Writing is a painting of words, brought to the reader's imagination to transform the picture in
their mind into words.
The drive to Dorking last Wednesday was as pleasant as the sunny day that accompanied it. Soltan and Tuba joined me on the drive, mainly through the country roads, filled with trees bearing the green buds ready to burst into full spring. We were visiting Soltan's college buddy Hansel and his new family. Midday began with a pub lunch outdoors, sitting on benches in the garden under the sun's warmth shining in full swing above us. The green fields, lit up by the yellow bed of flowers on one side, were bright and golden.
After the cheeseburgers were consumed, we followed Hansel in the car to drive up to Denbies Wine Estate, the largest single-estate vineyard in the UK. It was surprising to find out such vast vineyards existed only half an hour from London. We walked through the land, yet to bloom, as only empty branches were in sight. The drive back with the roof down, without feeling chilly, simply added to the day's flavour in the countryside. I let my hair loose to feel the oxygen in the air. Aaaah! 'A la campagne' as the French would say.
I rushed back to London to drop Soltan and Tuba home, then to St Peter's Church in Eaton Square for a 6:30pm 'evening with Robert Lacey'; the royal biographer, on his latest book 'A Brief Life of The Queen'. As I walked in, with a hippie-smart look of jeans, a long shirt, waistcoat and my Bali Buddha necklace, in a hall filled with a dressed-up crowd, I bumped into Alan and Deena, whom I had known for years and often met at dinners at Lady Saba's. It's funny how I enjoy going to most places alone, but I'm never alone! Brilliant.
The proceeds from the night were to be donated to a centre for children with autism. I first met a mother with an autistic child in Gouna, Egypt. To whose house were we invited for dinner by the pool beside the river Nile? The lady in question was as hospitable to Hala and me as we were old family friends. Her love for her son was ... Beautiful is the only word I can use to watch. It is hard to explain when, as mothers, we feel a helpless love beyond any other towards our offspring. Her special care and compassion almost made me shed tears.
Back to the talk... I bought a book by the author at the back of the church, then proceeded to the front to notice Robert Lacey sitting on a church bench. I approached him and asked if he would sign my book.
"But of course," Robert greeted me and, without a second glance, took the book at hand to autograph. At this stage, he looked up, rather shyly, as our eyes barely met and said: "Whom to?"
I spelt my name, and as he got writing... 'for Haldita with'.
I cheekily said: "Darling."
He looked up, puzzled.
My explanation was: "Sir, you forgot to put Darling. As in Haldita Darling."
He smiled as I continued: "I'll be soooo disappointed if you don't add darling for me."
After almost losing track of what he was about to write, I added:
"Oh! I'm sorry, I seem to have got you lost."
He seemed instead taken by my remark and happily added 'Darling' to the autograph.
The drive to Dorking last Wednesday was as pleasant as the sunny day that accompanied it. Soltan and Tuba joined me on the drive, mainly through the country roads, filled with trees bearing the green buds ready to burst into full spring. We were visiting Soltan's college buddy Hansel and his new family. Midday began with a pub lunch outdoors, sitting on benches in the garden under the sun's warmth shining in full swing above us. The green fields, lit up by the yellow bed of flowers on one side, were bright and golden.
After the cheeseburgers were consumed, we followed Hansel in the car to drive up to Denbies Wine Estate, the largest single-estate vineyard in the UK. It was surprising to find out such vast vineyards existed only half an hour from London. We walked through the land, yet to bloom, as only empty branches were in sight. The drive back with the roof down, without feeling chilly, simply added to the day's flavour in the countryside. I let my hair loose to feel the oxygen in the air. Aaaah! 'A la campagne' as the French would say.
I rushed back to London to drop Soltan and Tuba home, then to St Peter's Church in Eaton Square for a 6:30pm 'evening with Robert Lacey'; the royal biographer, on his latest book 'A Brief Life of The Queen'. As I walked in, with a hippie-smart look of jeans, a long shirt, waistcoat and my Bali Buddha necklace, in a hall filled with a dressed-up crowd, I bumped into Alan and Deena, whom I had known for years and often met at dinners at Lady Saba's. It's funny how I enjoy going to most places alone, but I'm never alone! Brilliant.
