Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Olympics... Loving August in London!

To be beautiful is to be yourself 
Old enough to know better... Young enough to throw caution to the wind.

We are here to experience life as a train
Traveling through a track of winding Paths
Tolerating the temperatures; come sun, come snow
Carrying passengers of every race and colour
Traversing through tunnels of darkness
To get to the light awaiting at the other end
Not knowing how each journey may terminate
But understanding life is not a station
Standing still emotionless for years to pass
Letting the adventures weather us
Take the wind as a breeze
Life is impeccable as it is
And we are only here to learn

If my mother read this, her comment would be, do you call this a poem? She would always make her opinion clear, especially about music and poetry, to which her ears have been thoroughly fed with the best of since childhood in her father's home. How I reminisce on those good old days, as a child, so carefree, running around the garden of cherry trees back at home, the sight of the neighbour's son swimming in their pool, seen from the corridor running along the bedrooms on the first floor of our house. The layout of floral gilded Louis furniture in the off-white tapestry fabric, decorated by pastel coloured flowers in our 'salon' as the French would say. Those magnificent silk carpets my father collected, laid in large to decorate the marble floors of our living room, made for the many parties my parents gave, with musicians and singers entertaining their glamorous guests throughout the long night. My mother's grand royal, cream Yamaha piano, which she played magnificently with her perfectly manicured, red nails and the innocence that came naturally as a child. 

Goodness, I drifted there to a world so many decades ago that will never return. But then, there is change, life and experience, and growth. Would I ever want to change my life with anyone in this world? Would I want to be in my twenties again? Even with all the wisdom I have accumulated over the years? No way. Acceptance is necessary at every stage of life.  
I am here because I am meant to be here, and that is just fine.
One thing I have noticed going out with such a variety of people is that the most beautiful have been the ones with the biggest hearts, who do not need acceptance by others but make the most of what they have. When you want the best for others, life throws you the best imaginable. If you are questioning this in any way, then think again. Are you really wishing for the best for absolutely everyone? Even those who have hurt you?
Buddha said: 'Forgive and be free. Forget that you have forgiven and be freer'. 

Returning to London after a blissful holiday in Greece at sea, there was a feeling of celebration. The Olympics were on, of course, and conversations of gold and silver medals were in full swing around any table, over drinks or dinner.
After a first night's rest, the second was an invite by the Queen of putting people together: Aisha, who had texted me to meet her, Pedro and seven others at Cantina's show in the Southbank, close to the London Eye. 

I followed orders to go to friends', living nearby and taking a cab.
Having caught a golden tan from the reflection of the sun upon the Aegean sea, I decided to wear the fitted Dolce & Gabbana silk, satiny dress of a silvery/gold shade which showed all the proper bumps as it should, bought in some outlet in New York at a fraction of the original price, ensemble with a patent greyish/cream sandals, so Marilyn Monroe-like, from Paris. Why not! Add a little shopping experience to the scene.
At the friend's house, one of the girls got me to try 'just a puff' of the new legal joint she had purchased recently. Boy, the spliff hit me somewhat strongly, but there was no time to give it much thought. We had to leave as the cab was waiting outside the house. Visiting the cloakroom before our departure, I looked in the mirror of the dark marbled space, checked out my newly straightened haircut, the dark bronzed tan shining covered with cream plus that over-developed dress I was wearing, and all I could see was Queen Latifa! What had I smoked?!
When I made it outside to leave, I shared my views with the three route companions. One of the girls tried to explain that my comment was invalid, although she loved Queen Latifa. I knew exactly where she was going with that; Queen Latifa is probably ample for skinny ladies! Meanwhile, our male friend clicked and said, laughingly:
"Hahaha ... I just realised what you said, Haldita.  Queen Latifa! Great. I love you."
And I explained to my girlfriend: "Darling, I was only paying myself a huge compliment. I absolutely adore Queen Latifa! She's super sexy."
To which comment did she change the subject, a little embarrassed. But I understand how our world now is complex about being 'slim', and she was only trying to be excellent. 

Once settled at the round table with circular seating of ten, thank goodness the show went on for a short time, for approximately one hour. The great reviews of 'stunning acrobatic skills' may well be true, but 'jaw-dropping', 'mind-blowing' and 'erotic manoeuvres' were a little bit of an exaggeration, in my opinion. Or it wasn't my thing. Anyway, I was glad when it was over, and as Delara was not keen on the Arts Club, Aisha suggested we dined at Bodega Negra's trendy setting in Soho, so Pedro agreed and made the booking for ten.

