PulpLit.net

Perth, Lhasa and a very strong music recommendation

My partner and I have just returned from a trip that confirms us as Ridiculous Jetsetters, if I don't say so myself. Even for two folks that escape Bangkok at least every four weeks, a trip to Australia for the weekend could be seen as a little bit extreme. But, in the end, it could not be avoided, as I had some beloved family staying briefly in Perth and the window of opportunity was small (and the holidays left shrinking rapidly). It was a glorious weekend, packed full of happy wandering, eating, coffee drinking and general family revelry. Perth (and more to the point, Fremantle) is a glorious place, low key enough to relax, but hip and happening enough to provide an endless supply of excellent coffee, interesting food, and micro-brewed IPA. No complaints. The weather even cooperated, so we missed soggy rainsoaked Bangkok for a few days. This coming weekend is Buddhist Lent, so we in fact have another four day weekend, and as of yet, nothing much to do with it. I should note that there have only been two full working weeks since the beginning of April, as it has been an absolutely delightful overload of public holidays. Working for the guv'r'mint, as I do, we get even more than the average joe (or, Lek, as I should rightfully say, given my locale).

In important other news, they've just opened a train link from Beijing to Lhasa. That's just krazy kool, though if someone wants to point me to the environmental impact statement, I might be feeling differently. And I am sure in six months, the tragedy of a new tourist trap will make the journey completely unbearable, and the loss of migrant cultures will almost certainly make this train a continental regret in a decade. At this moment, however, going up 5,500 meters in an oxygen-rich train sounds pretty much amazing; seeing Tibet in such a way sounds like a miracle.

And finally, I have a very strong musical recommendation for you: Feist has a most delightful record called Let It Die, which I highly recommend you have a listen to. Eclectic doesn't even being to sum it up.