Earlier this year,
BBC showed a new adaptation of War and Peace which I missed out on as I was away on a trip. ON my flight over to Korea, the flight had all 6 episodes and thought this would be my chance to get through the story that was only 2000 iPhone pages "read'.
After 2000 or so pages, I still had no idea who was who and I was going through the motions and every page I swiped I thought this novel had to be one of the worst on record.
As Woody Allen said about this novel -
it was something about Russia.
And yet, I was utterly engrossed and certain names rang a bell and I recalled there was a war going on somewhere and things starting falling into place. I should have fallen asleep to start adjusting to the new time zone and yet Napoleon wouldn't let up.
I was so worried about each and every character up till now even though I know they are ostensibly all dead.
I was so worried about each and every character up till now even though I know they are ostensibly all dead.
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I can see why people would want to reread the book as I am going to do so as well. But this is a book or rather TV adaptation that if I had seen as a teenager I would have moved to Russia the first chance I got.
Jet lag never gets easier and I am still exhausted nearly 2 weeks on but I am enjoying the seasonal fruits which are unparalleled to any fruit anywhere.
I am trying to store up some Vitamin D stores for my return to the British winter and going on gentle hikes to the local hill.
A retiree was carving traditional totem poles to line the hiking paths. Korea is always striving forward that only old people and foreigners appreciate these reminders of a more tribal history.
But back to present day Seoul, I am amazed at the gizmos a public hiking trail is equipped with.
The picture below is a air hose to blow away dust from your shoes and trousers.
My grandmother's dog is a sweetheart and always comes to nap with me.
My family did some replanting of a cactus plant that was growing like crazy so we went and transplanted cuttings.
This noodle dish with dumplings is a Korean Chinese dish that was brought over a century ago when the Shanghainese fled. It is one of my top 5 dishes in the world full stop and unfortunately only really properly made in Korea.
The bakeries in Seoul are on another level -
London despite its bread consumption has a terrible choice of bakeries - this is a half bread/half brioche type of loaf glazed with condensed milk.
Out of this world phenomenal.
I went to the hairdressers as I would prefer to do these type of errands without rushing.
There were cultural differences that I might write about on a future post but one thing I think hairdressers should learn from Korea is the lap pillow.
I had seen these lap pillows but never used them myself but they offered me it and it is almost an ergonomic tool for your arms to rest and there is a comfort of weight on your lap that is stabilising. Hard to explain but you have to try it!
Here's to a fun and productive October! x
I had hoped never to see War & Peace referenced with iPhone pages but will one day seek this film adapt. So glad someone made the effort to give it a lavish miniseries treatment.
ReplyDeleteLap pillow is a wonderful idea.
The BBC adaptation is wonderful and a testament that it caused war and peace novel sales to soar!
DeleteThose pillows are a great idea! Hoping the jet lag resolves very soon!
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
It might resolve the last few days I am here!!!! xx
DeleteFavorite memory of Korean-style pampering: lying on jade floor.
ReplyDeleteActually it's my only memory, the rest of the visit is just a cloud of euphoria.
My War and Peace effort: http://thewhiningdiner.blogspot.com/2014/08/lazy-august-and-why-im-not-spending-it.html
I have been doing a bit of jade floor steaming and scrubbing - pampering but without the namely pamby.
DeleteYour post on war and peace was a work of genius!! I remember it well :)
Ugh jet lag. I hope you feel better soon, it hangs on doesn't it. That bread looks so delicious, and how sensible is a lap pillow, that would help me out at the Beauty Shop where I spend the whole time fidgeting. I read War and Peace years ago and I could probably do a re-read but I've got a list of books to read right now long as my arm. I'm not sure what happened to September so a big yes to a lovely October ! XO
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for jet lag I would visit Asia a lot more often. The bread here is dare I say better than in France but the pastries are better there of course. Japan and Korea have made a niche in baking and Korea won the bread championships beating France so I hope London opens a bakery of this style soon bc I miss it so badly. You really should try and get the whole family on Sundays and watch this BBC version bc you would love it Dani xx
DeleteYour grandmother's pooch is SO adorable! I loved all your pics on IG. That brioche thingy looks amazing. I want one right now. I had a go reading Russian lit back in college. Thank God that's all over! I'm reading a book about Joan of Arc right now, it's pretty fascinating stuff. Is that VCA I spy on your wrist? Still thinking of one of their pendants. I may have to go with onyx, since turquoise is not coming back for awhile. I use a lap pillow every night to prop up the Joan of Arc book. I only went to Korea one time but I have very fond memories! xx
ReplyDeleteShe is a doll and bilingual too! I regret not doing Russian bc I always found the Russian psyche so interesting but never really delved but this has opened a vein of wanting to read more Russian books. It's the carnelian alhambra - the prices for turquoise keep going up so if I were you I would just buy at an auction - I can see you with either colour though Jill!! xx
DeleteI love jet lag! It's the only time I really get a good sleep. I'll admit never to have read War and Peace, although I enjoy getting into longer books. Tom Jones and Clarissa are two favorites, and among my great reading experiences. It must be nice to visit home, and get all that food cooked the way it should be. I have considered adopting a Korean grandmother, but will have to interview them carefully to find one who will never put ginger in the kimchee!
