Dog Days · Cat Time: London Travel Notes by Han Lianglu

Author: Han Lianglu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features:
Recalling the days I spent in London, most of the time I was truly like a quiet yet mysterious cat, always gnawing on books in a corner of the house that delved into ancient Egyptian civilizations, as far as the stars in the universe. Otherwise, I would be like a cat playing with a ball of thread, tending to the intricate twists in the depths of my soul. When the rare sunshine of London danced on the corner of the opposite house, when the fragrant aroma of fried sugar pastries from the neighboring Spanish pastry shop drifted to my window, and when the saxophonist at the street corner played "Summer Time" once again, my curious inner dog would start to stir.
On many days of freedom, I would roam the streets and alleys of London like an unowned stray dog, searching for treasures in antique markets, lingering in cafes and tea lounges, stimulating my brain waves in museums, and eavesdropping on news at book stalls. Living in London, I looked outward at the world and inward at myself. I truly hope this travel journal can convey the charm and feelings of this life that is both serene and lively, and I also hope readers can share with me the snippets of life where I acted both like a cat and a dog during the five years I lived in London, and the following five years of coming and going.