![]() The following week, Galiya, a woman I had met only once before at the Google I/O conference in 2015, offered me her own bedroom for two days. His father recently received a medal and dagger from Vladimir Putin, who described the acts of bravery by the British Navy as the only time Westerners have ever truly helped Russia. Later that week, Michael introduced me to his ninety-year-old father, who served in the British Navy during WWII and helped escort weapons and resources from the United States to Russia by sea. On Thursday, Michael met me near Cutty Sark on his bike, and he and his wife Lynne offered me a beautiful bedroom in Greenwich. And a few days later, she offered me a part-time, remote software engineering job working with her startup, Carefreebreaks (which I accepted!). She introduced me to Founders and Coders, which is connected with Gaza Sky Geeks and has opened a coding school in the West Bank. On Wednesday, Charlotte gave me a comprehensive breakdown of the Palestinian tech industry over mushroom pasta in Peckham Rye. Jude is a filmmaker and storyteller, and we spent quiet afternoons discussing spirituality, right livelihood, and creativity. One morning, we took refuge in yoga class another evening, she introduced me to an amazing panel featuring African-British artists in a variety of mediums (journalism, radio, sculpture, painting/muraling). ![]() On Monday, Jude and her husband Matt hosted me in Walthamstow. Palestinian flag captured in street art in Trafalgar Square, London Offering my own gifts: deep listening, tech skills, a homemade meal or thank you card when appropriate. The rest of my time in London felt like I was floating downstream in a river: surrendering to the present, asking for help, resting rather than doing anything. I basked in the warm glow of generosity of so many, including folks I had never met before. And another few offered company, tea, and connections while I was in town. I had housing offers from five or six different people for the eighteen days. Two sanghas in the Plum Village tradition would meet at the Westminster Quaker Meeting House near Trafalgar Square: I would attend both to meditate, calm down, and let my doubt settle.īy the end of Saturday, after two incredible sangha meetings ( Heart of London and Wake Up London), I was dancing to live drums with Wake Up friends at Buddhafield, an eclectic gathering of spiritual British folks. Before jumping onto another plane, I decided to take Saturday to rest. What was I doing here? I touched doubt and fear, and considered heading home to volunteer for the elections after all. ![]() I panicked: I had no stable source of income, no friends in London to visit, and no reliable plans for France. On my first full day in London, I discovered that the visas of my Palestinian friends were delayed by two weeks, meaning that I would have to extend my surprise stay in London by twelve days. Three weeks of joy in London (October 18 - November 5, 2018)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |