A Lunchtime Brazilian

This is a deliberate Olympic torch avoidance after going to see it passing in front of he Parliament. For some reason they let cars in front of the parliament in the opposite direction which had to stop thereby getting in the way of my shot. So I sat in the road instead, snapping away. "there's a coach coming round and you're in danger if you sit there, move please!" The 'please' wasn't exactly sincere. I explain I'm right beside one of the stopped cars which would be hit as well. "move please!" Thing is he has to continue as he's leading the train and can't delay the flame. "You're not the police" I offer to the retreating bus, "I AM! MOVE!".

I stay seated, photograph the flame running with the parly in the background, get up, and am checking my photos on the pavement before the coach comes round completely missing the spot I'd been sitting at.

Have since found out that some of the convoy are MET officers. The runners are. And possibly some of the drivers. Interestingly, having contacted Lothian and Borders police, they don't actually know which are the Londinium h'officers. Might explain why the guy was so brusque...

All of this after seeing four Palestinian guys get their details thoroughly noted down by the police and some of the official Olympic convoy people stop and have a very serious conversation on their walkie-talkie while casting accusing glances back, couldn't possibly tarnish the Olympic message could we...); after the mini-promotions truck convoy had passed. It all just felt a bit.... Cynical....

The thing is, I do like the Olympics and will watch avidly, I just couldn't care less that it's in London, and hate the blatant commercialisation that brings about situations like McDonalds being the only official supplier of chips in a certain radius around the stadium meaning traditional fish and chips sellers have had to get permission... From McDonalds... And anyway, we're talking about an event celebrating the physical performance of those most athletic from around the world, sponsored by fast food joints and fizzy drinks. It all sits a bit oddly.

But I am going to the Olympics. Friends have apparently debated whether I would pull out, which may partly be down to my cynicism about the build up. But then I hate the commercialised build up to Christmas, yet still love the day itself. It's basically the same thing.

Anyway, lunch of gluten free Brazilian pancakes from Tupinquim (with the luckiest Brazilian tourists in the city who, lost and needing directions, not realising that the stand was Brazilian, came over to seek heir hotel). The savoury that I ate in George Square was so good that I had to return for dessert.

The Torch shot that I childishly haven't blipped