Dish-lickers in Dorset
It was almost exactly 13 and a half months ago that we first bumped into Alex and Emilie. Sharing a room in Bariloche with a dutch girl we had met in El Calafate they, like us, were figuring out the best way to get to Pucon in Chile to climb the volcano. After a visit to the bus station it was decided that a bus the following morning to San Martin de los Andes for the night and then the connecting bus to Pucon the following morning.
In an almost repeat performance of our last minute dash to the bus in Bariloche while Alex contemplated delaying tactics, I arrived at London Victoria after a frantic dash across London only seconds before the bus was due to depart, while Lucas stood waiting, not knowing whether I would make it after some panicked text messages had been fired off.
The destination was Bournemouth where we were meeting with Alex and Emilie for a weekend in Poole and surrounding areas. First stop was the beach where Lucas and I charged into the English channel for a refreshing dip - the gale force winds whipping the sand across our backs in a most painful fashion. Then a hot chocolate which could better be desribed as a bowl of cream and marshmallows with some chocolate sauce, hmmmmmm.
After a quick shower, a Cusquena (Cusco beer) and a Brahma (Brazil beer) we headed off to the track - the greyhounds, minimum bet £1, (or 50p for the trifecta etc). Emilie's brother being the only one to win anything after about eight races meant we needed to find a pub in which to drown our sorrows. The Quay is apparently the best spot for such an endeavour and we tottered 'down the Quay' for a pint of Fursty Ferret among others. After having shaken some mean hoof on the dance floor at the new nightclub we kebabbed ourselves and set off home. A lone witches hat (or orange cone as they are called here) accompanied us home, hats being headwear of course.
The next morning we took a drive through the greenest countryside I've ever seen, quite stunning, to Milton Abbas and had 'Dorset cream tea', known to us as Devonshire tea to the dismay of Dorsettians claiming it had originated in those parts. This was followed by a quick visit to the outline of a stone giant of unknown origins - reports range from it being a picture of Oliver Cromwell (the theory to which I subscribe of course) to an ancient god.
It was fantastic to see Alex and Emilie again and the weekend was characterised by the sharing of travel stories and aspirations for further travel. We have no doubt that we'll be crossing paths again in some part of the world, thanks again for a great weekend guys!
Heading off to Amsterdam tomorrow afternoon for my birthday weekend celebrations over the long weekend. Prepare yourself for some not so deep and fairly unmeaningful, if even comprehensible about the aging process and visions for the future from the vantage point of a 26 year old.
ps. 2 x13 = 26, hmmmmmmm. I will also be half my mum's age and twice the age I was when I was a third of her age. Home time so no more maths geekery for me today.
posted by Nick at 11:15 pm
3 Comments:
Just looking at some census data about religion.
There is a statement that says “20% of people declaring their religion also practice it, ie. follow the requirements of their religion”
follow the requirements of their religion!!! GRRRRR. I cannot believe we live in a world where people think that by abiding by a set of stupid rules they are part of a religion – oooh better face 23 degrees south west at exactly at 1:04 and 29 seconds and say the exact right words in the right language otherwise I will be sent to burn in the fires of hell. There must be a block in their intelligence somewhere that prevents them from looking at what they are doing and laughing.
Maybe I should hop on one foot and rub my belly each morning because mohammed stepped on a holy stone while he was hungry because he was talking to Allah to much.
That goes for all religions - although recently it's been Islamic prayer times have been inconveniencing me, and therefore everyone (including less 'devout' muslims), attending the seminars I am running.
Friday, May 26, 2006 10:33:00 pm
Be careful, you'll get a Fatwa placed on your head.
I do agree. Fundamentalist religiosity tends to diminish people's sense of humour and ability to be self-critical.
Importantly, its not, as commonly believed, the 'have-nots' who are fundamentalists or enforcers of fundamentalisms, but usually local religious elites who see their power being usurped by "globalisation".
It is in this context, that arguing all cultural-religious practices/traditions are equal and beyond criticism from those of different cultures is problematic.
Keep fighting the power and Happy Birthday.
Monday, May 29, 2006 2:33:00 pm
Now it depends on how you are defining a 'have-not' and 'fundamentalist'.
For someone to cling to their desperate faith in an antique superstition is defining them as a 'have-not' - they have no other reason for living than the pathetic hope that once this (seemingly unbearable) existence comes to end they will finally find peace and happiness in 'the next life', just so long as they follow the divine protocols.
A fundamentalist is anyone who believes that their right to worship or even believe in whatever meta-physical creation they can conjure up should be afforded any more respect or tolerance than any other half-bit cult.
Obviously people in power want to hold onto it - religion being the best way to control the uneducated, advertising and entertainment being the best way to control the educated and consumption obsessed.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 6:44:00 pm
Post a Comment
<< Home