One Authentic Life

I am a supporter of the philosphy `If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.I once Google Street Viewed my entire way around Paris before arriving at Charles De Gaulle.

However, despite lengthy travel research, things can go downhill or downpour…very quickly.

Last autumn I bought a train ticket and headed off from Victoria Station in London to Brighton. I pre booked my accommodation on Airbnb. I quickly unpacked and in the hurry to head off and fully explore Brighton, I swung around too enthusiastically and my protruding umbrella whacked a lamp off a side table. It flew across the room and smashed into pieces. I stepped outside and was greeted with a DOWNPOUR. Great…

Despite this I was determined to still see the city; unfortunately my flimsy, floral umbrella didn’t agree with my sentiments. I walked, and walked and walked…. and, at some point I realised that I was totally lost. (I’m convinced that there is some invisible magnetic field that absorbs one’s natural sense of direction in Brighton). I was hungry, lost, and my umbrella had decided to turn itself into an inside-out contraption. I hauled out my phone in an attempt to locate myself but was unable to see through the pestering rain droplets continuously congregating on my screen. I declared an emergency but sadly nobody was nearby to assist! I became a woman on a mission. Find warmth and shelter from the brumous clouds and rain. Fast!

I noticed onion domes jutting up across the skyline. Was it a mirage caused by the extreme cold and an insufficient intake of caffeine? No, it was in fact, the bulbous Indo-Islamic domes of the Royal Pavilion. An exotic palace in the middle of British Brighton?! Bright colours, glistening crystals, the Indian architecture with opulent Chinese interiors make this a fun, frivolous feast for the eyes.

After perusing the palace, I found myself transported to a palace of another kind – a palatial pancake place, The Creperie. Batter hitting the sizzling butter was a most welcome aroma to my nearly frozen nose. This palace was not clad with gold trimmings, but, what was on offer was like gold to me. Crepes, and not just any crepes, a combination of French haute cuisine and quirky British style. A crepe fit for royalty arrived oozing with nutella and caramelised banana from its sides. I devoured this pancake with a ferocity that left the waitron with a transfixed glare…Oh crepe, it was good!

When travel plans go awry, make memories out of mishaps.