A Nerd in London

   Reading an article on Literary Hub almost made me feel homesick for a place I've never seen before, namely Lisbon. (https://lithub.com/wandering-through-literary-lisbon-in-search-of-pessoas-disquiet/). Still, I cannot write about a place that I've barely read about and have never visited. With that in mind, I will write about a place I (platonically) fell in love with, London. I'm in awe of everything even remotely related to it, from the weather and the clean roads to its quite polite people. It is expensive from every point of view, but it is worth it. (Note: Some words here are taken directly from the short journal entries I've written during that week.)

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   I thought the first day would be chaotic, but I forgot I was dealing with the British organisation. Speaking of British, the museum of the same name had a horrifyingly long queue. It was one of the main attractions that I unfortunately missed. So I spent most of the afternoon wandering through the Russel Square Park, wondering if London might overthrow Brussels on my list of favourite capitals. The neighbourhood was quiet enough to make an introvert happy, but fortunately not quite enough to drive me insane. Everything moved at a slower pace, as though the verb “to rush” didn't exist for them. Through this and the fact that the English don't seem to have the habit of talking to strangers, I felt less exhausted than when in Rome or Athens. 

   Quickly, I got used to the very organised London Underground. Still, that doesn't mean I wasn't on edge. Nothing gets me more nervous than meeting the people I admire, albeit in wax form. At Madame Tussaud's, I felt as if I was stared at by people ranging from Barack Obama to Benedict Cumberbatch. Afterwards came the small Sherlock Holmes Museum, on 221B Baker Street. I encountered Moriarty, The Man With the Twisted Lip, and even the only person that outwitted Holmes, Irene Adler. I nearly saw myself sitting on the famous interrogation armchair, though not as a client. Likewise, I guess one needs to be both the king of swords and of cups in order to be a detective. Afterwards, the day ended with a vegan ramen (Kare Burosu Ramen) at Wagamama, where I met and talked extensively with a relative.

   The third day started and ended in a bus. The first stop was Westminster Abbey, where I was in awe of rich art and history.  Even though I lean towards atheism and am rather apathetic towards the monarchy, I couldn't help but marvel (bitter-sweet) at the centuries of hard work that led to its construction. The gothic architecture truly shines through its stained-glass windows. Then, after a long walk in Trafalgar Square and a visit to The Household Cavalry Museum, followed the lunch in Whitehall. The pulled mushroom, vegan chilli at Silver Cross left me drinking loads of lemonade and wondering if I would survive travelling to Mexico. Afterwards, I almost got lost trying to find the Fopp record shop. Once there, I bought three albums for three friends: Arctic Monkeys' "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" for a friend with a music taste as diverse as mine, Bring Me the Horizon's "Post Human: Survival Horror" for a (fellow) Linkin Park fan, and Deftones' "White Pony" for the eternal alternative admirer in the group. The afternoon was spent entirely in a double decker, learning the history from above. 

  Enormous as London is, it's rather hard to get lost. If you pay attention to the underground lines, you'll reach your destination in the blink of an eye. At least, that's how I got from Russel Square to the Tower Hill. From the bridge, the tower itself and crown jewels to the exhibition of medieval armours and weaponry and the museum of medals, the experience crowned the enchantment of the day. After a lunch at Itsu, a visit at the HMS Belfast followed. It was an intriguing experience to see the machinery that led Britannia to rule the waves. On the way back, I stopped at the Paddington station to see and take pictures of the famous bear.

   Friday was one hell of a way to spend my coming-of-age birthday since I visited four attractions. The natural history museum had an impressive collection that obviously makes every nerd happy. I haven't seen the Smithsonian (yet), but I would bet this one is its European equivalent. Then came the Royal Albert Hall, which I still cannot believe I visited. The place has such an intriguing history, both in terms of the building itself and the events that take place inside. Speaking of which, the tour took place during the rehearsals of the BBC Proms. In the auditorium, I was so engrossed in the music of that Manchester group that I almost didn't hear the cue of our friendly guide, Eve, to leave the place. I can only imagine what it is like to be there when some of the greatest names in the industry perform. After lunch, the Globe Theatre and Shakespeare's entrepreneurship surprised me in the best way possible. Yet another friendly guide, Katie, walked the group through the unique world of the place. Once again, it was during the rehearsals for the play "As You Like It", which got us a glimpse of the nuts and bolts of the theatre. When that ended, I crossed the nearby bridge and marvelled at St. Paul's Cathedral. In the end, it is needless to say that I slept soundly that night.

  Saturday morning was spent seeing roughly a quarter of the giant Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. The Japanese Garden, the glasshouses, the cacti, and the tropical trees only complete the landscape. I tried to take a picture of a bumblebee but failed miserably. After lunch, I read "The Chess Players" by Ricardo Reis before starting the hunt for souvenirs. I bought teas and teacups, magnets, and rubber bracelets for relatives and acquaintances. A cup of tea at Pret a Manger made all the senseless running worth it. The evening was spent planning the final day and getting the clothes ready to be packed.

   The last day was spent inside the Queen's Galleries. That's where I learned a lot about the art and fashion of the regency era. English portraiture was becoming less formal and more casual. Most people dressed the same, regardless of their social status or income. A way to distinguish the noble was to look for awards or expensive fabrics. In addition the knowledge provided, this collection reminded me that art can also be about symbolism and the story of the masterpiece. It's neither posh nor arrogant to enjoy it, as I used to believe. On my way back, I caught a glimpse of the guard change ritual. Again, my apathy towards both the monarchy and the pompous showed itself in my disinterested figure. Once at the hotel, the rest of that lovely Sunday was spent packing for the day of departure. 

