THE UNHERALDED FOGGY DAY TO CANTERBURY

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

The sky was clear and the sun was shining bright which revived the wilted grasses and became green once again. In the car, we were full of joy and happiness and from the window, handsome trees on the verges of the road resembled robust twigs. Their leaves disappeared but underneath their bald features was healthy living trees. Gradually, the clear blue sky was replaced by developing misty clouds and by heavy fog. On the way to our destination, thick lying clouds covered the road and everything visible became challenging to our naked eyes. We drove very slowly and then, I felt we were driving through an eerie ghost town. What a creepy experience and shuddersome imagination of mine! 

When we were in the heart of the Cathedral city, Canterbury, the challenging cottony cloud increasingly became clearer and thinner. We followed the street signs but our noviceness around the city directed us to inaccurate routes. We laughed and drove back until we found our way going on to their High Street via Rose Lane and Parade.

I was very excited to know more of Canterbury because tourists had various views about their one day escapade. Driving for hours in this chilly weather will make you weary and also, you would long for a hot drink. That is why, we picked the first restaurant we found and had our chosen brunch meal with hot drinks. We sat and stretched our legs after that foggy journey.

There were cobblestone alleys with local and known corporate retail stores. We walked on Burgate which guided us to locate the Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral's Precincts. A regal designed arched doorway built in 1517 with a sturdy ornate bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ which I read was a replacement as the original was damaged; 12 beautiful figures of angels and delicately restored carved miniature castle banners/flags. Apart from the precincts' well-preserved beauty, an elevated 20-foot tall stone monument cast with crucifix on the very top, valour dignitaries and banners was erected outside and enclosed by a metal fence. These were the extravaganzas of the Cathedral located on Sun Street, Strada and infront of the Mercery Lane. 

( Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral's Precincts)

(20-foot tall Stone Monument)

 

I wasn't able to explore the inside of Canterbury Cathedral as to see its historical and majestic beauty wasn't free. They posted a notice and read as “The Cathedral Precincts' Entrance Charges” which ranges from £8.00 to £32.00. I was down in the mouth for a little while but noted that the pretty penny charges has been keeping the Cathedral in pristine condition. On the other hand, you can still enter for free if your main reason for visiting the Cathedral is to pray solemnly. 

The disappointment soon vaporised and was replaced with excitement as we ventured around the rest of the alleys. It reminded me of York but the thought of comparison wasn't a great idea at all. For me, Canterbury as a Cathedral city offered frustrating and shocking revelations as it offered less breathtaking buildings and wasn't so awe-inspiring. Yes, they have the Cathedral which was barricaded with charges before you could see its illustrious majestic beauty. There are also cobblestone roads which reminded me of strong horses pulling and carrying carriages in the earlier periods. On the contrary, their elongated high street starting from Fenwick Building on St. George's Street up to Heraldic arched passageway of Westgate Towers was occupied mostly by the uniformity of known corporate high street brands. It was akin to the bustling Oxford Street in Central London.

(Heraldic Arched Passageway of Westgate Towers)

  

Yes, the letdown feeling vanished for awhile but it transpired when I couldn't find more awe-inspiring and wondrous gems in every alley we traversed through. In my own opinion, the city upholds and shelters nothing apart from their famous Cathedral, Royal Museum and Free Library.

Generally speaking, there is nothing bad about corporate retail store brands who have been injecting money into the council's pot and the city itself. They bring-in people and attract consumers which make a high street/ town centre livelier and more buoyant. Sad but true, known brands have been successful in the trading business as more and more people are getting conscious about the labels over quality. Isn't it preferably right? 

I didn't dream of shattering my day nor would kept on sulking while wandering around the city because of frustrations. That is why, I looked for something delightful and uplifting to make most of my day worthwhile. I found an admirably handsome tree just next to a brick & flintstones- wall which was over towering with branches like a witches' broom or an octopus' tentacles. There was also the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge known as the central museum, library and art gallery of the city. A listed building designed by the architect and City surveyor A.H. Campbel in 1897 and was opened to the public on the 11th of September 1898. What I liked more about it was the welcomingly unpretentious Tudor revival facade. Yes, the Cathedral city has free gems after all which were erected on the verges of their high street. 

(Admirably Handsome Tree)

(Beaney House of Art and Knowledge)

 

We sat in a cafe after hours of exploring and relaxed with hot drinks on our table. We were on the first floor of the cafe's building which had narrow windows for us to see the outside aerial view of the city. It was heartwarming on such a cold misty day to see loving families together and jovial students enjoying the company of their closest friends.

I haven't explored everything in Canterbury especially the world renowned Cathedral (maybe I will go to pray!). I am sure that there are lots of gems waiting for me. That is why, I will venture further next time especially when the sun is shining; when the twiddling humming bees are basking around and the colourful flowers in fully bloom.

MY HOLY WEEK IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD
 

(Photo courtesy of joycarol.com)

When I was young!

My childhood memory is still very sharp, I can even recall what happened in our street during the Holy Week. We lived in a residential compound before, where most of my Father's siblings and their families were there too. The street is also a mini-compound as most of the homeowners are 'Kapampangans '.

Kapampangans or Pampangenos are the sixth largest Filipino Ethnolinguistic group that occupy the Central Luzon region in the Philippines. The province of Pampanga is their traditional homeland. They are devout Roman Catholic that display unique religious festivals. One of the most dramatic festivals that accompany an indigenous flavour is during  'Mal ay Aldo', which is the Kapampangan expression for the Holy Week.

(Photo courtesy of Google Image)

As we were given a few days break from school, that was prior to the festival. The street was temporarily closed for a week and a few days to all commercial vehicles as part of the preparation. Our elders built their plans for the event. These include the Shrine/Chapel, where the story of Christ is chanted in archaic Kapampangan.

I can still remember the highlight of the procession. A few men covered in blood due to self- flagellation. Their faces were covered with a piece of cloth and worn a wreath on their heads that was made of thorns. And, as this was a re-enactment of Christ' suffering, I saw a bare-footed man, who led the men covered in blood going to the Shrine. He carried on his shoulder a crucifix that was almost as twice as his height and weighs heavier than him.

(Photo courtesy of Google Image)

They stopped for awhile in front of the Shrine before they continued walking and suddenly, the gate of our compound was opened wide. Our elders welcomed the weary men and helped them in washing their bodies. The compound's parking ground was silhouetted in blood!

A car was parked outside, waiting for these men to get inside the car. Our elders guided them to the car as their faces were still covered with a cloth. A few of the elders, who owned motorcycles convoyed the car going to a clandestine place. A place where they revealed their true selves and their profiles remained very private.

It is not just the re-enactment that I can only store in my memory!

The joy of eating 'halo-halo' with my friends and relatives before noon time was a pleasurable memoir. This is a combination of crashed ice, cooked fruits, fruit jam, evaporated milk and sugar. Aside from that there was a special desert for a special occasion called 'Bibingka'. This dessert was prepared by my Aunt and she started baking it when the sun sets and sold to hungry visitors and bystanders. Her collapsible booth was just in front of our compound.

This dramatic event was passed onto my elders and is still happening every year in the Philippines. It is a traditional procession that allows people to witness and feel the 'pasion' (Christ' suffering).