Little did I know what experience awaited me only a few minutes later.
As we settled around the circular table and the tapas-like Mexican dishes were ordered to share, Lara mentioned the new 'legal' weed she had smoked part of before leaving home and whether I cared to join her for a few puffs outside. Needless to say, I followed her up the stairs and into Soho's semi-busy back streets for a chat and smoke. Literally, after two puffs at the 'legal' stuff, my whole world turned upside down and I told Lara:
"I don't think I can make it downstairs. What the heck was that thing we smoked? Legal my ass!"
Lara had no choice but to be firm: "Com' on Haldita.  Just follow me down. You can do it. Do you think I am not paranoid?"
There really was no choice but to listen to the wise words of my new buddy. We had known each other from a trip abroad years ago and bumped into one another on several occasions around the world but had yet to connect to the extent of that evening.
Once, back at the table (somehow, I cannot quite recall how), I sat there, not knowing what had hit me so hard. In that cave of a basement, I felt my world was about to end. Yet, it was like they say, 'your life flashes before your eyes'. This is what was going through my mind ...
'Oh, my Lord! I'm looking around me; all I can see is so Surreal. This IS My Life. Wow. Who would have thought ten or twelve years ago that I would be among the coolest, loveliest, amazing people around me everywhere? How could I have even imagined this? This is beyond any fantasy I could have thought possible.'
At this time, a dear friend's husband, Sohi, asked:
"Haldita, where were you? Did you smoke that legal stuff?"

I simply answered, semi-conscious in this world: "Yap. What the heck was that?"
He said in sympathy: "Didn't I tell you not to smoke that? Not here."
I said helplessly: "Too fuckin' late now! It's done. I'm in gaga-land."
Sohi was concerned but comforted me by saying: "I'm here if you need me. Watching you."
Delara took her seat next to me at one stage and tried to force-feed me:
"Eat Haldita.  People may get suspicious of your behaviour. Act normal!"

Really?! Like most other moments of my life, I could not care the least about what anyone could have thought at that moment. I looked at Kristel across the table; her warming eyes were reassuring. Three times, I became only semi-conscious of my existence. Each time, I saw my life almost end. It was a matter of closing my eyes and letting go into the other world, as we didn't know it. Then all I thought was: 
'Are you crazy girl? This is a while. There is a lot more to be said, and there is a duty I haven't fulfilled in this world. I haven't come this far to let go of life that easily! God knows I've lived it to the fullest, learned many lessons, and am still young enough to have many more years ahead of me. I write a blog, for goodness sake.'
  I have no idea how long my imagination had drifted to those thoughts, but they were real, and I remember them well.  
Once back on track, in the 'Real' or always my 'Surreal' world, we moved from the restaurant to the bar, where many incredible people were hanging out and drinking. Some from our group left, and the rest of us mingled and gently moved to the DJ playing music.
A very tall Latino man, Rafael, approached us with a friend and began a conversation with Lara and me, then moved on to talking to Sohi. He was in London for a week, taking part in the Olympics. The return to earth left me in a great mood, 'Nanoo Nanoo, ' chatting with guys on every side of our crowd; I was so glad to be alive again.  
Sabela told me: "Hey girlfriend. You're too hot to trot tonight!"
Everything and everyone made me smile, and I was on cloud nine. Or is there one going higher? As in Cloud Ten.
It was great fun having a boogie with Aisha and Pedro and having our usual laughs. They are in Mykonos now, where I have spent a few summers with them and their entourage, and I think of them often, reminiscing on my time there.  

Anyway, back to that adventurous evening. The leftovers of us ended up at Lara's apartment, accompanied by Rafael, who had joined us from the bar at Sohi's invitation. There, more drinks were to follow, mostly still water by then, and we continued the night of chatter while I insisted they don't give me any more of that legal stuff.
"I'm simply into illegal stuff. It works better for me!"
At the end of our night, Rafael sat next to me and asked: "Do you feel sleepy? I don't."
As I didn't in any way, he suggested:
"Want to go back to your place and talk?"
There was the hot Latino, asking to come back with me? It would be simply rude to refuse a house guest. My grandma had taught me: "Guests are a God sent, never to be refused!"
And hence, my exciting evening continued on at home, in great company. Olympic gold on that one. haha

On one occasion, Jade was in town and asked to meet up in a cafe in Knightsbridge. Who do we run into but a silver medalist for weightlifting from Iran! Smoking shisha. He was very humble when we asked to take a photo with him, and he had already done his work, so the bubbly must have been his treat.  
I left Jade as she had to attend a dinner while I met with Donna at the Anglesea Arms, one of my favourite pubs, for a catch-up and light supper.

