And it is with a flush of excitement, tender hope, and the usual positive attitude that my new year of 2015 begins.
Forgive those who have done you wrong
It is all for the best, for you've grown strong
Turn the painful memories into a painless stroll
The priceless lessons have been there to help you crawl
Away from a head filled with thoughts to bring us down
Step into a new world of hopeful bliss, set as a crown
On a throne only you could create and live to the full
What doesn't kill you sure makes you strong as a bull.
Looking back at the years that have passed, it has been far less excitable than the previous decade since I gained complete freedom of mind. Nevertheless, the period has been challenging, at most times, on so many levels. I made one pact with myself from the words of the excellent Nina Simone: "I have to learn to get up from the table when LOVE is no longer being served."
If there is one resolution I will remember, it will certainly be that.
"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option". Maya Angelou.
These great quotes from strong women who have no doubt tolerated hardship yet come out with messages of hope and understanding that are always inspiring. Great minds develop and make way for extraordinary lives.
My last voyage abroad in 2014 was visiting the delightful city of Budapest and its Christmas markets. With patience, Maximo, my new travel companion, makes me wonder why (well, we all have flows! haha) and I boarded the plane to Hungary's capital on the first weekend of December. Our hope for a snowy Budapest did not flourish. Instead, it rained almost non-stop during our four-day visit, and temperatures plummeted as soon as we landed. There is Buda, and then there is Pest, separated by the river Danube with an island set in its midst. Before our visit, Maximo had come across a poster in the London Underground about the Rembrandt exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest. Yes, in London! Under the wet weather conditions, it seemed a great choice.
Our hotel was the Corinthia, which could have been called the Grand Budapest Hotel, minus the charming Gustave H as the concierge, plus all the luxuries of marble floors and columns amidst its opulent structure. There was an indoor pool, a more miniature replica of the baths, of which the city is renowned for its thermal springs and medicinal benefits. The weather was too cold to bear getting to the heated pools in a swimsuit, and I am counting on returning to Budapest in the summer, so I did not make it to the Széchenyi baths.
The best way to keep warm was to purchase delicious mulled wine at market stalls and order goulash in the restaurants, which seemed part of the rich diet Hungarians followed. Walking around the Christmas markets with bright shining lights, packed with city dwellers as well as tourists, was charming, with that certain air of joy and the hustle and bustle one would expect the spirit of the season to represent.
Maximo loves walking, and taking taxis is the only option in despair. On our second day, again, we passed by all the back street shops to get to the cruise on the Danube. The glass-covered boats, heated by individual heaters at each row of the long vessel, were a perfect way to keep warm, enjoy the sites and not get wet. I was astounded by the grandeur of the parliament building standing majestically in its gothic splendour on the Pest side. At the same time, the royal palaces magnificently occupied the hills of Buda in their medieval baroque style.
Forgive those who have done you wrong
It is all for the best, for you've grown strong
Turn the painful memories into a painless stroll
The priceless lessons have been there to help you crawl
Away from a head filled with thoughts to bring us down
Step into a new world of hopeful bliss, set as a crown
On a throne only you could create and live to the full
What doesn't kill you sure makes you strong as a bull.
Looking back at the years that have passed, it has been far less excitable than the previous decade since I gained complete freedom of mind. Nevertheless, the period has been challenging, at most times, on so many levels. I made one pact with myself from the words of the excellent Nina Simone: "I have to learn to get up from the table when LOVE is no longer being served."
If there is one resolution I will remember, it will certainly be that.
"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option". Maya Angelou.
These great quotes from strong women who have no doubt tolerated hardship yet come out with messages of hope and understanding that are always inspiring. Great minds develop and make way for extraordinary lives.
My last voyage abroad in 2014 was visiting the delightful city of Budapest and its Christmas markets. With patience, Maximo, my new travel companion, makes me wonder why (well, we all have flows! haha) and I boarded the plane to Hungary's capital on the first weekend of December. Our hope for a snowy Budapest did not flourish. Instead, it rained almost non-stop during our four-day visit, and temperatures plummeted as soon as we landed. There is Buda, and then there is Pest, separated by the river Danube with an island set in its midst. Before our visit, Maximo had come across a poster in the London Underground about the Rembrandt exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest. Yes, in London! Under the wet weather conditions, it seemed a great choice.
