commuters to travel around the archipelago quickly, and at reasonable prices. A lot of factors have prevented this from happening over the years, though.
The political situation in my homeland has not helped. The Philippines has some of the highest incidence rates of corruption in Asia. Because of this, people have been conditioned to approach all people from government with a degree of mistrust. While this is understandable, the people's cynicism also serves as a deterrent to progress, care of the efforts of the few who consider public welfare to be of paramount importance. While the 1986 People Power Revolution can be considered to be a shining moment in Philippine history, when the will of the people triumphed over the destructive whims of an abuse dictator, it has inculcated a radical mindset among Filipinos. This, mixed with an almost innate skepticism direct towards the bureaucracy, makes for a tricky situation. What we have here is a "chicken and egg" scenario. It's hard to trust government, yes, but one also needs to work with government to get policies passed, and to see development through to completion. Reform, or even abolition, is one thing, but, performance can sometimes tend to be easier than actual brass tacks action.
We Filipinos are a talented bunch, but, as our country's socio-political history has shown, we do like to bring the persons next to us down when we can. "Crab mentality", they call it. It's sickening. How long did it take for our country to buckle down to having automated elections? How long did it take for somebody to realize that one of our national airport's terminals did not have operation CCTV cameras? Not soon enough, I'm afraid. Unity, sadly, is our Waterloo.
Yes, we could use a better public transport system in the Philippines, but the problems go deeper than that. So long as we have boxers-cum senators for legislators, a bloodthirsty demagogue for a President, and those who pillage the coffers of our morale, pride, and bank accounts running wild in the streets, and in government, then, we might us well pack our bags and call it a day. Truth is, there are many Filipinos out there who would like nothing more than to hit the road- and never come back. Home has begun to not feel like home for so many. When a man does not have a soft pillow to rest his head on, what becomes of his mind, his, heart, and his soul?
Wander he does. With no end in sight.
MC
A lot of people in the Philippines have long hoped for an efficient mass transit system that would allow commuters to travel around the archipelago quickly, and at reasonable prices. A lot of factors have prevented this from happening over the years, though.
The political situation in my homeland has not helped. The Philippines has some of the highest incidence rates of corruption in Asia. Because of this, people have been conditioned to approach all people from government with a degree of mistrust. While this is understandable, the people's cynicism also serves as a deterrent to progress, care of the efforts of the few who consider public welfare to be of paramount importance. While the 1986 People Power Revolution can be considered to be a shining moment in Philippine history, when the will of the people triumphed over the destructive whims of an abuse dictator, it has inculcated a radical mindset among Filipinos. This, mixed with an almost innate skepticism direct towards the bureaucracy, makes for a tricky situation. What we have here is a "chicken and egg" scenario. It's hard to trust government, yes, but one also needs to work with government to get policies passed, and to see development through to completion. Reform, or even abolition, is one thing, but, performance can sometimes tend to be easier than actual brass tacks action.
We Filipinos are a talented bunch, but, as our country's socio-political history has shown, we do like to bring the persons next to us down when we can. "Crab mentality", they call it. It's sickening. How long did it take for our country to buckle down to having automated elections? How long did it take for somebody to realize that one of our national airport's terminals did not have operation CCTV cameras? Not soon enough, I'm afraid. Unity, sadly, is our Waterloo.
Yes, we could use a better public transport system in the Philippines, but the problems go deeper than that. So long as we have boxers-cum senators for legislators, a bloodthirsty demagogue for a President, and those who pillage the coffers of our morale, pride, and bank accounts running wild in the streets, and in government, then, we might us well pack our bags and call it a day. Truth is, there are many Filipinos out there who would like nothing more than to hit the road- and never come back. Home has begun to not feel like home for so many. When a man does not have a soft pillow to rest his head on, what becomes of his mind, his, heart, and his soul?
Wander he does. With no end in sight.
MC
Saturday, June 24, 2017
126- Month 9.
I have lived in London for what is the equivalent of a woman going through a normal pregnancy. This experience has been chocful of adventure that I suspect will last a lifetime. Now, as I enter the dissertation (self-study) portion of my postgraduate degree, I find myself pondering upon a number of things:
-There is still much I have not seen in the UK. Compared to some Filipino friends, I have barely scratched the surface. I suppose this is the consequence of spending most of money on concert tickets and running events. There is still time to flutter about. I am fully committed to studying my way to the top, though, so, I'll have to work any travel plans into working my butt off- both for the present, and the future.
