21st May
Ever had one of those days when everything just seemed to click and turned out fine? Well that was basically wat summed up today.
We woke up and sat down to a wonderful breakfast of ham omelette, cornflakes and bread, courtesy of Alex. After breakfast it was time to visit St Paul's Cathedral, one of the most recognisable landmarks in London. We managed to get in free of charge as it was holy Sunday. People were streaming into the Church, getting ready for the service.
To say that the murals were beautiful is an understatement. They were glorious. Even as a non-catholic, I felt inspired simply looking at the paintings and the sculptures decorating the massive vaults and pillars of the cathedral. An aura of spiritual peace reverberated off the walls. Everyone spoke in hushed whispers, taking pains not to shatter the quiet sanctity of the place.
I lingered for a while to observe the service. By then Kev had left the cathedral to attend mass at Westminster abbey. After observing the initial proceedings I left the cathedral and made my way towards Millenium Bridge.
As I approached the Bridge I could see from a distance a gathered crowd. Cameras were flashing and I even saw a camera crew. For a moment I thought someone had died. I don't know why, but I always assume the worst when I see a random gathering on the streets. I think I'm one of those who always focus on the ugly side of human nature before anything else.
It soon became clear to me. About 50 odd people were lying together in the open area before the bridge---naked. It's a peaceful demonstration. I was shivering in my thick woolen coat, and these people actually took off their clothes and lay there topless. What was all this for? Human rights? Democracy? World peace?
Nope. It's for something else.
I was amused and delighted to bump into the gathering. I mean, how often do you get to see people lying naked in front of you in a peaceful demonstration? In Singapore we hardly even see a semblance of a demonstration, let alone something as creative as this. Not that it had anything to do with the nudity. Of cos not. Hee hee.
Lau Tee Koh
Went on to Tate Modern to take a look at the exhibition. Some of the pieces on display were puzzling to say the least. They call it modern art. At times I wondered which was more disturbing; the art or the artist? Oh well, what do I know about art? Wanted to take a few pics and let everyone see the works for themselves, but after only two shots I was told by an attendant that photography is not allowed. So too bad, I can't reproduce the art pieces here.
Took the coach to Liverpool in the afternoon. The first thing that I noticed when I stepped out of the coach---Liv is colder. WTF.
22 May
LIVERPOOL--CITY OF CULTURE 2005
When people talk about Liverpool three things come to mind: the Beatles, the football and the accent.
Well, before I started my actual tour of Liverpool, we took a short bus trip down to Manchester in the morning. Manchester is largely an industrialised city with tall buildings and boring architecture. But all that didn't matter. I knew I was there for one reason.
And there it was. My Theatre of Dreams.
Went into the Old Trafford Museum and saw for myself all the trophies (or replicas, I wouldn't know lol) that the Red Devils have won over the years. A pity they were all enclosed. I would have loved to get a feel of the trophies.
Anyway, we enquired about entering the terraces and seeing the pitch. The staff told us that we can only enter the grounds via the stadium tour, which starts at 11 am. Kev told me we didn't have enough time because the coach back to Liv leaves the station at noon. Oh well, so be it then.
Then we got back to the station and Kev took out the tic. DEPARTURE TIME--12 45. WTF. WWWWWTTTTTTFFFFF. Lesson learnt: Never visit Old Trafford with a Liverpudlian. Tmd.
We made our way back to Liverpool and visited (yeah, guess wat) Anfield. This time round, we DID take the stadium tour and saw the dressing room, pitch and players' tunnel. You can tell that Anfield is the pride of Liverpool. They took great pains to immortalise the achievements of the club over the years.
The Kop stand was named to commemorate the death of 11 Scousers who fought in Africa (on a peak named Scion Kop) a long long time ago. The stand faces the peak, so they named it the Kop.
It's a nice place, Anfield. Basket after that I realised how much I missed. Well, it doesn't matter so much becos I know I'll definitely visit Old Trafford again. And when I do that, I swear, it'll be a Match Day.
We made our way to Albert Docks after that. Want to know how cold it is? Well, Kev took a pic of me at the Docks.
But before that he took one before I smiled for the camera.
Yeah. This basically summed it up.
Had a nice dinner with our hosts Ida and Joanne after that. Went back to their place and hoppen onto the bus to London the next day.