 |
| Fine Arts Museum's majestic entrance |
 |
| Inside the museum |
The best way to keep warm was to purchase delicious mulled wine at market stalls and order goulash in the restaurants, which seemed part of the rich diet Hungarians followed. Walking around the Christmas markets with bright shining lights, packed with city dwellers as well as tourists, was charming, with that certain air of joy and the hustle and bustle one would expect the spirit of the season to represent.
 |
| Typical Hungarian candy |
 |
| Christmas Decorations |
Maximo loves walking, and taking taxis is the only option in despair. On our second day, again, we passed by all the back street shops to get to the cruise on the Danube. The glass-covered boats, heated by individual heaters at each row of the long vessel, were a perfect way to keep warm, enjoy the sites and not get wet. I was astounded by the grandeur of the parliament building standing majestically in its gothic splendour on the Pest side. At the same time, the royal palaces magnificently occupied the hills of Buda in their medieval baroque style.
 |
| Royal Palace in Buda |
 |
| Parliament Building in Pest |
After the cruise, we took a path towards the synagogue, which stood in its old glory and needed attention to its current state. It was getting dark in that bitterly cold late afternoon, and passing by an interesting boutique in that alleyway without a taxi in sight was the only option for me, to which Maximo followed suit.
The eco-friendly boutique also had stools at a bar where they served coffee. The girls serving were super friendly. Three T-shirts and a cappuccino later, they called us a cab back to our hotel.
The eco-friendly boutique also had stools at a bar where they served coffee. The girls serving were super friendly. Three T-shirts and a cappuccino later, they called us a cab back to our hotel.
On our last night, dinner was booked at the Halasz Bastya restaurant in Buda's palace area. The place was magnificent, and the food was good, accompanied by a bottle of Hungarian red wine. At the same time, the musicians played live, forever popular music, such as Besa me mucho. The views overlooking the Danube and Pest lit up and were breathtaking.
As our flight the following day was in the early evening, the palaces were a must-visit. We taxied our way to Buda and were faced with a site as magnificent in the daytime as it was lit dimly the night before. The nobility of Baroque architecture shone through the white stones, and the cleanliness of the place was noticeable. Call me OCD! Haha.
Of all the beautiful stories of visits to Budapest friends had encountered, I can only add that the city was a delight, minus the rainy weather! Would love to go back in the summer.
Back at home in London, Christmas was peaceful; having my kids over on the day and cooking Christmas lunch, after almost two decades, was pure joy (although I can't see that happening too often); meeting up with lovely souls I am blessed to call friends and all in all, an excellent ending to a year gone. The weekend before New Year's Eve, that particular itch which lingers in my body to dance and mingle took the better of me, and I ended up at Fabric. I would like to congratulate my friends on making so many fans happy to sign the petition to the council to keep the club going. Over the last couple of years, countless underground clubs (rave clubs) have been taken over by the councils and sold to be replaced by even more high-rises. It is like the heart and soul of the city sold to the highest bidders of properties valued at prices very few can afford. And hence the expression; money talks.
As a result of my wild night out, I spent the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 in bed, sick. I can hear fireworks outside; it is New Year's Eve, after all, and what am I doing? Happily stay home (all alone, I may add) and keep this hot flu to myself. Wouldn't want to be spreading that around now! New Year's Eve party invites could have been better. The thought of my brief meeting with a young man at Fabric Club made me smile.
'At the club, moving from room to room, keeping the door open to the following person, I was taken aback by a compliment flown my way. As I looked back onto a chest only Sampson could have competed with, the hunky dude uttered:
"Mmm... I love your curves!"
The smile on my face must have suggested he could repeat himself, and as he did, I laughed. So, he went on before asking my name or any other question, to ask:
"How old are you?"
Hah, I thought to myself, should I but gave in and answered: "55."
In disbelief, the boy looked at me and said: "Come' on, how old are you?"
And I repeated myself with a certain I'm telling ya attitude.
He persisted that I was not telling the truth, and when I reassured him, he innocently continued: "Can't be; my mum is 47!"
On that note, I laughed: "Honey, everyone's younger than me. That's fine."
The cheeky boy went on wondering if he could in any way touch my curves!
Couldn't let him down, so proposed: "Depends which curves you're talking about."