-Self study can be good, but at the same time, it can be more difficult that actually having classes. When regular classes are scheduled three times a week, you get into a certain rhythm. That rhythm, then, leads to not getting stuck in any i-feel-so-lazy-to-study funks. Having days and weeks become more open-ended leaves the door to sloth ajar. I have to exert two times the usual effort to stay focused.
-One of my friends who has lived in London for a bit was right- finding a corporate post here is tough. I've begun to think of my plans post Masters'. It can't be helped, unless of course one plans to strand himself/herself on the Isle of Naught for the rest of his/her Earthly life. The natural response by a play-it-safe type would assume that I should re-enter the corporate world. What has that being in that world really done for me in the last 12 years, though, apart of course, from helping me earn a good living, and, aiding in my professional maturity? What I am trying to hint at is, the onset of the ultimate "whys" and "hows". Has the corporate life truly made me happy? Has it truly satiated my desires to live a truly fulfilled existence? On some days, I'd say yes. On others, I'd say that I am stuck in the middle. On certain other days, I'd say, I'd rather be on a farm with 20 Golden Retrievers and a pair of running shoes.
-This blog has gone somewhat stagnant. Maybe it's because I haven't had any totally new "travel-centric" adventures lately. Or maybe that is all B.S. Maybe the real reason is that I haven't take the time to buckle down to thinking about compelling content to put up. Whatever the case is, I do know that I ought to write more from now on. I can't permit myself to sink into the quagmire of the "I'm so ordinary" and "I'm so square". I'd rather listen to Justin Bieber for 20 straight hours than to be oh-so-commonplace.
-Having come from a country that has shot itself in the balls so many times because of corruption in government, and people being so used to mediocrity, such that the bar for what is "socially acceptable" has dipped so, so, low, I can safely say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the first world conveniences that Britain has exposed me to. Decent public transportation, efficient service at government offices, efficient-cashless payment facilities- all of these things are conveniences which somebody who has lived here for a long time may take for granted. Where I'm from, something as mundane as renewing your driver's license can end up being the biggest chore ever, so yeah, I am happy with what the UK has in place.
-I am actually THIS close to finishing a Masters' Degree. I have tried my best to absorb fresh insights and new perspectives, but sometimes, one will end up getting by on knowledge gained from prior experience. This journey has re-awakened me desire to learn, learn, learn. So whatever "new" things I've missed on are things which I intend to catch up on when the time comes. It's funny how scholarship shows you that some of the most basic things on Earth are made to be more complicated than they actually should be, in the name of being more "scholarly".
More thoughts will be shared on another day.
The spillage of ideas should help keep me sane through the final stretch of my postgraduate degree.
MC
-There is still much I have not seen in the UK. Compared to some Filipino friends, I have barely scratched the surface. I suppose this is the consequence of spending most of money on concert tickets and running events. There is still time to flutter about. I am fully committed to studying my way to the top, though, so, I'll have to work any travel plans into working my butt off- both for the present, and the future.
-Self study can be good, but at the same time, it can be more difficult that actually having classes. When regular classes are scheduled three times a week, you get into a certain rhythm. That rhythm, then, leads to not getting stuck in any i-feel-so-lazy-to-study funks. Having days and weeks become more open-ended leaves the door to sloth ajar. I have to exert two times the usual effort to stay focused.
-One of my friends who has lived in London for a bit was right- finding a corporate post here is tough. I've begun to think of my plans post Masters'. It can't be helped, unless of course one plans to strand himself/herself on the Isle of Naught for the rest of his/her Earthly life. The natural response by a play-it-safe type would assume that I should re-enter the corporate world. What has that being in that world really done for me in the last 12 years, though, apart of course, from helping me earn a good living, and, aiding in my professional maturity? What I am trying to hint at is, the onset of the ultimate "whys" and "hows". Has the corporate life truly made me happy? Has it truly satiated my desires to live a truly fulfilled existence? On some days, I'd say yes. On others, I'd say that I am stuck in the middle. On certain other days, I'd say, I'd rather be on a farm with 20 Golden Retrievers and a pair of running shoes.
-This blog has gone somewhat stagnant. Maybe it's because I haven't had any totally new "travel-centric" adventures lately. Or maybe that is all B.S. Maybe the real reason is that I haven't take the time to buckle down to thinking about compelling content to put up. Whatever the case is, I do know that I ought to write more from now on. I can't permit myself to sink into the quagmire of the "I'm so ordinary" and "I'm so square". I'd rather listen to Justin Bieber for 20 straight hours than to be oh-so-commonplace.