   That one was chaotic. I missed the flight in morning, had to buy a new ticket and had to wait until 19.00 for the departure. In addition to that, the road from Bucharest to Craiova was quite tiring. Basically, I slept about 3 hours and when I tried to go back to it, I couldn't because of the bloody heat. 

   All in all, did London surpass Brussels? Definitely, I think it's head and shoulders above it. I love everything about this town and I might as well return either here or to yet another British city. Anyway, I'm going to wrap it up here with the sonnet I promised. Now, back to the tea! 🍵

Rhetoric

A knot in the throat blocks one's though;

A tongue that bleeds will not be in favour

Of the words that to exist had fought.

But it's all too much of a labour

 

For a mind that always sought 

To savour the winter's flavour

As tranquility it has not 

And disquiet is its only saviour

Apollo's light hid Artemis' mystery;

"Just a cup of tea?" came the Socratic question.

But staring at his feet may only bring misery

And an anaesthetic sensation.

It was a demon he had to dance with

One for whom rejections or mistakes were a mere myth.

Senseless Rhyme

    Apparently, reading the lyrics of songs makes one want to write those themselves. Well, it wasn't just song lyrics. It was also a massive obsession with Fernando Pessoa, William Shakespeare and Mihai Eminescu. I'm currently reading "A Little Larger Than the Entire Universe" and it's fascinating, to say the least. It might as well get a review and an amateur analysis of "Tabacaria/The Tobacco Shop". Anyway, here's some senseless rhyme I wrote with the help of a tarot deck, good music and other poets. 

1. The Sun

The Sun rose in a crimson colour

Above the drops on a flower;

It rose like never before 

Burning everything to the core.

The Sun rose in a crimson colour

But he had too much power:

Everything underneath withered

And a small dandelion whispered:

"I'm glad for the rain of my plain."

(source: fineartamerica)

2. Hummingbird 

There is still a tower

And it's still getting higher

Are there stars somewhere, out there?

Is there more to bear?

One could lose the plot before getting it

It can be searing before liberation

But when the pulse is fit

One gets to be, to truly feel free

 

3. Demon's Circle (Hyakkimaru)

Crushed skulls, burnt towers

Fresh blood on the shirts 

I lack of any powers

Yet I stand where it burnt

Flames swallowed my skin

I swear this is Nirvana

Because I stand amongst my kin

And I still hold the katana

4. Spider Lilly

Though it's just a memory,

Nobody can steal the spider lilly.

Though it can bring rain,

It was never to blame. 

Still raindrops on leaves and spike

It's the pleasure of the ghostlike.

That's plain calm in an oasis

And that's peace inside the abyss.

A dragonfly above water,

An eagle between clouds,

I never fail to wonder 

What's the lilly in their minds?

 

5.  Lost (spot the reference)

I feel I'm about to fade

Horror was never my trade;

It's all paralysing

It's like I'm sleepwalking.

I felt this way before 

It's all rotten to the core, so insecure

Peace was all the cost 

But fighting myself I always lost.

6. Corvus MCMXCIV

I'm missing marbles long forsaken

Most hope went down the well

As my wings are long broken

For a reason I cannot tell

Something, somewhere just went missing;

But they say were are all victims

Nothing is worse than the hissing

Of mind's illness and symptoms.

7. About Sumwan

Torn to pieces, yet full of joy

Often alone, yet never lonely

What to expect from the boy 

Who lost all the dearly and lovely? 

In Lisbon, a mere wanderer

Walking both relaxed and agitated 

To mortals, he is wonder

Who he is? Well, to no one he is related

Nothing really bothers him,

Searches his luck from inn to inn;

He gathers peace and anxiety

So as to have variety.

Lisbon bores and inspires him

Many are the paradoxes within 

Most are complex, yet superficial

Everything and nothing is artificial. 

8.  Poet's Attic, 

All the rooms smell of lavender

And white rose, equally intense;

Then it was no wonder

That the word of the muse was immense.

Drunk from dreaming,

The poet takes a seat.

In word and charm drowning,

The night passes in a heartbeat. 

9. Black Goat XV

The cage has an open door

But nobody would leave the floor;

 Who would still need a laugh

When hell is comfortable enough?

To drown in misery or suffer in joy,

All for the sake of a broken toy?

Nothing to lose and nothing to gain

When all you know is pain.

10. Grammatik

Ich fahre gern in den Berg;

Ich bin frei in die Türkei.

Ich bin in Sommer, in August geboren;

Ich bin 2005 geboren und habe meine Angst verloren. 

Am Freitag ist Feiertag (18.08.2023),

Ich bin 18 der ganzer Tag

Und ich habe kein Kopf auf den Hof. 

11. Rhetoric

Eyes of doom fill the room

There's nothing left but gloom;

Anubis will judge soon

If this will be his last noon.

Aaron, merely anon.

Steps forward without a tone;

He felt his bleeding tongue

As a raven sang the the horror of his song. 

12. Ace of Pentacles

The door opens and you see the garden

With the lavender in bloom;

The call so sudden of a siren

Lures you where to feel is your doom.

But the coins begin to roll

To the one with a hundred souls,

The one whose morning star shines above the hall

With the tongues of fire that inside him crawl.

13. The Charioteer of Alexandria

A sphinx in their spring

With a sceptre of gold;

A king of whom the bards sing

For his mind & heart are so bold.

The sign of Thoth reigns above his head

For wisdom is his creed;

He often found the light that led 

Out of the night of his peer's head. 

 

   That's it for today. A sonnet also named "Rhetoric" is on its way. Now, back to the tea. 🍵