Meditation and mayhem in Bangkok!

On my way home at last!  But not without a stop over in that most vibrant, bustling, colourful and yet...most sublime of south east Asian cities...Bangkok.  I never pass the opportunity to centre myself in the land of the free...Thailand.  It is truly remarkable.  All present thoughts however, must go out to the wonderfully resilient people of this noble country, for they are more than knee deep in trouble at the moment.  For a culture that has been built on, in and around water, (and the Thai's will be the first to tell you how important it is) there is just too much of the blessed stuff.  Despite great hardship though, I am most comfortably welcomed by those around me.  
You know despite what others say, I always manage to find peace here.  Unfortunately, the reputation of Bangkok suffers greatly from those who decry the noise, the heat, the pollution and the crowds, but they do not look any further than their air conditioned tour buses as they hurtle headlong to the beaches or the mountain resorts far north.  Bangkok has a sublime beauty that is not found elsewhere. A carefully tendered shrine just around the corner, the heavenly scent of beautifully crafted jasmine garlands always in the air and the patient smile of a street vendor always within sight...Bangkok is there to be savoured. Just as I am going to savour a refreshing Singha beer in a charming little bar in a tree lined Soi just off Silom Road.  Sublime indeed!

Dreams and Dada in Zurich

Zurich oozes money...breathes money...and, costs money, lots of it! Even the most basic of activities seem to cost a small fortune, except of course, for that most basic of activities: a long, relaxing meander through narrow, fairy tale like lanes and down towards the river; just don't stop for a coffee!  Refreshments aside, a relaxing stroll is exactly what is called for in Zurich for it truly is beautiful and...surprising. With stunning, dream like architecture,  and mysteriously dark shops full of all sorts of interesting things, one can't help but be filled with expectation for what might be just around the next corner.  For a country that has a reputation for being staid and responsible, there is a refreshing air of the bizarre that is so very appealing.  It should really come as no surprise however,  for Zurich is the home of Cabaret Voltaire and Dada, that movement of the absurd that attracted an amusing collection of non-artists who created non art...all in a very arty fashion.  Like Dada, Zurich has whimsy and hasn't lost that spirit and desire to mock the establishment.  Thank goodness.  Too much respectability would be too much to bear in city that has has so much beauty. Well within view of the swans sailing majestically on the painfully beautiful lake, I have settled into an armchair of ample comfort to ponder the absurd and to enjoy a refreshing Turbinenbrau Sprint, from the Turbinenbrau brewery in Zurich.  Sprint is fresh and refreshing  enough to have another.  I had best get my credit card ready!