-Having come from a country that has shot itself in the balls so many times because of corruption in government, and people being so used to mediocrity, such that the bar for what is "socially acceptable" has dipped so, so, low, I can safely say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the first world conveniences that Britain has exposed me to. Decent public transportation, efficient service at government offices, efficient-cashless payment facilities- all of these things are conveniences which somebody who has lived here for a long time may take for granted. Where I'm from, something as mundane as renewing your driver's license can end up being the biggest chore ever, so yeah, I am happy with what the UK has in place.
-I am actually THIS close to finishing a Masters' Degree. I have tried my best to absorb fresh insights and new perspectives, but sometimes, one will end up getting by on knowledge gained from prior experience. This journey has re-awakened me desire to learn, learn, learn. So whatever "new" things I've missed on are things which I intend to catch up on when the time comes. It's funny how scholarship shows you that some of the most basic things on Earth are made to be more complicated than they actually should be, in the name of being more "scholarly".
More thoughts will be shared on another day.
The spillage of ideas should help keep me sane through the final stretch of my postgraduate degree.
MC
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
125- Two Trick Ponies
Once upon a time, before the advent of social media and hardcore internet metrics, people posted content online for the sake of posting online (seemingly).
Sometimes, cognizance of tons of metrics can totally bog you down.
MC
Sometimes, cognizance of tons of metrics can totally bog you down.
MC
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Thursday, April 27, 2017
123- Blue Jeans
It's been a while since I've updated this blog. I don't like the idea of just abandoning this little corner of the web, so, here I go.
If everything goes as planned, I have less than a year left in the UK. Completing a master's degree can go one of two ways. It can keep you engaged and passionate about your chosen field, and can therefore propel you to a job that will ensure your financial prosperity when it's all said and done. The second (and less rosy) reality that may come around at a later date would be you having a hard time getting back in the swing of things as a working person, and thus, falling further behind than where you started.
It's a frightening thought- especially when you aren't quite so young anymore. I do not doubt the validity of my decision to come to London to study. It's been a blast so far. The future is just nerve-wracking to speculate on.
Well, I suppose that it would be pointless to worry about things I have no control over.
Where will time lead this pair blue jeans to? Washed out? Well loved? Who knows.
MC
If everything goes as planned, I have less than a year left in the UK. Completing a master's degree can go one of two ways. It can keep you engaged and passionate about your chosen field, and can therefore propel you to a job that will ensure your financial prosperity when it's all said and done. The second (and less rosy) reality that may come around at a later date would be you having a hard time getting back in the swing of things as a working person, and thus, falling further behind than where you started.
It's a frightening thought- especially when you aren't quite so young anymore. I do not doubt the validity of my decision to come to London to study. It's been a blast so far. The future is just nerve-wracking to speculate on.
Well, I suppose that it would be pointless to worry about things I have no control over.
Where will time lead this pair blue jeans to? Washed out? Well loved? Who knows.
MC
Saturday, January 7, 2017
122- Brain Reps
I value knowledge- on my own terms.
Sometimes, I don't get the point of studying your ass off based on a structured program.
Are we really free, or, is freedom as prefabricated as a rip off of today's popular sitcom?
There are days when I can't tell.
It's not that I'm not thankful for my blessings.
There are just times when you wonder. And wonder some more.
MC
Sometimes, I don't get the point of studying your ass off based on a structured program.
Are we really free, or, is freedom as prefabricated as a rip off of today's popular sitcom?
There are days when I can't tell.
It's not that I'm not thankful for my blessings.
There are just times when you wonder. And wonder some more.
MC
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
121- Daysleeper
The past holiday season has brought forth a great many things. It has brought forth happy memories of my first Christmas and New Year spent in a foreign country, and it to has brought new friends to the fore. One of the perks of living in London has been the fact that so much art and history is always at your fingertips. I have striven to take full advantage of that during the holiday break.
One unexpected visitor into my life in these last couple of weeks has been a very unhealthy sleep cycle. I have managed to get 7-8 hours of sleep a day. While this is ideal, it's the start and end of my sleeping times that have been iffy. Sleeping at 4am and waking up at 11am is not the same as sleeping at 10pm and waking up at 7am. The body just doesn't get enough juice back into in when you sleep when others are busy making breakfast.
I need to fix this soon. I have quite a crazy term ahead of me.
MC
One unexpected visitor into my life in these last couple of weeks has been a very unhealthy sleep cycle. I have managed to get 7-8 hours of sleep a day. While this is ideal, it's the start and end of my sleeping times that have been iffy. Sleeping at 4am and waking up at 11am is not the same as sleeping at 10pm and waking up at 7am. The body just doesn't get enough juice back into in when you sleep when others are busy making breakfast.
I need to fix this soon. I have quite a crazy term ahead of me.
MC
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