Ever had one of those days when everything just seemed to click and turned out fine? Well that was basically wat summed up today.
We woke up and sat down to a wonderful breakfast of ham omelette, cornflakes and bread, courtesy of Alex. After breakfast it was time to visit St Paul's Cathedral, one of the most recognisable landmarks in London. We managed to get in free of charge as it was holy Sunday. People were streaming into the Church, getting ready for the service.
To say that the murals were beautiful is an understatement. They were glorious. Even as a non-catholic, I felt inspired simply looking at the paintings and the sculptures decorating the massive vaults and pillars of the cathedral. An aura of spiritual peace reverberated off the walls. Everyone spoke in hushed whispers, taking pains not to shatter the quiet sanctity of the place.
I lingered for a while to observe the service. By then Kev had left the cathedral to attend mass at Westminster abbey. After observing the initial proceedings I left the cathedral and made my way towards Millenium Bridge.
As I approached the Bridge I could see from a distance a gathered crowd. Cameras were flashing and I even saw a camera crew. For a moment I thought someone had died. I don't know why, but I always assume the worst when I see a random gathering on the streets. I think I'm one of those who always focus on the ugly side of human nature before anything else.
It soon became clear to me. About 50 odd people were lying together in the open area before the bridge---naked. It's a peaceful demonstration. I was shivering in my thick woolen coat, and these people actually took off their clothes and lay there topless. What was all this for? Human rights? Democracy? World peace?
Nope. It's for something else.
I was amused and delighted to bump into the gathering. I mean, how often do you get to see people lying naked in front of you in a peaceful demonstration? In Singapore we hardly even see a semblance of a demonstration, let alone something as creative as this. Not that it had anything to do with the nudity. Of cos not. Hee hee.
Lau Tee Koh
Went on to Tate Modern to take a look at the exhibition. Some of the pieces on display were puzzling to say the least. They call it modern art. At times I wondered which was more disturbing; the art or the artist? Oh well, what do I know about art? Wanted to take a few pics and let everyone see the works for themselves, but after only two shots I was told by an attendant that photography is not allowed. So too bad, I can't reproduce the art pieces here.
Took the coach to Liverpool in the afternoon. The first thing that I noticed when I stepped out of the coach---Liv is colder. WTF.
22 May
LIVERPOOL--CITY OF CULTURE 2005
When people talk about Liverpool three things come to mind: the Beatles, the football and the accent.
Well, before I started my actual tour of Liverpool, we took a short bus trip down to Manchester in the morning. Manchester is largely an industrialised city with tall buildings and boring architecture. But all that didn't matter. I knew I was there for one reason.
And there it was. My Theatre of Dreams.
Went into the Old Trafford Museum and saw for myself all the trophies (or replicas, I wouldn't know lol) that the Red Devils have won over the years. A pity they were all enclosed. I would have loved to get a feel of the trophies.
Anyway, we enquired about entering the terraces and seeing the pitch. The staff told us that we can only enter the grounds via the stadium tour, which starts at 11 am. Kev told me we didn't have enough time because the coach back to Liv leaves the station at noon. Oh well, so be it then.
Then we got back to the station and Kev took out the tic. DEPARTURE TIME--12 45. WTF. WWWWWTTTTTTFFFFF. Lesson learnt: Never visit Old Trafford with a Liverpudlian. Tmd.
We made our way back to Liverpool and visited (yeah, guess wat) Anfield. This time round, we DID take the stadium tour and saw the dressing room, pitch and players' tunnel. You can tell that Anfield is the pride of Liverpool. They took great pains to immortalise the achievements of the club over the years.
The Kop stand was named to commemorate the death of 11 Scousers who fought in Africa (on a peak named Scion Kop) a long long time ago. The stand faces the peak, so they named it the Kop.
It's a nice place, Anfield. Basket after that I realised how much I missed. Well, it doesn't matter so much becos I know I'll definitely visit Old Trafford again. And when I do that, I swear, it'll be a Match Day.
We made our way to Albert Docks after that. Want to know how cold it is? Well, Kev took a pic of me at the Docks.
But before that he took one before I smiled for the camera.
Yeah. This basically summed it up.
Had a nice dinner with our hosts Ida and Joanne after that. Went back to their place and hoppen onto the bus to London the next day.
posted by ZL at 5:01 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home