My Darling brothers Soltan and Tuba came over for a visit last weekend. I left them to go their way shopping and joined Jade and her lovely cousins for a bite at a trendy cafe near Kensington. Then, I said goodbye to them after lunch to pick up Rafael with the car's roof down under a blazing summer sun, being the perfect London guide. This city is bliss during August; most people are away on holiday, the traffic is the least possible (except during the Olympics, where special lanes were explicitly drawn for registered cars to the games), AND you can find parking anywhere.
Dinner was a family affair at home. A perfect way to end a Friday.

Saturday was an afternoon spent at the anniversary celebration of Troy's pub in North London. I brought my family over while other friends joined, and an enjoyable time disappeared in moments of pleasure. Unlike the 3 to 5pm invite, we left the pub after 9pm. Funny how time flies when you are having fun.
Jade had a flight back home Sunday afternoon, and I had given her my word to take her to Fabric. I simply could not wait to get my silver dancing shoes on. Salar and his uncle were there, and we danced in a group for a while before losing the boys in room 2.  
It was clear how opening my wings and letting the air of fate carry me to areas of life I would have never imagined possible. I have learned endurance, patience when needed, and how I feel about love and friendship. 

We lost the boys while we danced in the DJ booth to Terry Francis' techno sound, so we decided to go outside to the smoking area. I just loved how fantastic Jade was in sitting beside me on those cigarette butts, or should I say in an ashtray, without a care in the world, as we people-watched and talked of God and Goodness. Once back on the first level of the club, as we walked next to the VIP corner, a gentlemanly figure moved the rope that separated the area open and kindly asked us to join them at their table. 
Our friendly attitude soon got us talking to everyone at that table. I was introduced to the two youthful Mexican beauties and their male company. They were friendly and hospitable, offering us drinks and generally welcoming. 
The last DJ only stopped playing in room 1 at 9:00am; Jade had already left as she had a flight to catch that afternoon, and I departed, accompanied by three guys from the table. We grabbed breakfast at Paul's under the warm rays of sunshine, and since I was in the mood to drive, I offered my new friends a lift to their apartment. I must be mad! But I like good company and love driving. Besides, I get to meet so many wonderful souls who help me when I travel; people just turn up and help out randomly, making it a pleasure to give something back in terms of being 'nice' and human. The main thing is, I enjoy it.

Last week passed in an excellent family company, plus I saw Kristel for breakfast at Gail's new place in Chelsea on Friday, where we caught up with each other's news. Then came the evening at Brinkley's, with Soltan and Tuba, for a late dinner with Charlotte. The place was swamped with Chelsea elegance on a drinking outing as the weekend began. We happened to bump into a funny old friend, Mr G, who asked us to join him and his friends at Kosmopol's for a cocktail. We got there, first at the bar on the ground floor, and as most left to head to bed, I found myself chatting with two gorgeous, tall Russian girls standing next to me in the basement club. In no time, the three of us decided to ditch the boys and continue the night at Maggie's club, only two minutes away. And so we did.  
To my surprise, the eighties music they played was much to my liking, so I mainly danced while going back to see if the girls were in good company. We said goodbye at the end of the hour, and I went home a happy bunny. Fun, laughter, music, dancing and making friends I may or may not see again. What counts is the NOW.

Aaaannd... What did I do precisely on Saturday again? I went to a good friend, Rassa's leaving party with Soltan and Tuba in the afternoon, where I also met up with Ernest to catch up briefly with the news since our travels together.
It is kind of sad when someone you love, as Rassa in this case, leaves the city to move elsewhere, but home is home to most, and when they find the chance and the timing for change, one can only wish them joy in whatever they do and hope that one day again, we will meet. The time spent with 'Rassa', on many occasions, always with laughter and fondness, will always be in my heart. Wishing her well on her journey home.

Going to Fabric thing on Saturdays has become a habit; once I start going again, I want to repeat it the following week. Judes had mentioned not being too busy with work that evening at Fabric, and spending time with her is always a joy. I told her she was one of the most remarkable women I knew, and I was surrounded by some extraordinary people. We spent most of the night going from one DJ booth to another, watching the music makers spin their tunes. To end the night, watching the entertaining characters of MANDY, Patrick and Phil's energetic behaviour during their play made me smile constantly. And what did I tell Patrick as he smiled at me?
"You're truly MDAaaaaamazing!"
He repeated the word and laughed.

The most grateful people I know are also the happiest.



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