Spitalfields

“The next building and the one opposite were white stone palaces. There were steps up to the entrances and colonnades across the front. Men in dark suits trotted briskly up and down the steps, in pairs or in threes. They barked to each other and nodded sombrely. Sometimes one clapped a hand on his companion’s shoulder and Nazneen saw that this was not for reassurance, but for emphasis. Every person who brushed past her on the pavement, every back she saw, was on a private, urgent mission to execute a precise and demanding plan: to get a promotion today, to be exactly on time for an appointment, to buy a newspaper with the right coins so that the exchange was swift and seamless, to walk without wasting a second and to reach the roadside just as the lights turned red.”

— Brick Lane: Monica Ali

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Walking from Waterloo to Spitalfields was living proof that the pandemic was a thing of the past if not a memory. There were queues outside the more popular street food shops and sandwich bars and the pavements were heaving. The city was in full swing.

We ate at Unity Diner where the food is fantastic. Shared a vegan lobster poutine amongst other things. Get with it, amazingly tasty. 

The market was a bit low key. Buzzes at weekends. Found a Chinese supermarket that sold paper tofu (thin sheets). Got caught in a rain shower that soaked us through in about 45 seconds. After that we decided to head home and get warm. 

Did the doggy bag for supper and played games. Had a beer (first alcohol in five days). Managed to stay up to 10pm. 

Good day. Check out the extras. The insensitively name Jack the Clipper and the Donovan Brothers, and Your Tour Guide is Lying to You.