FAVORITES

It was night. All around her fireworks crackled and detonated, their brilliant colours erupting for miles around her, painting the night sky in a disorganised frenzy of sparkling confetti. It was such a beautiful evening, warm sand between her toes and the fresh, salty ocean air filling her lungs. Her favourite. She gazed out past the waves into eternity, suddenly realising that she really was completely alone in the universe.

At scattered intervals they torpedoed high into the sky bursting agog with vivid brilliance. Then soft, glittering feathers, as shooting stars they melted away to burn out in the azure of the midnight sky. It was the Diwali festival of lights in Chennai, India, and its unhinging chaos attracted her like a moth to the flame. Celebrated but once a year, it spiritually signifies light over darkness. And being there was something she would not soon forget.

But there was no time for that. She must go to Rome, Italy. To the Colleseum, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Vatican Museum. And the fascinating Sistine Chapel, where she gazed in all consuming awe at Michelangelo's Creation Of Adam, all too iconic to humanity. God's right arm is outstretched to impart the spark of life from his own finger into that of Adam, mankind, whose left arm is extended in a pose mirroring God's, a reminder that man is created in the image and likeness of God. And then, she would walk for all hours of the night in search of her favourites, pizza and gelato.

And then what? Where was she now?

In Bangladesh, playing cricket with 5 locals in the dark, on the rooftop of a building in Dhaka. A favourite, completely random and a tad deranged, experience. And in London dancing until dawn in an upscale nightclub. Ah, the British accent, her favourite! The never ending list of things to do in this city, their style, their social confidence, their tube, the rain! She loved how alive London is at any time day or night. There is never too much sightseeing, clubbing nor shortage of tea to drink. Yes God, do save the Queen. And Will, Kate and George. (And their other little bundle of joy on the way, which I hope they name 'Excalibur')

Nearly another month gone by, but, never fear my pretties. The best is yet to come. And oh, it will be fine.

Miss Bailey