But first, revisiting last night …

As I was finishing off my meal of pie and mash, I became aware of the plate below.  Familiar.  And then my eyes spread wide.  In front of me was a dinner plate from my 1970 life.  I had my server bring me a clean one for you to see:

I was a 21-year-old bus boy in the dining room of the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Canada.  I was basically scared of everyone, and especially the manager – Mr. Hayes.  He snarled a lot.

Make sure the birds fly high!

Woe was the bus boy who placed the dinner plate upside down.  And it all came back to me yesterday.  I’m a lot happier now … 54 years later.

***

And just now at a sidewalk table of Dilara’s Café.  Such a gracious woman serving me.  Maybe she’s Dilara.  Here’s my view:

In contrast was the force of an impatient driver.  Imagine two lanes of traffic, both going the same way.  A little further on, the right lane curves to the right and the left one to the left.  A driver in the right lane swerves into the left, and then pushes their way into a small space in the right, about six cars further.  And everyone is waiting at a red light.  All to save a few seconds.  (Sigh)

***

Tonight I’m taking a Jack the Ripper Tour in Whitechapel, seeing some of the sites of his horrendous murders.  Rarely have I been on location at moments of history.

Seeking a place for dinner near the rendezvous spot, I heard a man chanting above the din of street life.  Across the street stood the East London Mosque.  I was hungry … but more for experience than food.

Welcomers welcomed me, asked me to take off my shoes, and escorted me to a chair.  I had never been inside a Muslim place of worship before but I was invited.

I sat next to 83-year-old Suleman who quietly helped me in the moments when the Imam (~ “Priest”) wasn’t chanting.

Most of the faithful knelt on the floor.  Often they would lean forward and touch their forehead to the carpet in reverence to the Divine and the prophet Muhammad.

There was a softness in the air, and after the prayers were completed, a few smiles turned my way … including Suleman.

***

And now I move towards Jack.  I’ll share all tomorrow