A trip to London.

Hello everyone.

Maybe today I can give a little more substance in my blog. I planned this trip a while ago so I decided it would be my only break for the exam period. So obviously, I had to make it a good day.

In a nutshell, the day was spent in South Bank admiring the culture that basks for all the tourists to see (none of that artificial crap found back home in Singapore). Next, it was a nice walk to the West End where we ate at Spuntino's. A brilliant little diner with brilliant little dishes. Exceptional. Last but not least: Les Miserables. It's my second time watching this musical but I was not apprehensive at all. The first time I watched it, I ended up having a sick feeling in my stomach when the characters were waving goodbye. The connection and enjoyment of a good West End musical or play is one of my most memorable experiences while studying here.

The play got me thinking about something else. I'll bet the whole world has known and finds it unsurprising that the rich hang with the rich. That is their circle; their zone. In stark contrast, our heroes of the play, many of whom are from very well-off backgrounds, exercise their charitable selves (e.g. Valjean giving to the needy, taking the pains to actually walk around risking his life doing so) or sarcrificed their very lives for the voice of the poor. Indeed this is the very underlying plot of the movie, hence 'Les Miserables'. And to put further irony into this thought, the Thénardiers, although funny and hilarious, seem to embody that desire and crave to hang about in the elite and bourgeois zone we just mentioned. Is it right that the modern day social norm is to emulate the (thoroughly hilarious and loveable) greedy swindlers that is the Thénardiers? Is it right that, despite their financial position, the rich folk of reality (especially the sons and daughters of whom give no heed to the true nature of charitable ways) do that which is inconsiderate and far away from the behaviour of those who we perceive to be heroes? Does it not point our future generations in the wrong direction?

A bit grey and blue I must say. But then again, there are always amazing people around. The people who do the little acts 'that keep the darkness at bay' (a la Gandalf the Grey). May be this is humanity's way forward to stay human? Who knows. All I know is that I had a great day in London, trying out my new camera for the first time (yes I'm new - please give me pointers!) and enjoying time with a great friend.

Hope you guys had a great weekend.

Flex