ReplyDelete--Jim
You must be one of those people that Nasa must do tests on Jim!! Don't bother reading it before your watch an adaptation - I suffered guilt for years then finally downloaded on my phone but it was just a haze. I will say Korean grandmothers are phenomenal and make up for the tiger mother hehe :)
DeleteThat is such a great idea! When we were little, 't sister and I always fought over throw pillows at my aunt's house that we called "fat pillows" because we thought we looked less fat holding a pillow. Anyway, there is something comfortable about a pillow in the lap. I might need to implement this in my salon! Glad you had such a nice trip complete with my favorite things-dogs and baked goods.
ReplyDeleteThe lap pillows have a slight curve light a boomerang to snug the body too and I bet your mum could whip a few very well sewn ones for you Stephen!
DeleteExciting that you are in Korea!
ReplyDeleteAm off to Kamalaya!
Hope you have a great time!
DeleteHave been a fan of the Russian novel since I was a teenager, beginning with Dostoyevsky when I was about 15. A bit young really but I didn't know that then and I became addicted. At 17 after seeing the Hollywood version of "War and Peace" with Audrey Hepburn as Natasha and loving the romance of it (especially the balcony and ballroom scenes) and the spectacle, I read it for the first time. I loved it. I've been reading it again about every ten years ever since. Each time I see different things that fascinate me that I hadn't noticed before. When I was a teenager it was mostly the romance. AS I get older I think more about other characters like Pierre and also other members of the Rostov family and the nature of Russia and the Russian soul.
ReplyDeleteSo every time there's a new production, whether a series or a film, I have to see it. There was a wonderful Russian version (two films if I remember correctly) - the Russian girl who played Natasha was superb. Fabulous in the scene where she dances the Russian folk dance - she really could dance and you could feel the whole psyche and emotion of Russia in that scene. Even Audrey was great in the dance scenes as she was ballet trained. While I really liked the latest serial version and the actress who played the role - her dancing was a bit disappointing compared with the other versions. Initially I wasn't sure about the actor playing Pierre but I warmed to him - we'd admired him very much in "Youth" by the director of "The Great Beauty".
So glad you liked the series, perhaps soon you'll give the novel a go?
Agree the traditional baguette in France is usually rather disappointing these days. In the past you could walk down almost any street in Paris or pull up in the smallest of villages in the countryside and know there'd be the perfect crunchy crust and soft light filling, perfect texture and perfect flavour. However, most of those little boulangeries have gone with the advent of supermarkets. It's rarely the artisan baker making his own loaves any more. There are still places - but can be hard to find. If you walk around the quartiers in Paris you'll see lovely old signs in the fabric of the buildings saying Boulangerie and sometimes even inscribed in art deco characters on the glass windows. But sadly they're mostly now clothing shops. Best wishes, Pammie
I want an air hose and a hairdressing pillow now, oh to say nothing of that delicious-looking bready thing. I must admit, most baked goods in the UK are not that great (with the exception of fresh cream cakes!). Here in SF we are so thankful to have some of the best bread I've ever tasted anywhere and my UK family agree when they come and visit.
ReplyDeleteReally, the best thing about traveling is discovering all the little quirky things and the food scene. Sometimes, just a little pillow could enrich one's life.
I always enjoy your Korean posts. I get the sense that a lot of thought is put into comfort and neatness. The air thingy at the national park is one thing, as is the cushion.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, War and Peace, the book, was not a success for me. I will try again once my kids have grown up and left home. Until then my permanently addled and sleep deprived brain cannot keep all those characters straight! Enjoy the rest of your trip x