News from the far south east

Time runs faster and faster. Or at least my perception of time has become less fine. Last time I was employed I sometimes felt that the weekend was so far away. That doesnt happen anymore. The weeks just disappear. I thought time seemed to run faster and faster because our brain got slower with age. But apparently there is a lot more to it than that. When you have lived for your very first year, it will take you your whole lifetime to live another year. But then you will have to live 2 years to live your whole lifetime again. Now I will have to live 31 years to achieve the same experience. Another factor is that less and less things are new to us. Well, I was reading up on it, and there where more factors to it, but I cant remember them all. Another known factor is, if you keep your self busy as well as having a good time you will make sure the days just disappear before you know it. Well, I must admit, I think I do more now than I ever did. The weeks are jam packed with events.
Some things got no answer to why, but I'm realy glad I do them. Such as learning the piano. I wanted it for years, and now when taking lessons it feels realy rewarding. Even though Im just on Jingle Bells, I can already see I have learned a whole heap of stuff. It's something realy satisfying about learning something new. One of my philosophies are that when I got to bed at night, I should know something I didn't know the day before.
Yesterday we where a bunch of people going for a very casual dinner at a local indian restaurant. Among us was this Australian guy called Peter. I have met him briefly before, but never talked much to him. He came back from a 7 month trip in India a little while ago. We was staying at a monastery in the north Indian countryside. practicing Buddhist meditation.
I think I must have had very strong prejudice about these things. Caucasian backpacking vegan neo-hippies with dreads, being so damn spiritual while listening to some mixture of reggae and trance music. This guy was full on rockabilly, from the tattoos to the quiff. Did not come across as a spiritual guy at all, although very humble.
To get back to the subject. He was talking about the benefits of meditation and how it can be used in a practical way. Apparently it will helps becoming very focused on what ever you are doing. He told a story about an Irish musician who was staying at another monastery close by. He was teaching the monks how to play different instruments. Apparently they all picked up how to do it extremely quickly as they where all so super focused on what they where doing. I can kind of see how it works, as you practice and learn how to stay super focused. It makes sense that you would eventually become quite good at it. And its no divine mystical power involved at all. If it works, I think its great. Was actually thinking of giving it a go. If I would, it would be yet another surprise of something I never would have though I would do. Time will tell if it will happen or not.


What else? I have had my haircut today. Someone is covering Sydney in Knitting.


















So much stuff is covered. Trees, lampposts etc. It must be hours and hours of knitting behind it all.

I have also done a lot more cooking than usual. Found this fabulous recipe website. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/
Im checking out the Greek recipes.
For example this Spanakopita (click on the image to see the recipe)
















But this Greek omelet was even better. I dare say it was the best omelet I ever had. I was never big on omelets but this one really changed my mind. (click on the image to see the recipe )
















Oh, while we are talking about food. Last Saturday I had a Syrian breakfast. I type of a so called Fetteh. It looked something like this one I found on google.














Basically, there is a bottom layer of crispy baked pitta, then a layer of chickpeas, a layer of natural yogurt mixed with herbs, topped with pine-nutts and a poached egg. It was very savory and tasted very refreshing.

I have also come across this new cafe, lunch restaurant and evening bar, called Pocket. I realy enjoy all these little independet places that have popped up recently.




























I have been busy doing other stuff as well, I bought the domain www.howdiditgetthere.com as you can see the first stage is already live. I need a bit more content though, so you are likely to see the same images a few times in the row if you are unlucky. I got plans though. Probably going to change the format to a blog instead. In the near future.

I'm ending this long post with the only photo I took my self. Its taken with my phone so the quality is crap, but It will have to do. Some streets are scattered with these purple trees. they are not purple all year around. But it looks very unusual and spectacular.