The proceeds from the night were to be donated to a centre for children with autism. I first met a mother with an autistic child in Gouna, Egypt. To whose house were we invited for dinner by the pool beside the river Nile? The lady in question was as hospitable to Hala and me as we were old family friends. Her love for her son was ... Beautiful is the only word I can use to watch. It is hard to explain when, as mothers, we feel a helpless love beyond any other towards our offspring. Her special care and compassion almost made me shed tears.
Back to the talk... I bought a book by the author at the back of the church, then proceeded to the front to notice Robert Lacey sitting on a church bench. I approached him and asked if he would sign my book.
"But of course," Robert greeted me and, without a second glance, took the book at hand to autograph. At this stage, he looked up, rather shyly, as our eyes barely met and said: "Whom to?"
I spelt my name, and as he got writing... 'for Haldita with'.
I cheekily said: "Darling."
He looked up, puzzled.
My explanation was: "Sir, you forgot to put Darling. As in Haldita Darling."
He smiled as I continued: "I'll be soooo disappointed if you don't add darling for me."
After almost losing track of what he was about to write, I added:
"Oh! I'm sorry, I seem to have got you lost."
He seemed instead taken by my remark and happily added 'Darling' to the autograph.
 | |||||
| Picture of the Queen from the book |
 |
| Robert Lacey |
When I returned to Alan and Deena, they introduced me to their friend and asked:
"So, Haldita, did you get your book signed?"
And when I mentioned how Deena questioned:
"You didn't?"
"Yep, I certainly did," I answered.
Alan then laughed and said: "Haldita gets what she wants!"
The rest of the week was dedicated to family affairs until Saturday, the due date for Soltan and Tuba to return home. Driving them to Heathrow was a mixed feeling of melancholy, as they would be missed dearly, and joy, as I got the chance to spend precious, quality time with them, for which I felt grateful.
The airport was on the way to my next destination, another side of the glorious British countryside where my friends Bes and Ama temporarily resided. Their friends Horus and Sam joined soon after I arrived to indulge in another session of the Philosopher's Stone. Oh! PS I do love you.
This Mexican truffle, searched underground to flourish overground at our disposal to be consumed in a nutty flavour, was chewed in small doses for another voyage of discovery deep into our souls. As Bes mentioned, the experience differs every time. As opposed to the numbness I felt throughout my body last time, to allow me through a journey into space, this time round, I got lost in the beauty of nature as we took a walk in a cloudy and not-so-warm afternoon by the river. In fact, this time, I could not stop talking. The concise vision of the snakes I had before leaving for our stroll was of many black snakes dancing in harmony vertically in front of my eyes; pleasant as it was, it got rid of any fear of snakes I ever felt before. But I let go of the image and opened my eyes in disbelief before the face of a cobra appeared, staring at me. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing unpleasant in the vision I had.
"So, Haldita, did you get your book signed?"
And when I mentioned how Deena questioned:
"You didn't?"
"Yep, I certainly did," I answered.
Alan then laughed and said: "Haldita gets what she wants!"
The rest of the week was dedicated to family affairs until Saturday, the due date for Soltan and Tuba to return home. Driving them to Heathrow was a mixed feeling of melancholy, as they would be missed dearly, and joy, as I got the chance to spend precious, quality time with them, for which I felt grateful.
The airport was on the way to my next destination, another side of the glorious British countryside where my friends Bes and Ama temporarily resided. Their friends Horus and Sam joined soon after I arrived to indulge in another session of the Philosopher's Stone. Oh! PS I do love you.
This Mexican truffle, searched underground to flourish overground at our disposal to be consumed in a nutty flavour, was chewed in small doses for another voyage of discovery deep into our souls. As Bes mentioned, the experience differs every time. As opposed to the numbness I felt throughout my body last time, to allow me through a journey into space, this time round, I got lost in the beauty of nature as we took a walk in a cloudy and not-so-warm afternoon by the river. In fact, this time, I could not stop talking. The concise vision of the snakes I had before leaving for our stroll was of many black snakes dancing in harmony vertically in front of my eyes; pleasant as it was, it got rid of any fear of snakes I ever felt before. But I let go of the image and opened my eyes in disbelief before the face of a cobra appeared, staring at me. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing unpleasant in the vision I had.
 |
There were plenty of deep discussions on human behaviour, the awakening of the Kundalini and especially the teaching of Buddha, Jesus and Prophet Mohammad, the temptations they faced to reach higher strength, and their philosophy on life. All in a spiritual sense. The effect of media on the masses and how happy it makes me to know I have not watched news or TV (except movies at times) nor read any newspapers in the last twelve years. It leaves space to think more productively and positively and act compassionately instead of feeling helpless and angry towards ignorance.