And before he could gently reach any further than my waste, I disappeared into the crowd.
 |
| The Halasz Bastya restaurant - on the left |
 |
| Inside the restaurant |
 |
| Fieshermen's Bastion on Buda Hill |
 |
| Matthias Church |
 |
| The roof of Matthias Church |
 |
| The Church lit up at night. |
Of all the beautiful stories of visits to Budapest friends had encountered, I can only add that the city was a delight, minus the rainy weather! Would love to go back in the summer.
Back at home in London, Christmas was peaceful; having my kids over on the day and cooking Christmas lunch, after almost two decades, was pure joy (although I can't see that happening too often); meeting up with lovely souls I am blessed to call friends and all in all, an excellent ending to a year gone. The weekend before New Year's Eve, that particular itch which lingers in my body to dance and mingle took the better of me, and I ended up at Fabric. I would like to congratulate my friends on making so many fans happy to sign the petition to the council to keep the club going. Over the last couple of years, countless underground clubs (rave clubs) have been taken over by the councils and sold to be replaced by even more high-rises. It is like the heart and soul of the city sold to the highest bidders of properties valued at prices very few can afford. And hence the expression; money talks.
As a result of my wild night out, I spent the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 in bed, sick. I can hear fireworks outside; it is New Year's Eve, after all, and what am I doing? Happily stay home (all alone, I may add) and keep this hot flu to myself. Wouldn't want to be spreading that around now! New Year's Eve party invites could have been better. The thought of my brief meeting with a young man at Fabric Club made me smile.
'At the club, moving from room to room, keeping the door open to the following person, I was taken aback by a compliment flown my way. As I looked back onto a chest only Sampson could have competed with, the hunky dude uttered:
"Mmm... I love your curves!"
The smile on my face must have suggested he could repeat himself, and as he did, I laughed. So, he went on before asking my name or any other question, to ask:
"How old are you?"
Hah, I thought to myself, should I but gave in and answered: "55."
In disbelief, the boy looked at me and said: "Come' on, how old are you?"
And I repeated myself with a certain I'm telling ya attitude.
He persisted that I was not telling the truth, and when I reassured him, he innocently continued: "Can't be; my mum is 47!"
On that note, I laughed: "Honey, everyone's younger than me. That's fine."
The cheeky boy went on wondering if he could in any way touch my curves!
Couldn't let him down, so proposed: "Depends which curves you're talking about."
And before he could gently reach any further than my waste, I disappeared into the crowd.
Life is about having fun.
It has been a great start to the year, chilling at home under my duvet and listening to music, but it's not so good hearing every neighbouring couple at the top and on each side of my apartment arguing on New Year's Eve. Really?! Every one of them? I could only feel for them and pray they would sort out their differences and be as happy as I am. Then arrived Shiba at my doorstep and stayed with me until tomorrow, my escape to the sun.
My friends, keep warm and cosy and remember that whichever path you go through in life, things are exactly as they should be. Have no fear. Looking back, I see that everything has always worked out, one way or another. Have FAITH. Feel the love in its true sense and give people a chance, even if they don't fit your criteria of what society implies to be your 'circle'. I constantly get pleasantly surprised at those who open their home and their heart to me so freely, and I simply pray for those who let me down unkindly.
Happiest of New Year to ALL. God Bless.
Have to add... My heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends and everyone who supports and cherishes the freedom we have the right to of the shameful acts of cowardice towards the French satirists in Paris. Praying for love and compassion will overcome hatred anywhere.
JE SUIS CHARLIE
It has been a great start to the year, chilling at home under my duvet and listening to music, but it's not so good hearing every neighbouring couple at the top and on each side of my apartment arguing on New Year's Eve. Really?! Every one of them? I could only feel for them and pray they would sort out their differences and be as happy as I am. Then arrived Shiba at my doorstep and stayed with me until tomorrow, my escape to the sun.
My friends, keep warm and cosy and remember that whichever path you go through in life, things are exactly as they should be. Have no fear. Looking back, I see that everything has always worked out, one way or another. Have FAITH. Feel the love in its true sense and give people a chance, even if they don't fit your criteria of what society implies to be your 'circle'. I constantly get pleasantly surprised at those who open their home and their heart to me so freely, and I simply pray for those who let me down unkindly.
Happiest of New Year to ALL. God Bless.
Have to add... My heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends and everyone who supports and cherishes the freedom we have the right to of the shameful acts of cowardice towards the French satirists in Paris. Praying for love and compassion will overcome hatred anywhere.
JE SUIS CHARLIE
No comments:
Post a Comment