A random act of kindness

Balloons on the Hammersmith and City Line, London

It was a grey Saturday in January and we were battling with the usual problem of trying to go somewhere by tube on a Saturday. There were engineering works on some lines and there was a strike on the Bakerloo Line. We needed to be in Maida Vale and it was turning into an epic trek from south east London to  the north west. Three adults, one toddler and a buggy were on a mission.

Eventually we boarded the final carriage on a Hammersmith and City line train and were delighted to discover it was all done up for a party. There were balloon animals strap hanging from the rails and heart shaped balloons were bobbing in front of our eyes. The toddler giggled and raised his hands out in gleeful expectation. The adults smiled and took photos. How did they get there? Why were they there? Who knows. I do know that this random act of kindness made up for a lot that day. It reminded me that it is the small things in life that often make it all worthwhile.

So, what random act of kindness will you do today?  

Christmas tree in Sol

Puerta de Sol Saturday 12 December 2009

The streets are packed with festivities. Families are descending on the capital city to admire the lights, the many trees and belenes and to shop for their own fun items and of course, Christmas presents. It is amusing to see whole families dressed in reindeer hats or a spiralling santa hats and fun coloured wigs. The tiny children are taken to Cortylandia at the famous Corte Ingles department store and stare wide eyed at the colourful characters above them as they sit on their parents shoulders amongst the inevitable bobbing balloon characters. This is a Madrid institution apparently and the lyrics to the Cortylandia song are much loved. Whenever I ask my students about it, they smile nostalgically and all warn me away from visiting it if I don't like children!

I have become fascinated by belenes - the model reproductions of the nativity scene which take on many forms. Some of the biggest are the size of whole towns. There are tiny shop window ones and lifesize street ones and everything in between. You can spend a small fortune on creating your own belen and I am shocked at the cost of some of the items - we are talking hundreds of euros!