Imagine there is so much knowledge and wisdom to learn from for a happier being, and yet, some waste all this incredible energy by indulging in the darkness of gossip or self-pity.
At midnight, apart from Bes, Ama and myself, everyone left to hear Paul van Dyk DJ in Brixton, one hour away.
So, the three of us continued talking and fell asleep at the break of dawn. Before heading to sleep, Ama started telling me how smoking pot clouds one's vision in the spiritual world. So I enquired whether smoking cigarettes affected it too, and he replied yes. I was about to put my cigarette out. Did not realise that would be my last one. After a brief silence, I said:
Imagine there is so much knowledge and wisdom to learn from for a happier being, and yet, some waste all this incredible energy by indulging in the darkness of gossip or self-pity.
At midnight, apart from Bes, Ama and myself, everyone left to hear Paul van Dyk DJ in Brixton, one hour away.
So, the three of us continued talking and fell asleep at the break of dawn. Before heading to sleep, Ama started telling me how smoking pot clouds one's vision in the spiritual world. So I enquired whether smoking cigarettes affected it too, and he replied yes. I was about to put my cigarette out. Did not realise that would be my last one. After a brief silence, I said:
"This cigarette I'm putting out shall be my last one!"
And that is how I gave up smoking cigarettes cold turkey, as they say.
After another enchanting stroll alongside the river Thames on Sunday, I packed my bag and returned to London for dinner with my Boy.
The last two days were spent catching up over a late lunch outdoors at Duke of York's with Aisha, Kristel, Risha and Aida, who had just returned from a trip. Sex and the City girls met up!
A tall, mature, good-looking stranger passed by, staring at me and smiling every time I looked as he passed by. Is it my smile which reads 'naughty'? I wondered.
It was an enchanting afternoon. Discussing a summer trip together and coming up with a wedding celebration excited us all.
Jane and I met at the Groucho Club in Soho for a drink in the afternoon before heading to Notting Hill for dinner. She introduced her boyfriend Russ and housemates Athan and Claudia, who will soon leave London to live abroad. An interesting conversation followed about the age of spirituality awakening deepening in a world desperate for peace, revolutions and their effect on people erupting in anger towards governments run by dictators, and each of our experiences travelling to different parts of the world and the wisdom it had brought us.
Oh Dear! It seems my life is moving from 'Sex' right into the 'City'!
I only have a few hours of sleep before my flight to a spa tomorrow. A girl needs a rest with such a heavy schedule, you know.
After another enchanting stroll alongside the river Thames on Sunday, I packed my bag and returned to London for dinner with my Boy.
The last two days were spent catching up over a late lunch outdoors at Duke of York's with Aisha, Kristel, Risha and Aida, who had just returned from a trip. Sex and the City girls met up!
A tall, mature, good-looking stranger passed by, staring at me and smiling every time I looked as he passed by. Is it my smile which reads 'naughty'? I wondered.
It was an enchanting afternoon. Discussing a summer trip together and coming up with a wedding celebration excited us all.
Jane and I met at the Groucho Club in Soho for a drink in the afternoon before heading to Notting Hill for dinner. She introduced her boyfriend Russ and housemates Athan and Claudia, who will soon leave London to live abroad. An interesting conversation followed about the age of spirituality awakening deepening in a world desperate for peace, revolutions and their effect on people erupting in anger towards governments run by dictators, and each of our experiences travelling to different parts of the world and the wisdom it had brought us.
Oh Dear! It seems my life is moving from 'Sex' right into the 'City'!
I only have a few hours of sleep before my flight to a spa tomorrow. A girl needs a rest with such a heavy schedule, you know.
No comments:
Post a Comment