There are parking suggestions rather than parking rules.
Vespas rule.
Even Ferraris get stuck in traffic
Even homeless people have dogs
Ross knows not to go near a set of scales.
We arrived safely – the trip was a bit boring really. Boredom becomes excitement as soon as the plane lands.
(I do think Myrl was Italian – there must be some genetic reason for me loving Italy this much.)
Ross
Waiting to board my Emirates flight to Dubai….. When I sent out the details of my flight on #illridewithyou I didn’t quite expect this many women in hajibs to turn up in response to my offer. Even some who look like they work as hosties! Still if it is my protection they need, then as a Man of Empire…..
Seriously though, Linda and I were overseas during the Cronulla riots in 2005. We were both ashamed to know that we were citizens of a country that had spawned this hatred. The number of times I’ve been tearful reading #illridewithyou posts restores my faith in Australians. Heading overseas it is a completely different feeling to that of 2005.
There are plenty of others in history who have refused to bow to terror. King Christian X gets all the credit for riding around Copenhagen wearing the yellow star during the Nazi occupation – his 1943 version of #illridewithyou. Although wearing the Star of David or the yellow J was something he would definitely have done if asked – he never actually did those things, the story is an urban myth. He did show Danes by his daily ride without bodyguards that, despite the Nazi invasion, none of their values had changed.
What did happen throughout Denmark though is just as heartening. For the historians or for those who are looking for acts of courage look up the story of Georg Duckwitz. Ordinary Danes stepped up in a big way. Out of more than 6000 Jews in Copenhagen the Nazis only found 202 on the night of the big roundup in 1943. German-born Georg was the hero, along with the neighbours and friends of Jewish families. King Christian X set the example – not through the mythical wearing of the Star of David but though his many other acts of resistance to the Nazi terror. Georg and others followed their King’s lead.
It is possible to fight fear through kind acts. The Danes -including Georg Duckwitz, – and Aussies Rachael Jacobs and @sirtessa have shown us how it’s done. My heroes.
Better let you go Farquar
For a number of years Linda and I travelled to and from Europe with a stopover in Hong Kong. Apart from the incredible food, one of the attractions of that city is a wonderful tailor. Jim’s Tailor Workshop is owned by a bespoke tailor who is always highly recommended by the expat community. The workers he employs all proudly wear the red prancing horse badge on their left lapel – given only to master craftsmen. The cloth is the best in the world – fine Italian wool, heavier British or German cloths, Egyptian cotton, Japanese silks, and their garments are always reasonably priced, especially given the quality of each piece . We went a number of times to have the some of my favourite items of clothing sewn – suits, shirts, trousers. Yet still I always found it awful to enter that shop because of one man. Henry.
Henry works front of house and is responsible for all measurements. I don’t think he has Aspergers, it is unlikely that he has been injected with truth serum or has been hypnotised – the brutality of his language probably arises from English being just one of the many languages he speaks apart from his native dialect. But in any case he lacks anything even remotely similar to the kindness of subtlety.
Linda would always get the same response from Henry when being measured – “Miss Linda, hip same as last time.” or “Miss Linda – stomach same as last time.” Then it would be my turn.
Henry would take out his tape and start to make funny clicking sounds as he measured various body parts. He would look at his notes, sip tea or pick at some noodles, measure again then make huffing sounds and write down some mandarin characters. After that the comments would start:
‘Your neck still very fat’
Polite embarrassed smile from Rossco.
“Your chest same as last time – but more fat under arms now.”
‘Yep, thanks for that Henry’
” You so short – but your stomach very fat”
“That’s quite enough thanks Henry”
“You have skinny hip, no muscle, but big, fat stomach. ‘
“Be quiet now Henry!
‘You have bandy legs – probably from big fat stomach – hehehe’
‘WHY DON’T YOU JUST SHUT YOUR STUPID GOB HENRY!!!”
I would always leave Jim’s Custom Tailors carrying beautiful hand sewn clothing but feeling like a sideshow freak. Linda would leave giggling and with a knowing smile, Henry would be left making those clicking and huffing sounds as he wrote the new measurements on my file. The whole process would have to be repeated 3 days later with the canvas patten, then 4 weeks later again with the finished product. And always the same observations about my body from Hong Kong’s Mr Diplomacy – Henry and his bloody tape measure.
I love Hong Kong. I love the food, I love the clothes I love the Harbour – but my God, I hate Henry with passion.
Sort of pleased we’re going to Europe via Dubai this time – just for my own healing, but still very fragile ego.
Ross
Our son Mitchell is travelling by himself through India as we (don’t actually) speak. Being a true Cunnington-Smythe he too has the travel bug.
It was pointed out by Lady Cunnington-Smythe that Mitchell is almost my exact doppelgänger – Farley Jr. indeed!!!!
A wager – 1 rupee for anyone who can tell us apart in these photographs…………….
The Balkans
It’s not toooooo long now until Linda and I head off to the Balkans and three cities we have never previously visited – Zagreb, Ljubljiana, and Venice. I don’t know how Venice has been missed from previous itineraries. We have been to Italy about half a dozen times and missed the Grand Canal. Very careless.
I know why Ljubljiana has been missed – probably because it’s very difficult to spell. This makes it hard for airline pilots to enter into their autopilot – particularly those who do not speak Slovenian. Plus Slovenia itself is very small (I know blokes from Rosewood who could mow Slovenia.)
Zagreb has been off the radar because until relatively recently it was still being shot at. But Venice?
Anyway – here’s a link to the itinerary:
The Very Excellent Adventures of the Cunnington-Smythes 