Book raves

Two books that I've really enjoyed reading recently - "1491" a history of the Americas pre Columbus and "De Repente Un Angel" a novel.

First the history....stop yawning, it's interesting honestly. "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue"..............and after that Europeans got to be top dog and brought civilisation to America!

That's probably what most of us were taught at school. But this book works through what we know, think we know and are still finding out about the Americas before Columbus arrived. Charles C. Mann uses recent research and findings to challenge the old beliefs, for example he demonstrates that the cities that Cortez encountered in Mexico were bigger and as sophisticated (if not more so) than the major European cities of the time. Charles Mann is a journalist and writes in a great easy to read style. He's enthusiastic about what he finds out and eager to share, so it's not some crusty tome. This is history for everyone. Enjoy.

And probably less accessibly for most people I know, "De Repente Un Angel" (Suddenly an angel) by Jaime Bayly, a Peruvian novelist. It's a powerful story of families and forgiveness, which at times made me laugh out loud or cry. At the same time it paints a picture of
Peru today, of a hierachical society of privilege and poverty which I recognised from my time there. It's earthy, romantic, shocking and beautiful. I couldn't put it down but unfortunately I suspect it doesn't exist in English. But if you do read Spanish I'd recommend it.

Visiting your own backyard

It seems to be a rule that you never visit places on your doorstep, as if somehow because they're easy they're not worthwhile.

So what about Southampton, my home city? Well at first sight it's pretty unappealing to the tourist and the Lonely Planet for the UK gives it short shrift. It has to be said that it lacks much of architectural merit because it was bombed heavily in the Second World War and like all of the South Coast cities, the response to all the damage was to build nasty, concrete second rate buildings. Fortunately these are now being taken down and slightly better buildings are replacing them (fingers crossed).

But what is there to interest the casual visitor...well it's the port that gives it its character and it always has done. There was a Roman settlement and then a Saxon one (Hamtun). Surprisingly it has the second biggest stretch of medieval city wall standing (York has the most) and it is quite amazing to stand at one corner by West Quay and look down one long side to the current water and think that this was what once made a city. It's a little tiny space and you can walk the whole space in an hour or so, if you don't get distracted on the way.

There's also the remains of a Saxon church (another bomb victim), Holy Trinity on the High Street, which is now a Merchant Navy memorial. It's been done really beautifully retaining what's left and using audio devices to play local people's memories of the city. You can hear proper Hampshire accents, which are incredibly rare now (a bit like a toned down South West accent).

And if you like looking at big cruise liners, you might be in luck and see one of the many that operate out of Southampton - Queen Mary, QEII, Oriana - to name a few. And then of course you can use it as a jumping off point for the Isle of Wight, the New Forest, Winchester and lots of other "nicer" places. But I think what I have come to like about this city, is that is that it knows what it is and how it makes its living and what gives it its character. It's a port, a bit rough round the edges at times, but alive and with pride in the past and the present. It's real and I like that.

Unsuspected side effects of travelling

The other day a piece of serendipity happened to me and as generally occurs in these cases I was left in a very good mood.

I was in London for the day and due to a change of plans suddenly had the afternoon free, I was walking past the National Theatre on the South Bank, when I wondered if it was matinee day. So I went in to ask and it was, and even better a play I really wanted to see was on and even better than that because it was not sold out, they were selling off stall seats half price. How could I refuse to see the play after all of that!

Which is how I found myself the youngest person by about 20 years (at a conservative estimate) at a performance of "Once In A Lifetime" a joyous play about the coming of sound to Hollywood. One of the quotes outside the theatre says "A well oiled laughter machine" and they're not wrong. It's also stylish, beautiful to look at and superbly acted.

But to add to my enjoyment there was audience watching. Of course I could have come over all stressed at the tortoise like pace of the audience in seating themselves (hard to negotiate steps with rickety knees and difficult to see seat and row numbers when you don't bend easily anymore) but instead I decided to relax and observe. Of course the benefit of it being a largely grey haired audience was that it was terribly well behaved and considerate, which is a pleasant experience.

I was surrounded by Americans, both sides and behind me and the benefit of this to the single play goer is that you know they will be happy to talk to you and you don't have to sit in stony silence. Having been to the theatre before on my own and sat next to Brits, I know that this is more unusual with my fellow countrymen. However, I also know that my own attitude has changed as a result of travelling in countries where people are enthusiastic about talking to strangers. So instead of radiating a protective forcefield with flashing signs saying "Don't talk to me", that afternoon I opened the conversation! Interesting how far the effects of travelling stretch.